The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-05
LAST HOURSOF CONGRESS
CONTINUED from First Page.)

wishes for his safe return to his home"
Great applause greeted this announce
ment. But five minutes remained. In
it was enacted one of the most dramatic
scenes ever witnessed in the Hall of
Representatives.
Mr. Payne summoned Mr.. Dockery
Dem. Mo-, to the Chair, and he in
turn recognized Mr.. Bailey, the mino>
itv leader of the Congress, to present
the resolutions thanking the Speaker
for the impartial manner in which he
had conducted affairs. A great hush fell
upon the concourse in the galleries as
Mr.. Bailey began to speak.
He said
1T is an admirable trait of the Am
erican character, and it is one which
will tend to the permanence of our in
situations, that no matter how we may
contend against each other in our differ
ences of opinion each is always ready
to accord to the other whatever praise
may be deserved. This commendable
spirit has led some shallow men to
criticise us, because they could not
comprehend how we could so strenuously
combat the principles of our adversarieS
and still respect those adversaries them
selves. These men do not know that
large majority of the men in every party
of this country sincerely believe that
large majority of the men in every other
party are earnestly anxious to promote
our country's welfare. (Applause.) And
it is out of this broader spirit that g
custom has grown which is ms old as the
House itself. that IL the closing hours
of every session there shall he offered a
resolution like that which | now send
to the clerk desk
The resolution was read as follows:
Resolved, That the thanks of the
House are rendered to the Honorable
Thomas Il. Reed for the able. impair
tial and dignified manner in which he has
presided over its deliberations and per-
formed the arduous and important du-
ties of the Chair"
The reading of the resolution was
greeted with tumultous applause.
Mr. Speaker continued Mr.. Bailey.
we nave not always agreed with the
distinguished occupant of the Chair and
we have taken more than one occasion
to emphasize our dissent: but remem-
boring the momentous questions which
have confronted us in this Congress. and
remembering. too, the intense excite
ment which they aroused throughout the
country as well as in this hall. the
wonder is that those occasions were so
few: and in this hour of impartial retro
spect / do not hesitate to say that he
has been as fair to us and our side as
any one of us,were our positions reversed,
would have been to him and to his
side Loud APPLAUSE.
| The Chair called for vote Every
member was on his feet and the reso-
luton was unanimously agreed to, amid
prolonged applause.
| Mr.. Dockery. when the applause hal
subsidized appointed Messrs. Bailey. Bell
Colo.), and Payne, committee to escort
the Speaker to the Chair.
A moment later as the Speaker emer-
ged from the lobby escorted by the COM
mittee, the cheers that greeted his APP
pearance made the rafters ring. Slow
| ly the commanding figure of the Speaker
assembled the rostrum. Gracefully Mr..
Dockery informed him of the action of
the House and then relinquished the
gavel to him. As the Speaker faced the
House the stiffness of death settled
down upon it.
| The Speaker fairly lowered over his
surroundings. Slowly and with great
ldeliberation he returned his thanks for
the compliment the House mad conferred
upon him. He said:
'sln laying down for the third time the
| insignia of an office which has but one
superior and no peer. | might, perhaps
| fairly congratulate myself on having
great opportunity to administer a great
office in the fashion indicated by the
mobile words known to our law. Without
| fear. favor or hope of reward Where
! | have succeeded | am sure to have
your final approval; where l have failed
| | am sure you have given me credit for
! honorable intention.
Notwithstanding any differences of
opinion or of party you have given me
your confidence in all which pertained
! to my duties here in a manner so full
and ample that my memory of it will
never pass away. When | compare the
| opportunity you have given me with
what it has been possible to do | see
how much / need your kind endorse
ment of to-day, for which | return you
thanks and gratitude. With pleasant
memories for our past, which | shall
always cherish. and with best wishes for
your future, which | shall always en-
| terrain. | now declare this House add
journed without day"
| Half dozen times during the progress
of his remarks the Speaker was obliged
| to pause, owing to the spontaneous APP
plause which arose from all sides, and
when he concluded with the announce
ment that the House stood adjourned
sine die. the applause and cheers were
deafening. The galleries joined in the
outburst. Patriotic songs were sung and
cheers given for the army, navy, Dewey
and Wheeler.