Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-05

carefully RETAINED from exercising bis priv
llege as member OF the house. pending the
determination OF the question as 20 his right
to a seat tn the house. arose from his old
seat down near the front on the democratic
side and loudly asked for recognition.
Mr.. Speaker Mr.. Speaker he called.
The speakers face was flushed slightly
but be looked straight ahead as 10 be ala
not hear.
~ ask unanimous consent TO speak for
FIVE minutes, shouted the general. But
the speaker isrega-led him. Every eve
was now rivctel upon the d~iminutive figure
OF The g-izzled old veteran OF two wars
The situation was intensely dramatic, but
Mr.. Payne. the floor leader OF the majority,
hurried TO the rescue. He moved a recess
for ten minutes.
Pending that I ask unanimous consent
70 speak for three minutes demanded Cen
aral Wheeler.
The speaker then turned toward him for
the first time and. looking straight into the
eyes Of the general ignored his request com
pletely. putting the motion Of Mr.. Payne and
declaring it carried.
Minute Hand Lays Behind.
AS the laDQS or ile CLOCK pointed 10 seven
minutes to l.. although it was really three
minutes past the hour, the committee APP
pointed TO wait upon the president marched
down the aisle.
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 its duty and
that the president had made reply that he
had no further communication TO make.
'"The president requested us to state, - he
continued. that the Fifty-ffth congress
had performed its extraordinary duties man
fully and he requested me to extend to each
and every member his best wishes for his
safe return 20 his home
Great applause greeted this announcement
But five minutes remained. In it was en-
acted one OF the most dramatic scenes ever
witnessed in the hall Of representatives. Mr..
/ Payne summoned Nj. Dockery, democrat Of
Missouri, 10 the chair and he in turn recog-
nized Mr.. Bailey. the minority leader in this
congress. to present the resolutions thanking
the speaker for the impartial manner in
which he had presided over the delibera-
lions of the house A great hush fell upon
the vast concourse in the galleries as Mr..
Bailey began TO speak. He said:
It is an admirable trait of the American
character and il is one which will tend to
the permauenCe Of our Institutions, that no
matter how We may contend against each
other over our differences of opinion. each
is always ready to accord TO the other what
ever praise may be deserved, This COM
mendable spirit has led some shallow men
to c~riticise us because they could not COM
prehend how We could so strenuously combat
the principles Of our adversaries and still re-
spect those adversaries themselves. These
men do not know that a large majority Of
the men in every party of this country sim
~ 1Hl~- wha~ = NarEA -nHrrH4rH ~ HhA
men in every other party are earnestly
anxious to promote our country's welfare
lapplausej.
And it is out of this broader spirit that a
custom has grown which is as old as the
house itself, that in the closing hours Of
every session there shall be offered a resolu-
ton like that which I now send to the clerks
desk.
The resolution was read as follows:
Resolved. That the thanks of the house are
rendered TO the Hon. Thomas 3. Reed, for
the able, impartial and d~igniied manner in
which he has presided over its deliberations
and performed the arduous and important
duties OF the chairman.
The reading of the resolution was greeted
with tumultuous applause. Mr.. Bailey then
resumed:
We have not always agreed with the dis
tinguished occupant of the chair and we
have taken more than one occasion to en-
phasiZe cur dissent, but remembering the
momentous questions which have confronted
US in this congress and remembering, too,
the intense excitement which they aroused
throughout the country as well as in this
hall. the wonder is that those occasions wee
so few and in this hour of impartial retro
spect I do not hesitate TO say that he has
been as fair to US and to our side as any one
Of you, were our positions reversed, would
have been to him and to his side cloud ap-
plauseb.
The chair called for a rising vote
Every member was on his feet and the
resolution was unanimously agreed to amid
profound applause.
Mr.. Dockery, when the applause had sub
sided, appointed Messrs. Bailey, Bell OF
Colorado and Payne a committee 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.
Speaker Says Farewell.
AS the speaker faced the house the still,
ness OF death settled down upon It
Slowly and with great deliberatior
he returned his thanks for tn,
compliment the house had conferred upor
him. He said In laying down for III,
third time the insignia Of an Office whict
= has but one superior and no peer. / might
pei maps "a NAaE LIZ sci NPAA
having had a great opportunity to admin
ister a great office in the fashion indicate,
by the noble words known TO our law
Without fear, favor or hope OF reward.
; Where have succeeded I am sure to hav,
your final approval; where l have failed
am sure you have given me credit TO
I honorable intention.
Notwithstanding any difference o
y opinion or Of party, you have given me you
confidence in all which pertained 20 n,
. duties here in a manner so full and amplt
= that my memory OF it viii never pass away
When I compare the opportunity you hav
) given INC with what II has been possible {
do. ! see how much / need your kind en-
dorsement of today. for which I return yol
thanks and gratitude. With pleasan
memories for our past, which I shall Away
cherish. and best wishes FOR your future
which ! shall always entertain, l now de
lclare this house adjourned without day.