The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-05
La8t H0Ur8 Of Congress
THE FINAL SESSION ENDED AT
NOON YESTERDAY,
The Sitting Had Been Prolonged Twenty
Five Hours-Passage of General De-
ficiency and Naval Bills.

Hobart declared the Senate of the
Fifty-ffth Congress adjourned without
day eight minutes after II o'clock today
after a continuous session beginning at III
o'clock on Friday with the exception of
one hours 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 we're opened
there were seen but handful of tirel
and haggard looking Senators who were
waiting for the final reports from the
conferees on the two bills yet in dis
pute. 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 Senator's took short
recess.
Upon reassemb:ing 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 were made, but all were
unsuccessful.
Then the galleries filled with gaily
dressed visitors who were there to see
the final ceremonies. They were not
long permitted to enjoy themselves, as
an executive session drove them into
the corridors, where they patiently wait
ed 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 them time for the usual compli-
mentary resolution and the address of
The Vice President.
President Mckinley and his enti;e
Cabinet had come to the capitol and
We're in the Presidents room back Of the
Senate chamber, where the various bills
were hurried for signature. Finally the
last big appropriation bill had received
the Presidents approval and everything
was ready for the close The resolutions
thanking Vice President Hobart and
President pro tenn Frye were adopted.
the Vice President responding in an
appropriate address, and the Senate,
which had been in a turmoil for sew
eral days, quietly came to an end
1t was $3.50 o'clock this morning be-
fore the River and Harbor Bill was dis
posed of. The House refused to agree
to the Senate anne ndment making n
appropriation for the construction o.
reservoirs at the headwaters of the
Missouri River. Mr.. Warren Rep..
Wyo.), who had fought for the reten-
tion of this amendment, yielded and the
report was agreed to.
Following quickly upon this agree
ment, another bone of contention was
tossed into the Senate in the form of
a partial report on the Naval Bill
conferees. Mr.. Hale (Maine) in charge
of the report, said the conferees had
been unable to agree upon the Senate
amendment reducing the price of armor
plate to $500 a ton and that authorizing
the construction Of a Government armor
plant in the event Of the refusal of the
armor companies to accept the price
fixed by the Senate.
Mr.. Hale moved that the Senate con
ferees recede from the amendment. This
motion created lively debate, Mr. Hale.
Mr.. Tillman Is. Co. Mr. Chandler (N
H.), and Mr.. Butler On. c., being the
leading participants. The Senate voted
down Mr.. Hale's motion and sent the
bill back to conference
At $50 Mr.. Allison Uowa), presented
partial report on the Sundry Civil
Bill. The conferees still disagreed upon
several items, principal among which
were the public building amendment
and that providing for the construction
of the Hawaiian Gable. Both of these
amendments aroused discussion.
The partial report presented by the
conference committee was then adopted
On motion of Mr. Allison the Senate
receded, after considerable discussion
from the Senate amendment inserting
several public buildings projects. the bills
for which had not passed both branches
of Congress.
Mr. Allison then moved that the Sen
ate recede from the remainder of the
amendments in controversy, including
the Pacific Gable project. This motion
was vigorously discussed by Mr.. Petit
grew, Mr.. Chandler, and Mr.. Butler.
The last named denounced the action
of the House in delivering ''ultimatums"
TO the Senate as 'cheek concentrated
aud gall compounded and an ''insult TO
the Senate
The Senate then voted on Mr.. ALI
son motion to recede from the remain
ing amendments in dispute, and it was
carried. only three or four voices being
heard in the negative.
Ihe hnal conference report on the
District OF Columbia Appropriation Bill
was agreed to without division.
On motion of Mr.. Hansbrough IN.
ID, the Senate then at Z o'colck went
into executive session.
At 5 O'Clock the Senate resumed busi-
ness in legislative session. Soon after
ward Mr.. Hale (Mainel, presented the
conference report on the General Def
cheney Bill and the report was agreed
to without debate.
At S:35 Il. m. Mr.. Hale presented the
final conference report on the Naval
Appropriation Bill and it was submitted
to the Senate.