Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-09
LAST HOURS OF CONGRESS
Senate and House In Continuous Ses-
sion Throughout the Night.
FIGHT ON RIVER AND HARB0R BILL
Naval Bill Also Makes a Hard
Contention.
LIVELY PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE

WaShlDStOn, MarCn las the dawn
broke over the Capitol, this morning,
o large majority of the membership OF
the Senate still was in or about the
chamber wherein the last Legislative
session of the Fifty fifth Congress
was drawing rapidly to n close. All
night long the Senators had been labor.
ing in terrific nervous strain to COM
plete the necessary legislation in order
that Congress might adjourn at noon
today with its decks comparatively
clear. Few, if any, of tbs members
had had a wink of sleep and the drawn
faces and heavy eyes of many of the
older Senators indicated the stress
under which they were working.
The anxiety of the early night over
the fate Of the River and Harbor bill
was partially dispelled at $3.50 this
morning. A determined effort had been
made FROM o'clock last night until 2
this morning by several Western Sena-
tors, headed by Mr.. Warren, II. +,
tWyo. J, to obtain a reconsideration Of
the report on the bill, because OF the
refusal Of the House confreres to con
sent that the Senate amendment
making an appropriation for the con-
struction Of reservoirs at the head
waters of the Missouri River should
remain in &. the bill. Mr.. Frye, In
charge of tho conference report, stead
fastly refused to permit the report to
be recommitted to the conference CON-
mittee, holding that such action would
defeat the measure, and just as stead
lastly he was sustained by majority
df the Senate.
Mr.. Warren occupied the floor in the
discussion OF the reservoir proposition
for five hours, occasionally being re-
lieved from the strain of speaking by
other Senators, who talked briefly on
the same subject. The situation
had every appearance of determined
effort not only to defeat the River and
llarbor bill, but also to prevent the
enactment of other great appropriation
measures.
Finally, at O'Clock, Senator Frye
consented to make one more effort TO
induce the House confreres to accept
the Senate reservoir amendment The
report was then committed TO tho con-
freres and the Senate went into execu
tive session.
At 3.30 when the transaction Of
legislative business was resumed, Mr..
Frye reported that the Senate confreres
had been unable to induce the House
confreres to reopen the agreement
already made, and that the measure
must stand or fall according to the
report made.
Then Mr.. Warren yielded. Rather
than imperil the interests of the
government and probably defeat some
of the appropriation bills, he was
willing to accept the report rs it stood,
and in q graceful speech gave up the
fight which he had made against heavy
odds. Without another word of debate
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 of the Naval bill con-
freres. Mr.. Halo, in charge of the
report, said the confreres had been
unable to agree upon the Senate
amendment reducing the price Of
armor plate to $500 ton, and to 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
ifreres recede from the amendment.
4 This motion created lively debate,
! Mr.. Hale, Mr.. Tillmap, Mr.. Chandler,
A aud MIR. Butler, being the leading
participants. The Senate voted down
Mr. Hale's motion and sent tho bill
back to conference.
THE sUGDRy CIVIL BILL.
At $50 Mr.. Allison presented a
partial report on the Sundry Civil
hill. The confreres still disagreed upon
several items, principal among which
were tho public buildings amendment
and that providing for the construction
r,f IL .... LII D-E e tl.ns,<
amendments aroused discussion. 1t was
urgently maintained that the Senate
confreres ought not to recede from the
public buildings amendment and equa
stress was laid on the Hawaiian cable
amendment. After a long discussion Of
the situation, Mr.. Pettus asked Mr..
Allison what he would advise the
Senate to do.
That" replied Mr.. Allison, sis q
pertinent question. My conviction Ii
that if we proceed further in this con
tention this bill will not become Law
ut this session. l wish, however, that
each Senator should exercise his owr
discretion and take his portion Of tht
responsibility in the matter. +" y
In answer to questions Mr.. Allison
said he did not believe that oven i
all the Senate amendment relating II
public buildings were reoeded from thu
House would consent to the insertion
Of the Hawaiian cable project.
The partial report as presented b,
the conference committee was thei
adopted.
On motion Of Mr.. Allison, the Senat,
receded, after considerable discussion
from the Senate amendment inserting
several public building projects, thu
hills for which had not passed boil
branches of Congress.
blr. Allison then moved that tn
Senate recede from the remainder o
the amendments in controversy, in
GLIDING the Pacific cable project. Thi
motion was vigorously discussed b!
Mr.. Pettigrew, Mr.. Chandler and Mr.
Butler. The last named denounced thu
action of the House in delivering
ultimatums" to the Senate us "cheel
concentrated and gall compounded,
and an insult to the Senate
Mr.. Hawley said that his measure
relating to the Hartford public build
ing was stricken out of the bill in con
ference, but nevertheless he felt it t.
90 MS duty to support the report OF tn
committee. "Then,' said Mr.. Butler,
me Senator will do what he has neye
done before-he will surrender. He i
whipped. !"
No, sharply replied Mr.. Hawley
am not whipped and l have not sur
rendered. But / regard It my duty t
submit in the interest of my countr
and will hope for better results mex
Time. In the name of mercy, justic
and righteousness let this everlastin
yak cease, and let us have VOTE
lnO Sonata Fptad np Mr. A lliann,