The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-05
CLOSED With DOX0L0CY
Amusing Incidents of the Last Hours
Of Fifty-Third Congress.
GENERAL HILARITY PREVAILED
Crowds Anxious to Witness the Closing
Ceremonies Arc Unable to obtain
Seats in the Galleries-The
Retiring Senators.
BY the United Press.

marked with the dignity which charac-
terizes that body on formal occasions
OF state. in the presence of as many
spectators as could possibly crowd into
the galleries. Hundreds and hundreds
of others were disappointed in their en-
deavors to witness the end, and were
obliged to content themselves with
standing in line outside the entrances
to the galleries.
That the house is actually, as well as
constitutionally, the popular branch
of the legislature was amply proved
by the flattering attendance of specta-
tors. Those who failed to find seats
there wandered over to the senate only
to be again disappointed, and many
contented themselves with attending
the session of the supreme court.
AS early as 7 o'clock spectators be-
gan to appear. and it is worthy of re-
mark that the first comers We're women
By 9 o'clock the galleries were comfort
ably filled, at 10 the last seat had been
taken. and fifteen minutes later people
were thronging the corridors outside
the gallery doors in the hope that they
might have opportunity of seeing the
Democratic house pass into history.
The members on the floor made merry
as the clock hands moved on rapidly
towards the hour of adjournment The
great majority, who We're not coming
back to the sessions of the Fifty-fourth
congress. passed among their col
leagues saying goodbyes. Little groups
gathered here and there and expressed
their relief that the agony was over in
telling stories and expressing what
then intended to do as private citizens.
1t was a noisy, good natured throng.
Taffy for Speaker Crisp.
The house had taken recess at SIS
o'clock this morning after dsposing Of
the naval appropriation bill, which was
passed exactly as it came from the
senate. At 8 o'clock the house re-as-
sembled and spent the time until noon
with an interim of one hour and fifteen
minutes in recess, disposing of meas
ures of minor Importance and in pass
ing resolutions complimentary to
Speaker Crisp. These resolutions were
presented by Mr.. Cannon (Rep., Ill) for
the Republicans upon the refusal of Mr..
Reed to be a party to the matter. Mr..
Reed, probably with the emphatic decll-
nation of the Democrats to endorse his
administration of the speakership fresh
In his mind, also refrained from voting
on the resolutions. Mr.. Wilson, of West
Virginia, the Democratic leader and the
new postmaster general, made his vale
dictory in complimenting Speaker
Crisp.
Replying to these Mr.. Crisp made an
eloquent speech. He expressed his feel
ing not only regarding the resolution,
but in respect to the courtesy and con-
sideration with which he has been
treated. Speaker Crisp announced the
appointment of Representative Cul-
bertson, of Texas, Democrat, in place
Of Mr.. Catchings, of mississippi, Demo-
crat, as heretofore announced, and Rep
resentative Hit. of Illinois, Republi-
can, to serve with himself as delegates
to the International Monetary confer
ence. The appointment of Mr.. Culbert-
son together with Mr.. Crisp will give
the free silver advocates two more men,
bers on the delegation, while the be-
levers in a gold standard have a soli-
tary representative in Mr.. Hit.
The clock hands had come together
marking the noon hour, and without
further ado the speaker brought his
gavel down on the desk and declared
the house adjourned sine die.
They Sang the Doxoiogy.
A cheer went up from the floor, but it
died away quickly, as a number of cor
respondents in the press gallery sang
the doxology.
They were cheered heartily on con-
at,,It h. 80
people passed out of the chamber and
the scenes of the Fifty-third congress
were at an an end.
The last message which the president
sent to congress was to tender congrat-
ulations at the conclusion of its labors.
Senator Voorhees,, of the joint commit
tee Of the senate and house, in deliver
ing that message, did so in spirit Of
humorous gravity, which led irresisti-
bly, to an outburst of laughter and ap-
plause in the senate chamber and in
the galleries packed with spectators.
During the brief session of the senate,
beginning at 8 a. m. and terminating
at noon, there was little done except
the receiving of messages from the
house requesting the signature of the
The last two appropriation bills-the
naval and deficiency-were signed at
$50 a. m. and $50 a. m. respectively,
and were then transmitted to the presi-
dent.
More Fun with Mr.. Call.
The winding up scenes were enlivened
BY a discussion between Senators
h1a and GRAY (nan,
DELI upon the Behring sea seal fisher
les question, and by highly amusing
discussion between Senator Call and
Senators German, Aldrich and Wal
colt In reference to Mr.. Calls resolu-
ton for a special committee to invest1-
gate the doings of the Louisiana OF
Honduras Lottery company. In his in
dignation at the failure of his propo-
sition Mr.. Call did not hesitate at de-
claring that the religious and moral
people Of the country would supply the
expenses for the investigation, which
Mr.. German desired to SUPPRESS" and
when Mr.. Aldrich intimated that Mr.
Calls purpose was to affect politics In
sfida and not to promote morality
the Florida senator pr ed Mr.. AL.
drich's statement as untrue and with.
out any warrant except that senators
''desire to promote lotteries In the
United States" Mr.. Wolcott's opposl.
tion was met with the assertion that
that senator never failed to speak in the
interest of foreign corporation.
Mr.. Call was In the full tide Of pas
! sionate defamation against those sena.
tors who opposed the resolution, when
the vice-president rose, delivered his