Evening star., 1895-03-04

(Minn.), Harrison (Ala.), English (Cal.),
Marshall Wa). Van voorhees, Ohto) and
Lapham R. l.
Two or three insignificant resolutions
connected with the routine of the House
were passed. Members realized that 1t was
too late to push bills. They were simply
waiting for the end to come. Another re-
cess for fifteen minutes was taken.
Ladies ON the Floor.
At II 80 Mr.. Hatch asked unanimous con-
sent that for the remainder Of the session
the wives and families Of members who
were unable to gain admission to the gal
leries be allowed to come upon the hoor
of the House.
The Speaker replied that under the rules
he could not submit the request.
Mr.. Hatch then created much amusement
by submitting the request himself ana
hearing no objections he ordered the door
keepers to admit the ladies.
The ladies crowded through the doors
and down aisles, taking every seat that
was vacant. The committee appointed to
wait on the President with Mr.. Catch1ngs
as spokesman then appeared, and informed
the Speaker that the President had no
further communication to make to Con-
gress.
Mr. Cannon Ul) then obtained recogni
tion and in a graceful speech offered a
resolution of thanks to the Speaker. Such
a resolution usually comes from one Of the
leaders of the minority.
Compliments to Speaker Crisp.
'Mr Speaker" said Mr.. Cannon, 'in
government by the people majority can
only manifest its will through organization
and cooperation. This necessarily be-
comes a government through parties and
begets two great party organizations, Whlch
from time to time change places from the
majority party. Sharp antagonisms result
between the parties and between 1ndivfd-
Eals as they stand for parties and policies
In this, the greatest legislative body on
earth, the Speaker for the time being Is
the greatest individual factor. He must,
within proper bounds. subserve the inter-
ests of his party and at the same time ac-
cord to the minority the rights to which 1t
Is entitled. The Fifty-third Congress is
about to pass into history. Before 1t ex-
pires 1t is my privilege and pleasure, as
one of the minority, to testify my appre-
citation Of the fairness and courtesy OF the
Speaker of the House. I. therefore. send
this resolution to the clerks desk. and ask
that it be read, and move its adoption.
The resolution was as follows:
Resolved, That the thanks Of the mem
bers of the House be extended to the
Speaker of the House for the able, impair
tial and dignified manner inv hich he has
presided over the deliberations Of this
House and performed the arduous duties OF
the chair
great burst of applause greeted the pre-
sentstion of MI. Cannon's resolution, and.
rs soon as order was restored, Mr.. Hatch
Of Missouri, who was in the chair, recog-
nized Mr.. Wilson, the chairman Of the
ways ana means COmmlttee.
Mr.. Wilson's Remarks.
Responding on the spur of the moment"
said he, "I desire to say that we on this
side are duly appreciative Of the graceful
and courteous action Of the gentleman from
Illinois. 1t is a pleasant thing that at the
close of Congress in which there has been
SO much political legislation and party an
tagonism we on both sides are able to tes-
tify to the impartiality of the presiding
officer. No position In the federal govern
ment requires, in my opinion, more ability
no officer is subjected to such pressure, or
in the clash of party opinion to such temp
tation, to incline to his party friends; and
1t Is pleasant thing that we can all unite
in the adoption of this resolution. (Ap-
plause) 1 wish to add one more word: One
of the pleasantest things about service in
this House, as I have found it, is that the
sharpest political antagonisms do not make
personal estra1gements. 1 understand this
generally party differences beget personal
antagonism5.
However ardent and Jealous we may be
as partisans, it is the worth of the man
that fixes his position in the respect and
esteem of his fellow members. This is a
happy augury for the future work Of this
body" loud applause)
of the third party, was then recognized
and Joined in the testimonial to the kind
ness. goodness and fairness of the
Speaker"
1T is" said he, "but another illustration
of the manliness of the American citizen
that when placed in position Of honor
and power he has respect for all shades of
opinion, and treats all alike"
After a few words by Mr.. Grosvenor on
the same lines, Mr.. Hatch, who was in the
chair. called for a rising vote on the reso-
luton. Every member on the floor save
Mr.. Reed of Maine and Mr.. Dalzell Of
PennSNlyanfA Mr.
Hatch declared the resolution unanimously
adopted.
Speaker Crisp's Valedfctory.
A moment later. when Speaker Crisp
ascended the rostrum. the applause and
cheering were renewed, and 1t was fully a
minute before the demonstration ceased.
The Speaker bowed his Acknowledgements,
and after hearing Mr.. Cannon's resolution
read. he delivered his valedictory.
Representatives" said he, 81 know you
will pardon me. If, before performing my
last official act, I give some expression to
what feel, not only in regard to the reso-
luton which you have just so kindly
adopted. but in respect to the uniform
Kindness, courtesy and consideration with
which have been treated by every MEM
ber of this body. Persons who are un-
acquainted with the methods of procedure
here have but little conception of the
trials. the troubles and the difficulties of
legislation in so large a body as this.
'Tihs is the largest Congress that ever
assembled in the United States, consisting
of 356 members, besides the delegates. These
gentlemen are representative men. They
represent all the shades of thought and
opinion in all parts of the grandest country
under the sun. Naturally and indeed neces-
sarily, under such conditions. there is at
times great strife and struggle upon the
floor for the maintenance of the particular
views Of individuals, and earnest effort for
the constitution of particular measures.
The difficulties of the presiding officer arise
largely from this, that whereas there are
perhaps 1900 or 1900 bills introduced IN
a Congress, in the nature of things but
small part of them can have consideration.
If all the measures introduced could be
considered and acted upon by the House,
then the duties of the presiding officer and
for the members would be rendered much
less difficult; but when only small portion
of measures introduced can be considered,
there is necessarily a struggle to deter
mine what those particular measures shall
be, and from year to year this difficulty in
creases. The present occupant Of the chair
and he feels that in making this express
sion he but echoes the experience of every
one of his predecessors no conception
Of the difficulties incident to the office of
Speaker. That he has been enabled in any
measure to discharge the duties Of this Of
fee to your satisfaction is most largely due