Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-05
WORK AND SLEEP By Turns
House Members Waks p at Intervals 10
Oousids- Conference Reports,
NAVAL BILL GREAT BONE OF CONTENTION
Each Hcuse Determined to Have Its
Way Regarding New ships and the
Armor Plate provision-AEree
on Other Measures.
NAVAL BILL GREAT BONE OF CONTENTION

WASHINGTON, March A-wearily the
house sat through the night, taking re-
cesses from time 30 time awaiting for con-
ference reports. The floor OF the house
was Uttered with waste paper, which driftsd
ankle deep about the desks. and made the
house look as IL 81 had been sweep. by a
snow3torm. StIl the weary and heavy
eyed legislators kept 20 their posts during
the night The leaders, upon whom the
strain and burden OF the closing hours fell
most heavily and the speaker, who had the
greatest responsibility Of all, remained con-
stantly in their places watching vigilantly
TIE progress Of the contests between the
two houses.
The final agreement on the river and ha--
Dor bill containing the compromise on the
Nicaraguan canal was secured about $3.50
a. m, the sundry civil. In which the house
forced the senate to surrender the pro-
vision FOR the Pacific canal, about s the
District Of Columbia with the provision for
a sectarian institution eliminated about :
o'clock; the deficiency at s o'clock, and the
final conference report on the naval bill
at about $50 a. m. The hall presented
a sodden. bedragglei looking scene. with
the light streaming In the ground glass win
dows. Outside a fine drilling mist was
falling, completely shrouding the tops Of the
NpLAG anu ElAlAE Nut NENs Aai isl mass
over the two wings to their STATS. The
red-eyed members sat listlessly in their
seats, while the few per ons in the galleries
slumbered peacefully.
EnrIy Morning orntory.
About 7 o'clock Mr.. Henderson aroused
the bouse by an electric speech. It was
one OF the most eloquent Of this congress.
The surroundings added impressivsness to
his utterances. The disheveled members
and the wreckage Of the night were about
him. II was on the question Of sectarian
institutions in the District OF Columbia, pro-
vision for which had been stricken out Of
the district appropriation bill. With force
and pathos he denounced the bigotrv of the
copferees. who, he said. we're willing al the
behest OF a secret organization which did
it, work to turn the homeless and friendless
into the streets. The scene was dramatic
IN lie extreme when Mr.. Henderson re-
call.S the dark days Of the war when the
b whito-capped sisters Of mercy were min
:t.ering on the battlefield to the stricken
an0 dying soldiers.
At 4:iO a. N. the house took a recess until
8, when the naval conference report was
expected. At > a. n. Mr.. Boutelle presented
a partial conference report on the naval
bill. It covered everything save the three
us AAIA4S" SAARSF lAANN Va IA +AANA ---
a government armor factory. Mr.. Boutelle
stated that the senate conferees were weak
ening, particularly in the reduction of ships,
and he thought the house would win on the
next conference. The partial report was
adopted. The house insisted on it's
provision as to ships and price Of armor.
Mr.. Handy Of Delaware moved to recede
and concur in the senate amendment for a
government armor factory; lost-3i to II.
The three main items then we're sent back
to conference.
The speaker announced as visitors to the
United States Military academy Representa-
tiges Marsh, Bromwell and Jett; to the
Naval academy, Representatives Dalzell,
Steele and Settle
At 7.45 the District Of Columbia confer
ence report was presented and an extended
debate occurred on sectarian charitable in
stitutions.
Mr.. Henderson made a stirring appeal to
his associates to reject the conference re-
port. declaring that it cut off the orphans OF
the district and was a concession to a secret
organization. The report was adopted.
The conference report on the deficiency APP
preparation bill, containing a full agreement
upon all disputed points, was presented at
o'clock and agreed to without a word OF de.
bate.
At $50 o'clock the final conference repor
on the naval bill was reported by Mr.. Bou.
telle. He explained that the senate ha.
yielded to the house as 10 the number O
ships TO be authorized l~twelvel, and IN.
house had confirmed the armor plate pro
vision so as to limit the cost Of armOr t
$500. but had secured the elimination o
the provision for an armor plate factory
The house had reluctantly yielded up tn
item as to price Of armor. said Mr.. Bou
telle, and only IN the hope that a futur
congress would remedy the situation re
garding armor. The report was adopte
and the house recessed again until 1890.
Last Legislative Act.
Tho last legislative act of the house wa
the passage OF a joint resolution authorizin
the acceptance by the United States Of tn
cessiCn OF a tract OF land from the state c
Massachusetts, needed TO extend the lines c
the Boston navy yard. It was now Jas b
the clock, but the assistant doorkeeper, Wit
a long pole. set back the hands ten minute.
This raised a loud laugh. Immediately after
ward came a most dramati episode.
General Wheeler OF Alabama, who ha
eza m wAA1 - - "a,