Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-07-14
A STOpMY ENDING
Congress Adjourns After a Bois-
ferrous Wind-up.
The House of Representatives is the Scene
of IA DisgracefuI Row, but the Dove of
Peace Finally Spreads Its Wings
Over the Assembly and All Unite
in Cheers for the President
and Heroes of the War.

Washington, July 9.-The end of this
session of congress in the house was
marked by two notable Incidents. One
was sensationally partisan, well nigh
resulting in personal conflicts upon
the floor of the house; the other was
notably patriotic and swept away all
signs of the former. In the former
Mr.. Ray (rep., n. W, Mr.. Handy
(dem., Del), Mr.. Cannon (rep.. I'D
and Mr.. Ball (dem., TeX.) were the
principal participants. In the latter all
members joined, irrespective of party
affiliations. After the stormy session
OF two hours the house, when ad iourn-
ment was announced, Joined in cheers
for the president and war heroes and
the singing of patriotic songs, making
perhaps the most notable ending to Il
session since the civil war. The only
measure of Importance passed was IA
bill to reimburse states for expenses
incurred in aiding the organization of
the volunteer army.
Mr.. Handy by moving to strike from
the record a part of the speech which
appeared as that of Mr. Ray precipitat-
ed the dispute which brought on the
incident of a sensational nature. Mr.
Handy declared the part in question
was never uttered upon the floor of
the house and he read from reporters
notes to corroborate his assertion
Mr.. Ray declared he had uttered
every word.
MIR. Speaker" resumed Mr.. Handy,
"a question of veracity has arisen
here. If the gentleman from New
York says he uttered the words in
question, | declare upon my honor he
did not and hold here the reporters
notes which show that he did not"
vote was taken. The house de-
clined to strike out the speech A di-
vision was called for and the negative
vote again prevailed.
Mr. Cannon was standing Just across
the center aisle, face flushed and eyes
fixed upon the minority.
II called for tellers" said Mr..
Handy, and with that the member
from Illinois stepped into the aisle.
"Gou are deliberately obstructing
public business in which the whole
country is interested -" the rest Of
his remarks were lost in the ieers of
the minority. calls for the regular
order and the resulting confusion as
Mr. Cannon charged up the aisle, pour
ing out IA flood of denunciation. He
had reached "A point opposite Mr. Ball
Mr.. Cannon had called for the yeas
and nays, saying it was manifest that
the democrats would call for them.
Mr.. Cannon had repeated his charge
of obstruction when Mr. Ball, address
ing the republican side, as it subse-
quently developed, declared: "The
record is false and you knew it was
false when you voted against correct
ing it,
"That is a lie" cried Mr.. Cannon.
and in an instant the belligerent mem
bers were struggling to reach each
other, while many others were pulling
and struggling to control them. The
house was upon its feet. Mr.. Marsh
(rep.. I'D seized Mr.. Cannon and
thrust him aside and when Mr.. Ball
asked Mr.. Cannon to come outside"
and the latter was moving to comply.
Mr.. Lewis (dem.. Wash.) took charge
of the Illinois member and restrained
him. Meantime the speaker had been
pounding hard and the sergeant-at-
arms had seized the big silver mace
and was moving among the members
where the greatest disorder prevailed
Order was restored slowly and a roll
call proceeded.
The roll call upon Mr.. Handy's mo-
tion to strike out resulted: Yeas so
nays 106. Later in the session Mr.
Cannon explained that Mr.. Ball had
addressed his remarks not to him per-
sonally and therefore he desired to
withdraw his offensive statement
The house then passed the bill to re-
imburse the states for expenses in
Cured in transporting. feeding, cloth
ing and caring for soldiers in aid of
organization of the volunteer army.
Senate.-ln manner so simple as
TO be almost perfunctory the senate
adjourned without day. None of tn"
dramatic and exciting scenes usually
attendant upon the adjournment of
congress was enacted during the clos
ing hours of the senate's session. It
had been agreed when the senate con-
vened at noon that the house resoit.-
ton providing for the adjournment If
congress at p. m. should be adopted
and that an executive session should
be held to confirm the nominations in
the military and naval establishments.
No other business except of the mer
est routine nature was to be transact
ed. The arrangement was carried out
to the letter.