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


and there were not more than fifty mem
beers on the floor of the house when It
met Mt IL o'clock today for the maj
session of the Fifty-fourth congress The
reading of the Journal consumed half an
hour.
On motion of Mr.. Dingley resolution
was adopted for the appointment OF a
committee of three members to JOIN Il
similar committee from the senate to
wait upon the president and inform him
that congress was ready to adjourn, and
ascertain if he had any further communi.
cation to make. The speaker appointed
Mr.. Dingley Rep.) Os Maine; Mr.. Can
non Rep.) of Illinois, and MIR. Sayers OF
Texas.
Mr.. Turner Dem.) of Georgia, on be-
half of the minority. offered the follow
ing resolution.
"Resolved, That the thanks of this
house are due and hereby rendered to
Hon. Thomas b. Reed, speaker of the
house of representatives, for the ability,
efficiency and strict impartiality with
which he has discharged the arduous
and responsible duties of his Office during
the present session of congress"
The presentation of the resolution was
greeted with round of applause and
was adopted by a standing vote.
The house then took a recess until
o'clock.
At 2 p. m. the house reconvened.
Mr. Pruden, the presidents executive
clerk, announced the presidents APP
prevail of the two appropriation bills just
passed.
About 2:3O o'clock the listless pro-
tempt of Mr.. Bailey Dem.) of Texas, to
secure recognition, his purpose being to
submit remarks on the political situation
and to allow his colleague, Mr.. Mcguire
Dem.) California, to make response to
Mr.. Dingley's speech of yesterday.
Mr.. Dalzell (Rep) of Pennsylvania,
who was acting as the floor leader of the
majority. scented the battle, and Mr..
Marsh (Rep.) of Illinois, who was trying
to adroitly cut Mr.. Bailey out. The
Texan was irritated and he and Mr..
Marsh exchanged personalities with
great freedom and considerable force,
much to the amusement of the galleries,
which in the meantime had become
crowded with spectators.
Mr.. Bailey retaliated by making the
point of no quorum on Mr.. Marsh's bill,
and a call Of the house was ordered I'M
der the rule.
At 1920 p. m. Mr.. Bailey withdrew the
point of no quorum, an agreement hay
ing been reached by which Mr.. Bailey
should be allowed twenty minutes.
Mr.. Bailey then yielded to Mr.. Mcguire
and the latter made brief reply to Mr..
Dingley's remarks of yesterday. He
criticised particularly the latter's state
ment about the prosperity of the country
during the life of the high protective
tariff. quoting from the report of Labor
Commissioner Wright in substantiation
of his argument.
Mr. Bailey followed with an arrign-
ment of the Republican side for cow
ardice in lodging the issue presented by
the anti-bond resolution.
"For weeks" he said, their courage
has been like Bob Acres oozing from
their finger tips until now they are
strenously trying to avoid the considera-
ton of n subject which three months ago
they .professed themselves ready to
meet"
He professed to charge that it was the
purpose of the Republican party to
make "a cowardly and ungraceful eva
sion" of the money issue at st. Louis.
He said that there were millions Of
honest citizens in the country who be-
lieved in the gold standard. There were
other millions who believed in bi-meta]-
lism, but nowhere, said he, were hand
full of self-respecting citizens who would
support a party who refused to tell them
where it stood
Nv OHe Teplleu 10 THESE pOltlchI
speeches.
Mr.. Marsh simply contented himself
with a sarcastic reference to the
patriotic speeches" of the gentlemen.
His bill was then passed.
Only fifteen minutes of the session yet
remained, but members continued to
crowd forward to the last minute with
private bills on which they sought ac-
ton.
As the hands OF the clock pointed to 4,
the speaker arose
Gentlemen of the house of representa-
tives," he said, "before pronouncing
those words which closes the session. /
desire to offer TO the house my grateful
recognition for its kindness. The thanks
of the house of representatives is always
high honor, but it is especially SO at
the end of a session where the speaker
has. beeen forced to say mo" more times,
perhaps than in the history of any other
congress.
with the kindest personal wishes to
you all, again return thanks. BY virtue
of the concurrent resolution of both
branches. l declare this house adjourned
without day."