The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-03-16
Last Scenes In the Expiring Congress
Intensely Dramatic.

The Speaker had retired to his
room and Mr.. Payne. the Speaker
pro tenn, was in the chair. Mr..
Dalzell, in the center, announced
that the committee had fulfilled ite
duty and that the President had made
reply that he had no further commu-
nication to make.
1.-The President requested us to
state, he continued, "that the Fifty
fifth Congress had performed its ex-
traordinary duties manfully, and he
requested me to extend to each and
every member his best wishes for his
safe return to his home,
Great applause greeted this an
nouncement. But five minutes re.
NAMED. In it was enacted one of
the most dramatic scenes ever wit
messed in the Hall of Representatives.
Mr.. Payne summoned Mr. Dockery
of Missouri to the chair, and he in
turn recognized Mr.. Bailey, the mi
nority leader in this Congress, to
present the resolutions thanking the
Speaker for the impartial manner il
which he had presided over the de-
alterations of the House. A great
hush fell upon the vast conoourse in
the galleries as Mr.. Bailey began to
speak.
Mr.. Dockery, when the applause
had subsidized, appointed Messrs. Bal
ley, Bell (Pop.) Of Colorado and
Payne to escort the Speaker to the
chair. A moment later, as the Speak
er emerged from the lobby escorted
by the committee, the cheers that
greeted his appearance made the raj
ters ring. Slowly the commanding
figure of the Speaker assembled the
rostrum. Gracefully Mr.. Dockery
informed him ofthe action of the
House and then relinquished the
gavel to him.
As the Speaker faced the House
the stiffness Of death settled down
upon it. The people in the CALLER
les seemed to have ceased to breathe,
so oppressive and impressive was the
silence. The Speaker fairly lowered
over his surroundings. He was
dressed in black cutaway and wore
a dark red tie. Slowly and with
great deliberation he returned his
thanks for the compliment the House
had conferred upon him. He said:
"In laying down for the third time
the insignia Of an Office which has
but one superior and no peer,
might, perhaps, fairly congratulate.
myself upon having had grea. OPP
portunity to administer great offic,
in the fashion indicated by the noble
words known to our law, without
fear, favor or hope of reward.
Where have succeeded l am sure
to have your final approval; where
have failed / am sure you have given
me credit for honorable intention.
Notwithstanding any differences
OF opinion or of party, you have Civ
en- me your confidence in all which
pertained to my duties here in man.
ner so full and ample that my mem.
ory ofitwill never pass away. When
! compare the opportunity you have
given me with what it has been pos
sible to do, see how much neec
your kind endorsement OF today, fol
which l return you thanks and graft
tude. With pleasant memories foI
our past, which shall always cher
ish, and best wishes for your future
which Ishall always entertain, Inov
declare this House adjourned with
out day."
Half q dozen times during tn,
progress OF his remarks the Speake
was obliged to pause, owing, to tn
spontaneous applause which aros
from all sides, and when he conclud
ed with the announcement that til
House stood adjourned sine die, tn
applause and cheers were deafening
The galleries joined the outburs
Suddenly some members down nea
the rostrum began singing, an
above the din arose the strains
"My Country, It's of Thee"
Il The air was taken up, the gale,
les caught the inspiration as one ma
and everybody rose and joined in ii
singing until in one grand Choir,
thousands were voicing the beaut
full words of the national anthem.
1t was a scene to live lifetime
witness and fitting aud patriot
climax for the great war Congress.
Down in front the gallant Gener
Henderson, with his cane aloft, W,
beating time for the air, while a
around on the floor and in the ga
leries the inspiring words poured o,
III immense volume. The emotions
side OF the vast concourse was toucl
ed, and there were tears in man
eyes. When the anthem was col
Guided, General Henderson starte
"Auld Lang Syne," and it also WI
was sung with will.
Suddenly John Murray Mitche