The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-04
The Wind-up Of the Fifty
Third Congress.
No Excitement in the Closing Pro-
ceedings and Last Gasp.
Naval Bill Amendments Accepted
Light Attendance During Morning.

WASHINGTON, March 4.--The Senate at
4:05 a. m. took recess till a. m.
When the hours of the recess came
to close, the chamber presented very
foriorn and deserted appearance. There
were only half dozen Senators
present-two on the Democratic side and
four on the Republican-and there was
apparently no business to be attended
to. Another recess for q quarter of an
hour was ordered; and matters driftsd
along in that way until hslf-past Q, when
Mr.. Towle, chief clerk of the House, ap-
peared and announced that the Speaker
had signed the naval bill (the last
but one of the appropriation bills),
and he delivered it to the
Senate for the signature Of the Vice Fresi.
dent. In another moment the Vice Presi-
announced that he had signed it; and 1t
was Immediately returned to the House,
ard was by the House committee carried
to the White House for the signature Of
of the President.
At IL o'clock noon the Senate adjourned
sine die.
House..
Washington, March Ain the discus.
sion of the Naval bill last night Mr..
Boutelle said it was a strange thing that
the House should abdicate its right to
send the bill to the conference. He did not
accuse the Senate of having un-
necessarily delayed the presentation of
the bill to the House; but thore had been
delay, and he did not propose that the re-
sponsibility for the backdown OF he
House should rest on his shoulders, but
on the shoulders of the gentlemen in
charge of the bill.
Mr.. Dolliver (Rep., Ia.), protested
against hasty action on the bill, while Mr..
Springer (DeY.. ILL.,, said, as the Senate
had adjourned, it was necessary to vote
on the bill Immediately in order that it
should become law.
Mr.. Talbot maintained that II the
House did not act at once there was
grave doubt that the bill would be-
come a law. He said the bill as
amended provided for two "great big
battleships," six gunboats and three
torpedo boats, and gave ample en-
couragement to the merchant marine.
Mr.. Boutelle said he would never sur
render to the other end of the capitol or
to the other end of the avenue (the Exc
cutive Mansion) and urged conference.
Mr.. Hull (Rep., Ia,), wanted a separate
vote on each Senate amendment, but Mr..
Talbot moved to suspend the rules and
pass the bill. Despite the protests Of Mr..
put the question. Tellers were de-
manded and appointed. The vote
by, tellers proceeded slowly few
Republicans voting. Mr.. Reed
(Rep., Me.) came to the rescue at this
point and after an earnest talk with Mrs
Boutelle, that gentleman said he had sak
isfied his conscience In a protest agains
having the House agree to the Senat
amendments when 1t knew nothing abou
them. He Withdrew his demand TO
tellers.
Mr.. Talbot mede an earnest appeal fol-
an agreement to the Senate amendments,
and after Mr.. Boutelle had again pro-
tested that he was in no way responsible
for the back down the motion to sus-
pend the rules was put to the House,
which, on division, concurred in the Sem
ate amendments and passed the bill, yeas
$50, nays g. The Republicans did not
vote.
The House then, at 3:16 a. M, took re-
cess until o'clock.
Only IA members we're present when
Speaker Crisp called the House to order at
o'clock.
A Senate bill for the relief OF Margaret
Kennedy, widow of executrix OF John
Kennedy, was passed by unanimous con-
sent on motion of Mr.. Baker (Rep., N.
H.
Mr.. Grosvenor (Rep., Ohio,) precipitat-
ed debate on the silver question by his
severe structures upon the Populist
party. lie characterized it as party
small in number and which would be
smaller in the next Congress. He
contonded that IL the international
monetary conference shall prove a sue
cess many OF those gentlemen comprising
that party will be out OF a job. He did
not believe that II bimetalism at 1e 10
could be accomplished and taken out OF
politics they would agree te IL.
Promptly Mt noon Speaker Crisp de-
n II. = l..