The herald., 1896-06-12
IN THE HOUSE
Psrfunctory Proceedings Of the Last Day.
Pension Bills Passed

TcubtOH oittB Foo8e0
WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE final
session OF the house today was devoid
Of public interest The appropriation
bill had passed and the house simply
waited for the end to come.
A number of members were made
happy by the passage Of local bills of
interest to their districts. Beyond lit
tie misunderstanding between Mr.. Bal
ley of Texas and Mr.. Marsh of Illinois
the utmost good feeling prevailed.
There was an attempt by Mr.. Bailey
and Mr.. Mcguire of California to pre-
cipitate political discussion in the last
half hour of the session, but the Repub-
licans declined the gauge of combat
thrown down to them. Mr. Turner
(Dem., Ga.) who was the floor leader of
the minority during the absence Of Mr..
Crisp, offered resolution of thanks to
the speaker, which was adopted by
standing vote, a most unusual honor.
The speaker closed the session with
graceful speech in which he thanked the
members most cordially and felicitated
them on the work of the session.
a Scores of members left the city last
night after the appropriation bills were
disposed of and there was not more than
fifty members on the floor Of the house
when 1t met at II o'clock today for final
session of the first session of the fifty
fourth congress. Reading of the journal
of the legislative day of Saturday, which
continued from II o'clock Saturday until
II o'clock last night. consumed half an
hour.
On motion of Mr. Dingley resolution
was adopted for the appointment of a
committee Of three to wait upon the pre-
sident and inform him that congress was
ready to adjourn and ascertain if he had
any further communications to make.
The speaker appointed Dingley, Cannon,
Republicans, and Sayre, Democrat.
~ !,
minority. offered the following:
Resolved, the thanks of this body are
due and are hereby rendered Thomas B.
Reed, speaker of the house Of representa-
tives for his ability, efficiency and strict
impartiality with which he discharged
the arduous and responsible duties of his
office during the present session Of con-
Eress.
The resolution was greeted with great
applause and enthusiastically adopted
by standing vote.
While Mr.. Jenkins Of Wisconsin was
trying to secure action on the senate bill
for the relief of the administrator of
Henry Van Vleick. which involved the
expenditure of $45O0, Mr.. Wheeler of
Alabama got the floor and made the bill
q text for the statement as to the marvel
GUS growth of governmental expendi-
lures during recent years. He declared
the government Of the United States,
leueTdl, STATE anu municipal, was the
largest on earth, reaching 81, 100, O00, 900
per annum. Mr.. Owens of Kentucky
raised laugh at Mr.. Wheeler's expense
by calling attention to the fact if the
Van Vleick bill went through 1t would
increase the grand total expenditures
to 81, loo, ,0O4, 500.
several members were fortunate
enough to get through private pension
pills, the last to pass being one to PEN
SION Louis Keiser, private soldier re-
month.
About pm. the listless progress of
sH1lrs was only enlivened by an attempt
OF Mr. Bailey. Democrat, of Texas, to
secure recognition. his purpose being to
supmrt 50 2,nn rem remarks on the presidential sit
ua.ron ,tro ano 10 allow his colleague. Ma
gulre. Democrat, of Georgia, to make a
response to Mr.. Dingley's speech.
Mr. Dalzell, Republican, of Pennsyl-
vania, who was acting as the floor lead
er of the majority, scented the attle and
MI. marsh. Republican, of Illinois. who
was trying to pass a pension bill was