New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-05
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS ENDS.
A MEMORABLE SESSION COMES QUIET
LY TO CLOSE.
AGREEMENT FINALLY REACHED ON ALL
THE GREAT APPROPRIATION MEAS
UREs-A REMARKABLE DEMONsTRA-
TION IN HONOR OF SPEAKER
REED-sCENEs IN SENATE

TION IN HONOR OF SPEAKER
REED-sCENEs IN SENATE
AND HOUSE
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBJNEl
Washington. March THE end of the LVth
Congress came to-day at room rather unevent-
fully the legislative storms OF the preceding
night having all subsided in the hours just be-
fore daybreak. AS almost inevitable Mr.
Warrens hbuster against the River and Har-
Dor conference report proved undvailing, ana
| after securing the slight concession or re-
opening Of the for irrigation reservoirs In
the conference committee he yielded his CON
tentlon. ard let second report. identcally
the same as the first. pass without opposition.
The only other serious obstacles to complete
agreement between the two houses were the
Pacific cable amendment i'm the Sundry Civil
Appropriation bill, and the maximum price FOR
armor plate fixed by the Senate in the Naval
bill. Negotiations smoothed out both dithcul-
ties the Senate yielding its wish to have Pa
cinc cable laid under Government supervision
and through Government aid. and the House
retreating SO far on the armor-plate question
as to agree that no armor for the battle-ships
authorized by the act Of March J. lSE'' should
be contracted for at more than $500 ton. To
partially completed. the Secretary Of the Navy
is TO be allowed to pay $4O0 ton The project OF
establishing a Government armor-pate pant
was dropped from the bill entirely.
sCHLEY AHEAD OF SAMPSON.
Rv o o'clock this morning the work OF the
two houses was practically finished and In the
Senate at least some time could be spared LOT
the consideration of the executive calendar. Ihe
great mess OF naval nominations sent In yes
terday was disposed Of. but the recess appoint
ments advancing Admrals Schey and Samp-
son for mertOrlous service in the Santiago cam
paign failed with the session. leaving Schle!
still two numbers ahead Of Sampson on the
naval roster. The nomination OF eX-Represeht-
atlve Samuel June Barrows to be Librarian
Of Congress also failed. after decided opposi-
tion 10 confirmation had been displayed by lead
ing Senator's
The closing ceremonies in the Senate were
brief and formal and so weary were botn the
Senator's themselves who had spent over twen-
tv-four hours in continuous session. and the
many spectators who had watched the pro-
ceedings internationally since early morning
that the fall of the Vice Presidents gave after
his graceful farewell speech, was welcomed with
q general sigh Of relief The President and the
and remained until noon, and all the more be-
lated bills were signed in the gorgeous gilt ana
red office Just behind the Senate lobby. which
the Executive uses when he becomes the guest
Of each succeeding Congress in the expiring
hours Of its final term.
SCENES IN THE HOUSE.
The closing scenes in the House Of Represen-
tatives were unusually interesting and that
which followed the words Of the Speaker de-
claring the House adjourned sine die was
marked by enthusiasm and dramatic FEATURES
which were probably without precedent in the
history Of Congress. The work Of legislation
xas virtually finished in the early hours Of the
morning and from that time until almost noon
the members OF the Committee on Enrolled Bills
and the enrolling clerks were the busiest men IN
Washington Their industry and CELEBRITY Dor
dered on the marvellous A Joint resolution
offered by Chairman Boutelle OF the Naval
Committee twenty minutes before - o'clock,
and passed by the House. passed by the
Senate. enrolled signed by the Speaker and
Vice President and laid before the President
before the lowering Of the flags al noon gave
notice that the LVth Congress had ceased TO
exist Twenty years or even fifteen years ago.
such a feat would have been impossible bill
which then failed TO reach the enrolling clerks
M least twelve hours before the hour Of final
adjournment was considered lost. Better meth
ods prevail.
II was well that legislative labors ended when
they did this morning for an aIl-night VIGIL
coupled with incessant toll had been as much
as the hardy veterans. upon whom the brunt
~ the work had fallen. could bear.
BIG AND ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS
When the crowds Of spectators began to pour
into the galleries at 9 O'Clock the hall was al
most deserted and was a scene Of desolation.
There had been no time TO remove the debris
Of last nights session. The floor was strewn
and covered with legislative fotsam. among
which might be found mute evidences Of the
strandng or shipwreck Of many a shattered
hope II is not what Congress has done but
what IT has failed or refused to do. that exctes
the strongest feelings OF regret and disappoint-
ment among men and women who throng the
Capitol in its dying hours, and ever and anon
drives one Of them to despair.
Rut the CAV assembaGe that looks down on
the scene this forenoon pays little heed TO such
things Within the haf-hOur it has filed every
square inch OF space in the galleries, choked the
doorways and blocked the wide corridors. Ii Is
an enthusiastic crowd and even those without
are good-natured while those within, even II
they can only and not hear. are patient
They sit through each short recess. content with
a view Of the arena below. The leaders begin
TO nut in an appearance, refreshed by hot baths
and breakfasts Chairman Payne Of the Ways
and Means Committee. leader Of the ma
iority does not look as though he had spent last
night on the watch-tOwer without sleep; Chair
man Cannon OF The Appropriations Committee
looks as hA saws he feels "as fresh as a daisy;
Dockerv. OF Missouri leader Of the minority OF