Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-12
CONGRESS- ADJ0URNS.
Gently and Quietly the First Session
Passes Into History.
THANKS TENpERED THE SPEAKER
Resolution offered by Reprcscnta-
tive Turner, of Gcorgin. and
Adopted by n Rising yof.-s.n,t.
Laboriousiy Does Nothing.

WASHINGTON, u. C.. June 1.-The
first session OF the Fifty-fourth Congress
gently and quietly. almost without incl
dent, glided into history to-day AT
O'clock the shortest long" session OF
congress, with two exceptions, in the his-
tory OF the government. There was a
marked difference between the close to-
day and that OF the Fffty-hrst Congress-,
the last previous Republican Congress.
Then bitter conflict ragged between
Speaker Reed and the minority. and no
one OF the latter was found to INTRODUCES
The usual resolution OF thanks TO the
presiding officer. To-day Mr.. Turner. the
second Democratic member OF the Conn
mittee on Ways and Means. acting for
the minority. In the absence Of ex-Speak-
er Crisp. offered resolution. thanking
Speaker Reed for the ability. faithful
ness. and strict impartlality" with which
he had discharged the duties OF his DIM
cult position; and. at the suggestion OF
Mr. Dockery, and other Democrats. there
was rising vote. that the expression OF
heartiness back OF the resolution might
thereby be emphasized In his closing re-
marks Speaker Reed expressed his grate-
ful recognition OF the honor. saying: The
thanks OF the House Of Representatives
Is always a high honor. but is especially
so at the end Of session where the
Speaker has been forced to say no moro
times perhaps, than IN the history of
any other Congress"
In the course Of the session a number
OF private pension and relief bills were
passed, and Representatives Pitney Re-
pub.icam. OF New Jersey. Blue 0epub-
licam, OF Kansas and Dockery Demo.
craD, of Missouri, were appointed mona
bers on the part OF the House Of the COM
mission 10 sit during the summer and in
vestieate the charities OF tho District of
Columbia.
LABORIOUS INACTIVITY. D
II the first session Of the Fif,y-fourth
Congress has been a "do-nothing ses-
son.' as had been predicted. the closing
day Of the Senate furnished a fitting cul-
mlnation 70 the session. IL was a day OF
inactive drifting. a lab0rlous effort to
Kill time by doing nothing until 4 o,olock,
when, according to the concurrent reso-
luton agreed 10 yesterday, the two
houses were TO adjourn
The Senate was called 10 order al II
O'Clock, when the District OF Columbia
appropriation bill was received and i'm.
medlately signed by the Vice President,
thus dlsposing OF tho last OF the general
Appropriation bills 20 far as the legisla-
tive branch Is concerned
\ bill was passed granting pension Ia
the widow OF General William III. Glib.
son, OF Ohio.
The Senate then dwadled until 10
O'Clock, the only business transacted be-
Ing the appointment OF a committee TO
wait on the President and inform him
hat Congress was ready TO adjourn. and
the appointment OF another committee.
provided for In the District OF Columhia
appropriation bill 10 Investigate the
charitable and reformatory Institutions
of Washington.
AZ l:2O a recess was taken until 3
O'Clock when The usual resolutions OF
thanks 20 the Nce-President and Presi-
dent pro tempore were offered by sena-
tors Allison Republicam Of Iowa, and
Harris Democrat, of Tennessee. re-
spectively ard unanimously agreed TO.
The galleries We're almost deserted ou-
ring the early hours OF the session. bun
knots Of spectators continued 10 come i'm
slowly, until the hour Of adjournment. So
that when that hour arrived. aud the Vice
President delivered his valedictory. hs
mad "a good-sized audience in the galleries.
large number OF whom were ladies',
even though there were but twentv-dye
senators present at that interesting
moment. As the Vice President uttered
the last words. ana the gavel fell for the.
last time there was faint outburst Of
applause. after which the senator's
gathered In knots In the aisles ana before
the Nice-Presidents desk bidding each
other gO0d-by. Then the senator's on tho
floor and the visitors In the galleries
melted away, and the chamber that has
been the scene Of 80 many stirring inci-
aents was left 10 the pages and at
tendants until the first Monday I'm De-
cnmhni unNl.