Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-03-09

two public building bills attached by
the senate to bills for public buildings
In other cities were agreed TO, one APP
propriating S250.000 for n building at
Los Angeles. Cal. and the other S'o,-
o0 for building at New Brighton,
Pa The senate bin appropriattng
S1iS.S0O to purchase 100000 acres or
land in accordance with the provisions
of the treaty with the Lower Brtiie
Indians was passed. A number OF
conference reports on minor bills were
adopted.
The senate.
During almost the entire session
yesterday the senate was engaged In
routine business. Three score or more
OF minor bills were passed, the calen-
dar being cleared entirely of private
pension bills and of measures correct
Inc military and naval records. TWO
measures of national Importance were
passed, the fortifcations appropriation
bin aud the bin providing a code OF
criminal laws for the district of Alas
ka. The Notifications bill was passed
precisely as Ii came from the Eouse
and goes 10 the president. The con-
ference reports ON the census and ma
val personnel bills were agreed to aud
these measures also go to the presi-
dent.
Washington. March 4.--Excitement,
confusion, heavy strain and hard
words characterized the last legislative
day Of the Fifty-sixth congress in the
senate At times the confusion was
so great in this usually staid and de-
corous body as to render the transac-
tion OF business almost impossible.
Business that ordinarily would have
had the undivided attention of every
senator on the floor was transacted
amidst so much noise that It was next
to impossible to follow the proceed
ings. Toward midnight order was be-
ing evolved from the seeming chaos OF
the early part Of the day and evening,
and the prospect was fair that con-
gress would adjourn at noon to-day
with it's absolutely necessary work
completed.
When the senate convened at III
o'clock yesterday morning 1t faced the
task OF considering two OF the great
appropriation bills those for the army
and for supplying the general detic-
iencies. The former carries appro-
priations exceeding SSO,OO0,O0O and
the latter about $20,00OOO0. With a
determination to complete the appro-
pration bills the senate began at IL
o'clock TO consider these bills, and Mt
s o'clock last night the army appro-
priation was passed, the deficiency
bill having been passed three hours
before. A conference report on the
Alaskan criminal bill was presented
and agreed to. A partial report on the
sundry civil appropriation bill was
agreed to. but the inability Of the SEN
ate conferees to secure an agreement
on the Hawaiian cable proposition
created heated discussion, in the
course of which Speaker Reed was al
luded to In uncomplimentary terms.
When the river and harbor conference
report was presented debate upon
the recession Of the senate conferees
from the senate amendment providing
for reservoirs TO irrigate arid lands at
the headwaters of the Missouri river
was precipitated by the advocates Of
the proposition. An effort was made
to recommit the bill to the conferees.
but It failed after an impassioned
speech by Senator Frye. who Submit
ted the report. At 1:30 p. m. the de-
bate was still In progress with no in
dications OF an early conclusion.
The House.
Crowded galleries looked down upon
the struggling members Of the house
as the closing scenes Of the last legis-
lative day Of this congress were being
enacted. Step by step the leaders in
charge of the appropriation bills
pushed them through the final stages
and during every lull In the consider
alton Of conference reports members
clamored for recognition for belated
local bills In the vain hope of rescuing
them from death on the calendar. At
times the house was like Betilam.
The noise and confusion on the floor,
punctured with the beating Of the
speakers gavel or backed with the
droning voices of the clerks, members
facing each other and talking at the
same time, pages scuTying up and
down the aisles, all this was utterly
distracting.
Mr.. Walker Of Massachusetts, after
many unsuccessful attempts. got an
opportunity during the afternoon to
voice his views on currency reform,
and severely criticised some OF his Re-
publican colleagues. When the great
beacon light on the dome blaZed forth
as darkness fell thousands upon thou
sands were attracted to the brilliant
ly illuminated wings of the capitol.
where the two houses were to sit out
the night. The big questions In dis
pute between the two houses being
naturally the last to be adjusted were
postponed far into the night. From
time to time short recesses were taken
These were simply breathing spells.
however, and soon the leaders were at
IL again harder than ever.
Washington. March 6.--vice Presi-
dent Hobart declared the senate OF the
Fifty-fifth congress adjourned with
out day at 1908 Saturday, after
continuous session beginning at IL
o'clock Friday. with the exception OF
I xrlv e..u