Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-03-06
CLOSE OF THE SESSION,
Clock IN the Senate Turned Back as Is the
Usual Custom.

Usual Custom.
Washington, March 6.-Vice Presid ent
| Hobart declared the senate of the Fifty
! firth congress adjourned without day
eight minutes after Il O'Clock Saturday
/ vas after a continuous session begin
ming 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 ses-
SOC dtsposing of a large number of
nom ;ns'..Ons. When the doors were
opened there We're seen but a handful of
tired and haSgarG-lookirg senators who
were waiting for the final reports from
the conferrees on the two bills yet in
dispute. Finally Hale appeared with
both. The deficiency bill was quickly
passed and then came the final and clos
ing fight on the naval bill. This was
finally over and the weary senators took
q short recess.
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 more
spruce appearance. Some few attempts
at legislation was made. but all were
unsuccessful. An executive session was
held. and later the hands Of the clock
were turned back ten minutes to give
time for the usual complimentary reso-
buttons and the address of the vice pres
ident. President Mckinley and his en-
tire cabinet had come to the Capitol
and were in the presidents room back
of the senate chamber. where the vari-
Gus bills were hurried for signature.
Finally, the last big appropriation bill
had received the presidents approval
and everything was ready fer the close.
The resolution thanking the vice presi-
dent and President Pro Tenn. Frye were
adopted, the vice president responding
in an appropriate address, and the sem
ate adjourned its Fifty-fifth session
The house. like the senate, was up
all night" the leaders on both sides
keeping close watch en- proceedings. and
during recesses a good deal of singing
and other diversion served to keep the
members awake. The final agreement
on the river and harbor bill containing
the compromise on the NicaTa qua
canal an appropriation of $1.000.0C0 for
investigation was secured about $3.50
a. m: the sundry civil. in which
the house forced the senate to surrender
the provision for the Pacific cable. at
about a. m. the District of Columbia
bill, with the provision for sectarian in
stituticns eliminated, about a. m: the
deficiency at $50. and the final con-
ference report upon the naval bill about
$3.50 a. m.
The compromise on this bill retained
the provision to pay no more than $500
per ton for armor. but no battleshipS
are to be begun until contracts for the
armor are made. The government armOr
plant proposal was stricken out. The
result of this will be that no Dattleships
will be built, but il will not interfere
with the work on cruisers. etc. With
the advent OF the day the house again
took on the appearance of life. Mem
bbers went below for baths and break
fast, and returned refreshed to their
stations. The closing business was soon
completed and then Bailey offered the
usual resolution OF thanks to the
speaker.
In moving the resolution Bailey said:
Mr.. Speaker, we have not always
agreed with the distinguished occupant
of the chair. and we have taken more
than one occasion to emphasize our dis
sent: but remembering the momentous
questions which have confronted US in
this congress. and remembering. too. the
intense excitement which they aroused
throughout the country as well as in
this hall, the wonder is that those occa-
sions were few: and in this hour of i'm
partial retrospect do not hesitate to say
that he has been as fair to us and to our
side as any one Of us. were our positions
his side" loud applause.J
The chair called for a rising vote.
Every member was on his feet and the
resolution was unanimously agreed to
amid prolonged applause. Then Speaker
Reed MADE a brief reply and for the last
time his gavel came down in the Fifty
fifth congress and il was adjourned sine
die.
In part Speaker Reed said: Where I
have succeeded am sure to have your
final approval: where l have failed l am
sure you have given me credit for hon
Orable intention. When / COM
pare the opportunity you have given me
with what it has been possible to do, /
see how much / need your kind inGorse-
ment of today. for which / return thanks
and gratitude. With pleasant memories
for our past, which I shall always cher
ish, and best wishes for your future.
which l shall always entertain. 1 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 ap-
plause which arose from all sides, and
when he CONCLUDED Wa. the -c.9-.luuce-