The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-07

Senator Mantle renewed his motion
10 recommit the report % the confer
ees. but it was decisivefy defeated
The nat at 2 o'clock recommitsed
the river and harbor bill TO the confer
ence committee.
I HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Crowded galleries looked down upon
the struggling members OF the house
To-Day as the closing scenes OF the asst
legislative day Of this congress were
being enacted Step by step the lead
ers IN charge OF the appropriation bills
pushed them through the final stages
and during every lull in the c~onsidera-
ton Or conference report members
elamored Tor recognition for belated
local oLls, IN the vain hope OF rescuing
them from death on the calendar
AT times the house was like bedlau-
Pound as the speaker would with his
gavel ii was almost impossible TO pre-
serve order, n TO the casual visitor
in the gallery the proceedings on the
floor must have been about as intelll-
gible as an exciting day in the wheat
pit would be TO a parish priest. The
noise and confusion on the floor, pune
tuated with the constant banging OF
the speakers gavel or bach grounded
with the droning voice OF the clerk:
irate members facing each other and
talking at the same time; pages sour
rying up and down the aisles, all this
was utterly ~distracting. But the peo-
pie in the galleries stayed on and there
were a dozen persons in line in the
corridors waiting for every vacant seat.
SO great is the attraction OF a dying
congress.
In the reserved galleries OF the house
were congregated the elite OF the So
city in the national capital, while the
public galleries We're banked TO the
doors. Stylishly gowned ladies and
gentlemen in evening dress added eclat
to the occasion.
AS the evening drew on members
who had attended Dime parties began
appearing and ladies and gentlemen
handsomely attired took their places
in the galleries.
The big questions in dispute between
the two houses being naturally the last
to be adjusted were postponed far into
the night. From time to time short re-
cesses We're taken. These were simply
breathing spells, however, and soon
the leaders were at it again harder than
ever.
At IL o'clock today the house en-
tered upon the last legislative day Of
the session. The managers were in their
places n the public galleries were
crowded in anticipation Of spectacular
scenes. The desk of the late Repre-
sentative Crawford, Of Texas, who died
at AlllOlISLL ldSl AiShl, was SIEOuutI
in black and covered with flowers.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal, Mr.. Burke, democrat, of Tex
as, announced the death Of his coli
league in feeling words, and the usual
Solution were adopted, and a COM
mittee was appointed to attend the
funeral.
MI. Walker, republican, of Massa-
chusetts, who a been seeking the
privilege of addressing the house for
several days, then secured unanimous
consent to speak for an hour, such time,
however, not to interfere with confer
ence reports.
Bills were passed allowing certain off,
GERS to accept decorations from for
reports on bills of minor Importance
were agreed to.
During Mr.. Walkers financial speech
Mr.. Johnson, republican, OF Indiana,
said: DO you expect the next con-
! greSs to enact any banking and cur
| rency legislation worthy of the name?
I do not"
IF it does,'' replied Mr. Walker, 'it
will mean certain defeat for the repub-
lican party. There is more dynamite
connected with banking and currency
han any subject ever introduced in the
house. Any party that attempts a set
Element of the currency question be-
lore the silver questioned VIII De
. swamped."
(. The conference upon the bill appro-
priating $4,000 for a site for a custom
house at Baltimore, Md, recommending
the acceptance of the senate amend.
ment authorizing the erection Of a e
public building at Baltimore, to cos
| not to exceed 81, 500, 900, was presented
by Mr.. Mercer. 1t aroused the oppo.
sition and Indignation of Mr.. Payne
. republican, of New York, who declare
that the report should be rejected, but
it was agreed to.
Mr.. Cannon presented the conference
report upon the sundry civil appropri
alton bill and moved its adoption. H,
! explained briefly the points upon which
the conferees had agreed and the re
port was adopted. Upon the items still
in dispute he moved that the house in
sist upon its disagreement, which 1
did.
Mr.. Kitchin, democrat, of North Car
DINA, moved to concur in the amend
ment appropriating SIS, 200 for a publ
building at Durham N. C.-lost, s
to sc.
Mr.. Corless moved to concur in tn
Pacific cable amendment. Mr.. Cor
less earnestly advocated the adoption
Of the senate amendment. He said tn
government should build the cable.
The motion to concur in the Pacif
cable amendment, modified so as I
include the other amendment, appro
priating $3.50, 600 for a able steame
was ~defeated-77 to 102.
At $40 o'clock, p. m, the house too
a recess until s o'clock.
When the house re-convened the res
olution to give some house employee
extra compensation developed som
good natured debate which eliminate
finally in a sharp exchange between Nj
Grosvenor and Mr.. Talbert, democrat
of South Carolina. But the ire dis
played on both sides cooled rapidly an
the incident closed with assurance Q
distinguished consideration on bot
sides.
At $3.50 o'clock again the house too
a recess until 10 o'clock.
Slow progress was made on confer
ence reports. The district Of Columbi
appropriation was sent back to cor
: ference. The deficiency appropriate
bill also went TO conference.
The naval conferees presented a pal
: tial report which was agreed to.
carried agreements only on rourir
features. The question OF armor plat
and new ships are still open
There was a sharp exchange betwee
J Mr.. Boutelle and Mr.. Bailey, when III
l former sought 10 get the bill back