The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-07
SENATE.

Washington, March 4.-Vice PreSi-
dent Hobart declared the senate of
the Fifty-fifth congress adjourned
without day eight minutes after II
o'clock today, after a continuous ses-
day, with the exception of one hour
recess during the forenoon.
The day of final adjournment broke
with the senate in executive session,
disposing of a large number of nomi-
nations. When the doors were open
ed there were seen but a handful of
tired and haggard looking senators who
were waiting for the final reports from
the conferees on the two bills yet in
dispute. Finally Senator Hale appear
ed 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 was fin
ally over and the weary senators took
a short recess.
Upon reassembling the senate took
on new appearance. Ine chamber
had been cleaned up and the senators
came back to the closing meeting with
a more spruce appearance. Some few
attempts at legislation were made, but
all were unsuccessful.
Then the galleries filled with gaily
dressed visitors, who were there to see
the final ceremonies. They were not
long permitted to enjoy themselves, as
an executive session drove them into
the corridors, where they patiently
waited for the doors to be opened.
When this was done only five minutes
remained of the congress, but the
hands of the clock were turned back
10 minutes to give time for the usual
complimentary resolution and the ad-
dress of the vice president.
President Mckinley and his entire
cabinet had come to the capitol and
were in the presidents room back of
the senate chamber, where the various
bills were hurried for signature.
Finally the last big appropriation
bills had received the presidents ap-
proval and everything was ready for
the close The resolutions thanking
Vice President Hobart and President
pro tenn Frye were adopted the vice
president responding in appropriate
address, and the senate, which had
been in a turmoil for several days,
quietly came to an end.
1t was $3.50 o'clock this morning be-
fore the river and harbor bill was dis
posed of. The house refused to agree
to the senate amendment making an
appropriation for the construction of
reservoirs at the head waters of the
Missouri river. Senator Warren, re-
publican, of Wyoming, who had fought
for the retention of this amendment,
yielded and the report was agreed to.
Fillowing quickly upon this agree
ment, another bone of contention was
tossed into the senate in the form of
q partial report by the naval bill con-
ferees. Senator 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 a ton, and to that
authorizing the construction of gov
ernment armor plant in the event Of
the refusal Of the armor companies to
accept the price fixed by the senate.
Senator Hale moved that the senate
conferees recede from the amendment.
This motion created a lively debate,
Senators Hale, Tillman, Chandler and
Butler being the leading participants.
The senate voted down Senator Hale's S
motion and sent the bill back to con-
ference.
At $50 o'clock Senator Allison pre-
sented a partial report on the sundry
civil bill. The conferees still disagreed
upon several items, principal among
which were the public buildings
amendment and that providing for the
construction of the Hawaiian cable.
Both of these amendments aroused dis
cussion. The partial report presented
by the conference committee was then
adopted.
On motion of Senator Allison the
senate receded, after considerable dis
cussion, from the senate amendment
inserting several public building pro-
jects, the bills for which had not pass
ed both branches of congress.
Senator Allison then moved that the
senate recede from the remainder OF
the amendments in controversy, in
cluding the Pacific cable projects. This
motion was vigorously discussed by
Senators Pettigrew, Chandler and But
Ter. The last named denounced the ac.
ton of the house in delivering "ulti-
matums'' to the senate as cheek con-
centrated and gall compounded" and
an insult to the senate"
The senate then voted on Senator AL
lison's motion to recede from the re-
naming amendments in dispute and il
was carried, only three or four voices
being heard in the negative.
The final conference report on the
District of Columbia appropriation was
agreed to without division.
On motion of Senator Hansbrougf
the senate then, at o'clock, went int
executive session.
At O'Clock the senate resumed bus
mess in legislative session. Soon after
ward Senator Hale presented the con
ference on the general deficiency bill
and the report was agreed to withou
debate.
At S:35 O'Clock a. m. Senator Hal,
presented the final conference report O,