The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-18
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

gan the CLOSING Gay Oh tne SeSSlOu WltHOut
any of the confusion and activity usually
incident to the departure of congress.
There was scattered attendance in the
galleries during the early hours and the
score of senators present gathered in
groups and chatted.
The last obstacle in the way of adjourn
ment was removed when, soon after the
session opened, the clerks brought in the
last of the great supply of bills-that of
the District of Columbia-and it was
signed by the vice president, and soon
thereafter dispatched to, the White House
for the signature of the president. This
done, business was suspended until Mr..
Sherman secured the passage of house
bill pensiOning the widow of Gen. Will
liam II. Gibson of Ohio, at $50 per month.
Then the galleries were cleared for
brief executive session, after which the
open session was resumed.
The monotonOus waits were broken
at intervals by routine reports from the
house
On motion of Mr.. Platt (Rep.) of Con-
necticut the immigration bill, which had
been displaced, was made the unfinished
business. The effect is to give the bill
the right of-way when the December SEES
sion begins.
At 10 o'clock Mr.. Sherman moved the
appointment of the two senators to ac-
company the committee of the house to
wait on the president.
Senators Sherman land Smith were
named.
The vice president also announced the
appointment of Senators Harris, Faux
ner and Mcmillan as II committee to in
qure into the charities of the District of
Columbia, with view to ascertainng the
vi rf cta nj In
was provided for in the District of Co
lumba appropriation bill.
At |: 20 the senate took recess until
3 p. m.
At 3 o'clock the session was resumed
and the galleries slowly filled for the clos
ing scenes of the session.
Senators Sherman and Smith returned
from the White House shortly after 3,
and. standing together in the middle of
the aisle Mr.. Sherman read brief re-
port. stating that in response to an in
quiry the president had stated that he
had no further business to communicate
to congress.
Mr.. Harris DEM of Tennessee offered
resolution expressing thanks to the SEN
ate to Mr.. Frye of Maine, president pro
TEN. for the uniform courtesy and ability
with which he had presided over the SEN
ate.
A similar resolution of thanks to vice
President Stevenson for his dignified' and
impartial service as presiding officer was
offered by Mr.. Allison.
Both resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
A few moments before the hour set
for adjournment the vice president raped
the senate to order and said:
Senators, | am deeply touched by the
resolutions personally to myself adopted
by the senate. 1t had been my earnest
endeavor impartially to execute the rules
prescribed for the guidance of this body.
For the aid you have so generously given
me in the discharge of the duties that per-
tain to this Office, as well as for the cOur
tesy uniformly shown me. | am profound
ly grateful And, now, wishing each of
you Il safe return to home and cOnstitu-
cnts. it only remains for me to declare
the first session of the Fifty-fourth con-
gress adjourned without day"
The gavel descended with a whack at
this last word, and the session was over.
There was a stir in the galleries as the
crowd made for the exits.
Senators moved about shaking hands
and bidding good bye.
Soon the senate chamber was deserted.