Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-05
STRAIN TELLS on SENATOR'S
Old r Members, Particularly, Worn Out BY
the ALI Night Session.
WARREN FIGHTS FOR STORAGE RESERVOIRS
Talks for Five Hours and Gets Bill
Recommitted to Conference
House Refuses to Accept the
Senate Provision.

HAHa" va. Naa- ~ N-N A AAMa Aaa.f
congress adjourned without day eight
minutes after Il o'clock today. It was after
a continuous session, beginning at II o'clock
on Friday, with the exception Of one hour
recess during The forenoon.
The day OF FINAL adjournment broke with
the senate In executive session disposine OF
a large number Of nominations. When the
doors we're opened there we're seen but a
handful OF tired and hagEard-looking sena-
tors, who we're waiting for the final reports
from the conferees on the two bills yet in
dispute. 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
vas finally over and the weary senators
took a short recess.
Upon r~eassembling the senate took on a
new appearance. The chamber had been
cleaned up and the senators came back with
a more spruce appearance. Some few at
tempts al legislation were made, but all
were unsuccessful. Then the galleries filled
with gaily-dreSsed visitors, who we're there
to see the final ceremonies. They were not
long permitted to enjoy themselves, as an
executive session drove them into the cor
ridors. where they patiently waited for the
doors to be reopened. When this was done
only FIVE minutes remained OF the congress,
but the hands Of the clock we're turned back
ten minutes to give time for the usual COM
plimentary resolutions and the address OF
the vice president.
President Mckinley and his entire cabinet
had come to the capitol and were in the
presidents room back Of the chamber, where
the various bills were hurried for signature.
Finally, the last big appropriation bill had
received the presidents approval and every
thing was ready for the close. The resolu.
lions thanking Vice President Hobart and
I the president pro TEN, Frye, were adopted.
the vice president responding in an appro-
pirate address. and then the senate, which
had been in a turmoil for several days,
quietly came to an end.
At $50 a. m, when the transaction Of
legislative business was resumed, Mr.. Frye
reported that the senate conferees had been
unable to induce the house conferees to
reopen the agreement already made, and
the measure must stand or fall, according
10 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 as it stood, and in a
graceful speech gave up the fight which he
had made against heavy odds. Without an
other word of debate the river and harbor
report was agreed to.
Following quick upon this agreement an
other bone Of contention was tossed hto the
senate in the form of a partial report Of
the naval bill conferees. Mr.. Hale Of 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.
They also failed 70 agree on the provision
for 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 conferees
recede from their amendment. This motion
created a lively debate, Mr., Hale, Mr.. TIL
man of South Carolina, Mr.. Chandler of
New HAMPSHIRE and Mr.. Butler Of North
Carolina being the leading participants.
The senate voted down Mr.. Hale's motion
and sent the bill back to conference.
Report on sundry Civil Bill.
At $50 Mr.. Allison Of Iowa presented a
partial report on the sundry civil bill. The
conterees still disagreed upon several items,
principal among which were the public
building amendment and the providing for
construction Of the Hawaiian cable.
The partial report presented by the con-
ference committee was then adopted,
ON motion of Mr.. Allison the senate re-
coded. after considerable discussion, from
the senate amendment inserting several
public building projects, the bills for which
had not passed both branches OF congress,
Mr. Allison then moved that the senate
recede from the remainder Of the amend
ments in controversy. including the Pacific
cable project. This motisn was vigorously
discussed by Mr.. Petrisrew, Mr.. Chandler
and Mr.. Butler. The last named denounced
the action Of the house in delivering "ulti-
marums" to the senate as cheek concen-
trated and gall compounded" and an insult
TO the senate
The senate then voted on Mr.. Allison's
motion to recede from the remaining amend
ments in dispute and it was carried, only
thrae or four voices being heard in the
negative. That disposed Of the sundry civil
? hill and II will now go to the president.
The final conference report on the District
Of Columbia appropriation bill was agreed
to without division.
On motion of Mr.. Hansbrough Of North
= Dakota the senate then. at 7 o'clock, wenl
} into executive session.
Al 2 o'clock the senate resumed business
l in legislative session, Soon afterward Mr..
Hale OF Maine presented the conference re-
port on the deficiency bill and it was agreed
to without debate.
At s.35 a. m. Mr.. Hale presented the final
conference report on the naval appropriation
bill and II was submitted 10 the senaEe' MT
Hale said that perhaps there was never an
appropriation bill concerning which the
action OF the conferees was beset with more
difficulties than this bill. He announced
that the house had refused absolutely to
authorize the construction of a government
armor plate plant.
Price of Armor Fixed.
Mr.. Hale then explained that the report OF
the conference committee fixed the price OF
armor for the ships authorized by this bill
at $500 a ton, no contract for the bulls to
be made until contracts had been made for
the armor. The number of battleships
armored cruisers and protected cruisers re-
main as fixed in the house bill. The secre-
tary OF the navy is authorized TO contract for
2 armor for the ships provided for in the naval
appropriation bill Of 1895 at S4OO a ton.
Mr.. Butler asked: win We conclude any
!, contracts for new war vessels under the
pending bill il II becomes a law?"
Mr.. Hale: No, / think not. / believe
Ne shall do no more than get out the plans
and specifications for the authorized ships
and decide about turrets and the like. OF
course. the senate conferees had to yield
something"
Mr.. Tllman, But We seem TO have