Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-16

with having passed the Wilson tariff bill.
not even under suspension of the rules,
but under a special order.
The sundry civil bill was then passed.
its opponents not being numerous enough
TO even secure vote by yeas and nays.
The Senate amendments to THE agri-
cultural appropriation bill were non-con-
Cured In. and sent TO conference.
The resolutions reported from Elections
Committee No. 2, declaring Charles J z.
Boatner dhe incumbenD elected, and
Alexis Benoit, the contestant, not elect
cd. TO the present Congress, from the
Fifth District of Louisiana, were agreed
TO.
BILLS PASSED.
Under suspension of the rules the fol-
lowing were passed:
Senate bill giving the Supreme Court
Of tho District Of Columbia power to ap-
polnt n district attorney for the District
of Columbia when vacancy occurs
the appointment to last only until the
President shall appoint and the Senate
confirm.
To supply the National Guard Of the
various States and Territories with
modern Springfield rifles Of 45-calibre, in
exchange for their present rifles
Authorizing certain homesteaders in
Florida TO sell the timber on their lands
felled by the storm of September last.
Senate resolution authorizing the Sec
retary of the Navy to furnish naval
or other ship TO transport TO India GER
tain supplies donated by Western StateA
for the relief Of the starving poor of that
country.
Relating to lighthouses, etc, In Flo
rlda-completing the removal Of Cape
San Bias light station TO Blacks Island.
and building a light-keeper's building at
Egmont Key; reconstructing the front
beacon Of Apalachicola bay range-light
station: establishing a light station at
st. Joseph Point; establishing range
lights 10 mark the channel over the bar
entrance to Choctawhatchee bay; re-
pairing wharf and buildings on the depot
at Key West.
The bill providing for the adjustment
Of claims Of the United States against
the State Of Tennessee, and the claims of
Tennessee against the United States, was
defeated-yeas. 50. nays A-two thirds
being necessary TO pass the bill.
At o'clock a recess was taken until
8 O'Clock, the evening session to be de-
voted to private-penslon bills.
NIGHT SESSION.
One hour and forty minutes were
wasted at to-nights session Of the House
before a quorum was secured. The House
was I'm facetious mood, and
amused itself in its own fashion during
the long wait. The roll-call disclosed the
presence of 173 members.
While the House waited the arrival or
the six absentees whose presence was
necessary, the members crowded into the
area before the presiding officers desk,
and begged that certain OF their col
leagues should be excused. principally
on the ground OF illness. A score Of ex-
cuses were accepted, when Mr.. Poole. OF
New York, asked a similar privilege for
his colleague, Mr. Mahany. A member,
in a spirit of fun, objected, and Mr..
Poole made his request In the form of a
motion. The Chair put the motion, and
II was defeated, amid shouts of laughter,
by a vote of 81 10 73. Even more deci-
sive was the vote against eXcusing Messrs.
Terry, of Arkansas, and Allen Of Mis-
sissippi.
When Mr. Mahany came in a little
later. he received a round of applause.
Similar demonstrations were made In
favor Of other late arrivals, until a
quorum was established by the presence
OF Mr.. Hart, of Pennsylvania, when the
House settled down to business.
The net result OF the session was that
ten bills were laid aside, with a favorable
Recommendation, and at half-past IL
O'Clock, the House adjourned.