The San Francisco call., 1899-03-05
FORMAL CLOSE
Of THE SENATE
Disposes of Deficiency
and Naval Bill.
CONCESSIONS TO THE HOUSE
POINTS YIELDED IN ORDER TO
SECURE LEGISLATION.
Most Important Measure Left in the
Air Is That Relating to Immi
grafton Laws for
Hawaii.
CONCESSIONS TO THE HOUSE
POINTS YIELDED IN ORDER TO
SECURE LEGISLATION.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

w A011IANGI Yin MdICH 4 1Sc
President Hobart declared the Senate
of the Fifty fifth Congress adjourned
without day eight minutes after u
o'clock to-day. 1t was after a contin-
uous session, beginning at II o'clock on
Friday, with the exception of one hour
recess during the forenoon.
The day of final adjournment broke
with the Senate in executive session,
disposing of a large number of noml-
nations. When the doors were opened
there was seen but handful of tired
and haggard looking Senators who were
waiting for the final reports from the
conferees on the two bills yet in dis
pute. Finally Hale appeared with both
The deficiency bill was quickly passed,
and then came the final and closing
fight on the naval bill and the price
of armor plate and for an armor plate
factory. This was finally over and the
weary Senators took a short rest.
Upon reassembling the Senate took
on a new appearance. The chamber
had been cleaned up and the Senators
came back to the closing meeting with
a more spruce appearance. Some few
attempts at legislation were made, but
all were unsuccessful. Then the gal
leries filled with gaily dressed visitors,
who were there to see the final cere-
monies. They were not long permitted
to enjoy themselves as an executive
session drove them into the corridors,
where they patiently waited for the
doors TO be opened. When this was done
only five minutes remained of the Con-
gress, but the hands of the clock were
turned back ten minutes to give time
for the usual complimentary resolutions
and the address of the Vice President.
n nj
Cabinet had come to the Capitol and
were in the Presidents room back of
the Senate chamber, where the various
bills were hurried for signature. Finally
the last big appropriation bill had re-
ceiVed the Presidents approval and
everything was ready for the close The
resolution thanking Vice President Ho-
bart and President pro tenn. Frye was
adopted and the Vice President re
sponded in an appropriate address and
the Senate, which had been in a tur-
moil for several days, quietly came to
an end.
At o'clock the Senate resumed bust
ness in legislative session. Soon after
ence report on the general deficiency
bill, and it was agreed to without division.
AT $50 a. m. Hale presented the con-
ference report on the naval bill, and It
that perhaps there was never an appro-
priation bill concerning which the action
u
difficulties than this bill. He announced
that the House had refused absolutely to
authorize the construction of Govern
ment armor plate factory. Hale explained
that the report of the conference commit
tee fixed the price of armor for the ships
authorized by this bill at $500 ton, no
contract for the hulls to be made until
contracts had been made for the armor.
The number of battle-ships, armored and
House bill. The Secretary of the. Navy
is authorized to contract for armor for the
ships provided for in the naval appropria-
tion bill of 1898 at $400 ton.
contracts for new war vessels under the
pending bill if it becomes a law?,,
lieve we shall do no more than get out
the plans and specifications for the au-
thorfzed ships and decide, about turrets
and the like. OF course, the Senate con-
ferees had to yield something.
But we seem to have yielded every
thing and the House nothing" said Till
"The Senate conferees cannot settle
But the Senate cam" responded TIL
responsibility of an extra session. | was
never strongly tempted to say, This bill
shall not pass and become a law, but [
side of the chamber waving his hand
toward the Republican side-"that they
will help US out at the next session, and
l am willing to accept those assurances.
The conference report was finally agreed
TO without division. This was the last of
the conference agreements on the appro-
priation bills to be acted on by the Senate
and its acceptance caused general sigh
of relief
At 10 o'clock President Mckinley and his
entire Cabinet came to the Presidents
room in the Senate wing of the Capitol
where the many bills which len had had. been 91
for signature. He had little time to give
consideration to the different measures.
The President signed all the appropria-
ton bills with the exception of the Dis
trict of Columbia. He signed the omnibus
claims bill.
O'Clock the Senate chamber had been
''spruced up and appeared quite tidy.
The galleries were crowded.
On motion of Mason, the printing of the
testimony taken In the investigation of
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Fairbanks moved the consideration Of
the bill extending the immigration laws
to the Hawaiian Islands. Pettus objected
on behalf of his colleague, Morgan. The
bill, however, was taken up, and Petit
since the annexation of the islands 10000
Asiatic slave laborers had been imported.
Perkins also urged action at the present
session, declaring that the contract labor
ers in Hawaii were secured at one-third
the cost of labor to the sugar makers of
California or Louisiana. Without action
session was carried-ayes 80, noes 22-and
the crowded galleries were soon vacated
to permit the last executive work of the
Congress.
At AS o'clock the doors of the Senate
were opened and the Senate began the
final legislative session of the present
Congress.
Hoar reported that the committee had
waited on the President of the United
States and had been instructed by him
that he had disposed of the public busi-
ness which had been laid before him bv
the two houses, and that he. had no fur
ther communications to make; that the
two houses had reached the end Of a very
1aborious and important session and that
he wished their members safe return to
their homes.
Vice President Hobart then addressed
the Senate, at the close of which he de-
clared the Senate adjourned without dav
There was general handshaking among
the Senators, and numerous expressions
of regret were heard that many whose
terms expired to-day were not 10 be here
when the Senate met again. Preparat tions
were everywhere observed for departure
many Senators intending TO leave for their