The record-union., 1899-03-05
Breaks With the Upper House Disposing Of
Many Nominations.
All Attempts at New Legislation
in the Closing Hours Unsuccess-
full, the Senators Confning
Themselves in Open Session to
Consideration Only of Reports
of Conferrees on the Deficiency
and Naval Bills.


Fifty-fifth Congress adjourned without
day at 12:0S o'clock to-day. 1t was
after a continuous session beginning at
IL o'clock 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 nomi-
nations. When the doors were opened
there was seen but a handful of tired
and haggard- looking Senators, who
were waiting for the final reports from
the conference on the two bills yet in
dispute. Finally Mr.. 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 We're unsuccessful. Then the gall
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.
Were they patiently waited for the doors
to be opened. When this was done only
! five minutes remained of the Congress.
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.
President Mckinley and his entire
Ca binet 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 AMI
everything was ready for the close.
! The resolution thanking Vice Presi-
dent Hobart and President pro TEN
Frye was adopted and the Vice Presi-
| dent responded in an appropriate adj
dress and the Senate, which had been in
turmoil for several days, quietly came
! to an end
| When the Senate reconvened at 1920
this morning the galleries were crowd
! ed
On motion of Mason, printing of the
testimony taken in the investigation of
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
was ordered
Fairbanks moved the consideration of
the bill extending the immigration laws
to the Hawaiian Islands SIR. Pettus
| objected on behalf of his colleague.
Morgan. The bill, however, was taken
up and Pettigrew spoke upcn it. He
asserted that since the annexation of
the islands 10000 slave lahorers had
been imported
Perkins also urged action at the
present session, declaring that theycon-
, tract laborers in Hawaii were secured
at one-third the cost to the sugar max
ers of California
Without action a motion by MORGAN
to go into executive session was carried
ayes 50, noes %, and the crowded gall
leries were soon vacated to permit the
last executive session of the Congress.
At 11:45 o'clock the doors of ,1e
Senate were opened. and the Senate be-
gan it's last legislative session of the
present Congress
Hoar and German were appointed
committee to join similar committee
of the House to inform the President
that the Senate was ready to adjourn
A joint resolution was adopted ac-
cepting from the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts the cession of a certain
tract of land in Boston harbor to ex-
tend the limits of the United States
Navy Yard at that port.
Hoar reported that the committee
had waited on the President of the
United States, and had been instructed
" ha
public business which had been laid be-
fore him by the two houses. and that
he had no further communications to
make; that the two houses had reached
the end of very laborious and i'm
portant session, and that he wished
their members a safe return to their
homes.
Cockrell presented the usual resolu-
ton of thanks to the Vice President,
and Vest to Senator Frye. as Presi-
dent pro tempore of the Senate, for the
courteous and impartial manner in
which they had presided over the DELHI
erations of the Senate. Both resolu-
lions were unanimously adopted
Vice President Hobart then addressed
the Senate as follows: Senators: In
a few moments the Fifty fifth Congress
will pass into history. 1t has been
a Congress distinguished beyond most
other Congresses for remarkable
achievements. During it's life, unlike
any other session in the history of our
country, this Congress had witnessed
the inception, prosecution and conclu-
sion of a war with a, foreign power I'M
dertaken in the interest of humanity
and conspicuous for the brilliant deeds
of the army and navy, by whose vaior
an imperial domain has been added to
our possessions and millions of people I,
to our population
But not only has this Congress been
a war Congress; it will always be |
memorable as a. Congress. of peace, and
in securing it this body has exercised |
its constitutional function as a part of |
the treaty and peace-making power in
a way to command the approval of the
whole country.
These facts alone would have made |!