Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-06-12
CLOSING SCENES IN CONGRESS

Teu ScCOal
CLOSING SCENES IN CONGRESS.
Vice President Stevenson brought
the session of the Senate to a final close
at four o'clock yesterday evening, after
a valedictory, expressing his thanks to
Senators for courtesies to him through
out the session. The closing scene
was not of the dramatic order, but was
marked by the placid serenity charac-
teristic of the upper branch of Congress.
One of the last acts was to give the i'm
portant immigration bill parliamen.
tary status, by which 1t secures the
right of way as soon as the Senate re-
assemblies. Senators Smith and Sher-
man, who were named to make the
usual call on the President, reported
that there was no further communica-
tions from the chief executive. Resolu-
tions of thanks were unanimously
adopted to Vice President Stevenson
and president pro tenn Frye for their
impartial rulings in the chair.
A few moments before the hour set
for adjournment the Vice President
raped the Senate to order and said
'Senstors, I am deeply touched by
the resolutions personal to myself
adopted by the Senate. 1t has been
my earnest endeavor impartially to
execute the rules prescribed for the
guidance of this body. For the aid you
have so generously given mein the dis
charge of the duties that pertain to this
Office, as we'll as for the cour-
tesy uniformly shown nae, 1 am pro-
foundly grateful. And now, wishing
each of you safe return to home and
constituents, it only remains for me to
declare the first session of the Fifty
fourth Congress adjourned without
day."
As soon as the Vice President had
announced the session closed, the gal
leries emptied, Senators exchanged
good-byes, and many arranged to leave
for their homes at once.
The final session of the House was de-
void of public interest. The appropria-
tons bill had been passed, and the
members simply waited for the end to
come. A number of the members were
made happy by the passage of small
local bills of interest to their districts.
To Gen. Wheeler belonged the dis
tinction of securing the passage of the
last bill. Beyond little misunder-
standing between Mr.. Bailey, of Texas,
and Mr.. Marsh, of Illinois, the utmost
good feeling prevailed. There was an
attempt by Mr.. Bailey and Mr.. Ma
guire, of California, to precipitate po-
litical discussion in the last half hour of
the session, but the republicans declin-
ed the guage of combat thrown down
to them. Mr.. Turner, of Georgia, who
was the floor leader of the minority
during the absence of Mr.. Crisp, as
stated yesterday, offered resolution of
thanks to the Speaker, which was
adopted by standing vote.
AS the hands of the clock pointed at
four, the Speaker arose. Gentlemen
of the House of Representatives" said
he, "before pronouncing those words
which close the session desire to offer
to the House my grateful recognition
of its kindness. The thanks of the
House of Representatives is always
high honor, but it is especially so at
the end of session where the Speaker
has been forced to say mo- more times
perhaps than in the history of any
other congress.
"While thanking you for your kind
ness to me, l must congratulate the
House on its conduct of the public busi-
ness. Ordinarily majority oftwo and
a half to one-a majority of 150-
means disorganization, faction and dis
cord. In this case hundred and fifty
new men of both parties have behaved
with steadiness of veterans, and if
our connection with the other branches
of the government with different ideas
has prevented US from serving the
country as We might have done, we
at least have behaved with dignity,
fairness and credit.
"With the kindest personal wishes
to you all, 1 again recurn my thanks.
By virtue of the concurrent resolutions
of both branches, declare this House
5;ournod uithout davis