The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-05

Cpl Of Colorado and Payne to escort
the Speaker to the chair.
A moment later as the Speaker
emerged from the lobby escorted by the
committee, the cheers that greeted his
| appearance made the rafters ring.
Slowly the commanding figure of the
Speaker assembled the rostrum. Grace
fully Dockery informed him of the ac-
toni 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 galleries seemed to
have ceased to breathe, so oppressive
and impressive was the silence. The
Speaker fairly lowered over his sur
roundings. He was dressed in a black
cutaway and wore a dark red tie. Slow
~ and with great elaboration he re-
turned 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, I might
fairly congratulate myself upon having
a great opportunity to administer a
great office in the fashion indicated by
| >
without fear, favor or hope of reward
Where I have succeeded 1 am sure to
have your final approval; where 1 have
failed, l am sure you have given me
credit for honorable intention. Not
withstanding any differences of opinion,
or of party, you have given me your
confidence in all which pertained to my
duties here in a manner SO full and
ample that my memory of it will never
pass away. When 1 compare the OPP
portunity you have given me with what
it has been possible to do, 1 show how
much / need your kind Endorsement of
to-day, for which 1 return your thanks
and gratitude. With pleasant memories
for our past which 1 shall always cher
ish, and best wishes for your future,
which / shall always entertain, I now
declare this House adjourned without
day.
Half dozen times during the prog
ress of his remarks the Speaker was
obliged to pause owing to the spon-
taneous applause which arose from all
sides and when he concluded with the
announcement that the House stood adj
iourned sine die the applause and cheers
w Oi z QSolCLllS. lie galleries JUlI1tu
in the outburst Suddenly some mem
bers down near the rostrum began sing
ing and above the din arose the strains
of MY County, IT'S of Thee
The air was taken up, the galleries
caught the inspiration as one man, and
everybody rose, and Joined in the sing
ing until in one grand chorus. thous-
ands were voicing the beautiful words
of the national anthem.
1t was a scene to live life time to
witness, and a fitting and a patriotic
climax of the great war Congress. Down
in front General Henderson, with his
cane aloft, was beating time for the
air. while all around on the floor and in
the galleries the inspiring words poured
out in immense volume. The emotional
side of the vast concourse was touched
and there We're tears in many eyes.
When the anthem was concluded GEN
eral Henderson started AUD Lang
Ss-ne." and it was also sung with
will
Suddenly John Murray Mitchell waved
aloof small American flag, and mem
bers and galleries went wild. joining in
singing 1.-THE Red, White and Blue"
While the singing was in progress
Hull of Hull bill fame, jumped upon a
desk with a large red, white and blue
streamer. waving it to the rhythm of
the air and rebuilding the tumult. A
voice from the gallery shouted, Three
cheers for Dewey" and they were given
with violence and explosive vigor Then
three cheers for the army and navy and
finally for Joe Wheeler. This wonder
full termination concluded with the
singing of the "DoxoIogy.''