Evening star., 1899-03-04

L
to speak for three minutes demanded
General Wheeler.
The Speaker then turned toward him for
ie .he nrst tlme and, looking straight into
Ine gray eyes or the general, ignored his
request completely, putting the motion of
Mr.. Payne and declaring 1t carried.
AS the hands OF the clock pointed to
seven seven minutes to II. although 1t was then
reaHy three minutes past the hour, the
committee appointed to wait upon the Pres
ident marched down the aisle The Speaker
mad retired to his room. and Mr.. Payne the
speaker pro tenn, was in the chair
Mr. Dalzell, in the center announced that
the committee had fulfilled it's duty and
that the President had made reply that he
i,5 naa no further communication to make
The President requested us to state" he
continued that the Fifty-fifth Congress-
mad performed its extraordinary duties
manfully, and he requested me to extend
10 each and every member his best wishes
Tor his safe return to his home"
Great applause greeted this announce
ment.
Dramatic Scene.
But five minutes remained. In 1t was
enacted one Of the most dramatic scenes
ever witnessed in the Hall of Representa-
tives.
Mr. Payne summoned Mr.. Dockery CMo.)
to the chair and he in turn recognized Mr.
Bailey, the minority leader, to present the
resolutions thanking the Speaker for the
over the deliberations of the House. A
great hush fell upon the vast concourse in
the galleries as Mr.. Bailey began to speak.
1t is an admirable trait of the American
character said Mr.. Bailey, land it is one
which will tend to the permanence of our
1nstitutions, that matter how We may
contend against each other over 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, be-
cause they could not comprehend how we
could so strenuously combat the principles
OF our adversaries and still respect those
adVersaries themselves. These men do not
know that large majority of the men in
every party of this country sincerely be-
l1eVe that large majority of the men in
every ,other party are earnestly anxious to
promote our countrys welfare. Cap
piause) And 1t is out Of this broader spirit
that custom has grown which is as old
as the House itself, that in the closing
fered a resolution like that which I now
send to the clerks desk
The resolution was read as follows.
Resolved, That the thanks Of the House
for the able, impartial and dignified man
ner in which he has presided over its de-
iiberations and performed the arduous and
important duties of the chair"
Mr.. Speaker continued Mr. Bailey 1--WE
have not always agreed with the distin-
gmshed occupant of the chair and we
nave taken more than one occasion to en-
phasize our dissent; but remembering the
nofnentous questions which have confront
ed US in this Congress and remembering.
TOO, the intense excitement which they
aroused throughout the country as we'll as
IN this hall the wonder is that those occa-
sions We're so few; and in this hour of inn
partial retrospect / do not hesitate to saw
that he has been as fair to us and to our
side as any one of us, were our positions
reversed, would have been to him and to
sOJ q nn1a
Ihe chair called for rising vote. Every
member was on his feet and the resolution
was unanimously agreed to. amid prolonged
applause.
Mr.. Dockery, when the applause had SUBJ
sized, appointed Messrs. Bailey, Bell (Col)
and Payne committee to escort the
Speaker to the chair.
A moment later, as the Speaker emerged
from the lobby, escorted by the committee,
the cheers that greeted his appearance e
made thu rafters ring. Slowly the COM
manding figure of the Speaker ascended the
rostrum. Gracefully Mr.. Dockery informed
him OF the action of the House. and then
reiinquished the gavel to him. AS the
Speaker faced the House the stiffness of
death settled down upon it.
The Speaker Thanks the House.
The people in the galleries seemed to
have ceased to breathe, so oppressive and
impressive was the silence. Slowly and
with great delberation he returned his
thanks for the compliment the House had
conferred upon him. He said:
In laying down for the third time the in
sigma of office which has but one -su-
perior and no peer, 1 might, perhaps, fairly
congratulate myself upon having had a
great opportunity to administer a great
office in the fashion indicated by the noble
Wcros known to our law without fear
favor, or hope of reward Where I have
succeeded am sure to have your final ap-
proval; where have failed 1 am sure Won
nave given me cradit for honorable inten-
ton.
Notwithstanding any differences of opin-
ion or of party, you have given me your
confidence in all which pertained to nv
duties here in manner So full and ample
that my memory Of 1t will never pass
away. When / compare the opportunity
you have given me with what it has been
possible to do see how much 1 need your
KIND Endorsement of today, for which I re-
turn you thanks and gratitude. With pleas
ant memories for our past which I shall
always cherish, and best wishes for your
future, which l shall always entertain T
now declare this House adjourned without
day."
Half dozen times during the progress
of his remarks the Speaker was Obliged to
pause, owing to the spontaneous applause
which arose from all sides, and when he
concluded with the announcement that the
House stood adjourned sine die, the ap-
plause and cheers were deafening. The gal
ler1eS joined IN the outburSt.
A Memorable Close.
Suddenly some members down near the
rostrum began singing and above the din
rose the strains of MY Country, IT'S of
Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty
The air was taken up, the galleries caught
the inspiration and as one man everybody
rose and Joined In the singing until In one
grand chorus thousands We're voicing the
beautiful words of the national anthem.
1t was a scene to iiye lifetime to wit
ness and a fitting and patriotic climax OF
the great war Congress. Down In front the
gallant Gen. Henderson with his came aIoft
was beating time for the air, while all around
on the floor and I'm the galleries the in
spring words poured out in immense vol
ume. The emotional side OF the vast con-
course was touched and there were tears
in many eyes.
When the anthem was concluded General
Henderson started Aud Lang Syne" and
IL also was sang with will.
Suddenly John Murray Mitchell waved
aloft a small American flag. and members