The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-04
CONGRESS ENDS.
Both Houses Adjourn Shortly
After Noon.
The River and Harbor Bill
Passed by the House
At an Early Hour This Morning
Without Division.
ALL NIGHT SESSION
With an Occasional Recess Of a
Few Minutes.
Members Fall Asleep With
Heads on Desks.

ment was reported by Chairman Burton,
who moved its adoption.
The conference report was agreed to
without division. This was the last
legislative stage of the bill and it was
ready for the president.
At 4:40 a. m. the house took a recess
until o'clock when the naval confer
ence report was expected.
At a. m. Mr. BOutelle presented
partial conference report on the naval
bill. 1t covered everything save the
three big items, new ships. price of
armor and a government armor factory.
Mr.. BoutelIe stated that the senate con-
ferees were weakening, particularly in
the reduction of ships and he thought
the house would win on the next con-
ference. The partial report was adopted.
The house insisted on its provision as
to ships and price of armOr.
Mr.. Handy of Delaware moved to re-
cede and concur in the senate amend
ment for a government armor factory;
lost, BAIT.
The three main items then were sent
back to conference.
The speaker announced as visitors to
the United States military academy
Representatives DalzeI, Steele and
Settle.
At 500 a recess was taken for twenty
minutes.
At this time four appropriation bills
were still in conference-naVal, sundrJ,
CIVIL, deficiency and District OF COlum-
bia, but they were reported to be pro-
crossing in a satisfactory rate.
The two hours, from $50 to 7:30. were
spent in recess, the house reaSSembling
every now and then to see if any work
was ready.
At 7:3O a few early stragglers came
into the galleries. The chamber was
still lighted with the myriad of electric
lights in the glass ceilings; members
were lounging about, some of them
sleeping On sofas, others with heads
bent on their desks; the floors Uttered
with the waste paper and congressional
wreckage of a whole day; the BARRIERS
began to be busy and the tired MEM
bers went in groups to the restaurant
for breakfast.
At 7:45 the District of Columbia con-
ference report was presented and an
extended debate occurred on sectarian
charitable institutions
Both the senate and house agreed to
all appropriation bills. At 1870 each
resumed sessions after recess. The
Pacific cable amendment failed.
In naval appropriation bill the house
won all it's amendments for increase of
the navy and the senate amendment
reducing the price of armor plate to
$500 prevailed.
The senate amendment for an armor
plate factory was eliminated from the
bill.
FINAL CEREMONIES.
At IL O'Clock the final ceremonies be-
gan. On motion of Mr.. DalzeH a resO-
speaker to appoint a committee of
three to join a similar committee from
the senate to wait upon the president
and inform him that the two houses
had completed their business and were
ready to adjourn unless the president
had some further communication to
make to congress.
The last legislative act of the house
was the passage of a joint resolution
authorizing the acceptance by the
United States of the cession of A tract
of land from the state of MaSSachu-
setts to extend the lines of the Boston
navy yard. 1t was Has by the clock.
but the assistant dOOrkeeper with
long pole set back the hands ten min
utes. This raised a loud laugh. I'M
mediately afterward came a most dra-
matte episode.
JOE WHEELER SQUELCHED.
Gen Wheeler of Alabama, who has
carefully refrained from exercising his
privilege as a member of the house,
pending the determination of the ques-
ton as to his right to a seat in the
house. arose from his old seat down
near the front on the Democratic side
and loudly asked for recognition.
MIR. Speaker, MIR. Speaker" he
called.
The speakers face was flushed
slightly, but he looked straight ahead
as if he did not hear.
Il ask unanimous consent to speak
for five minutes shouted the general.
But the speaker disregarded him.
diminutive figure of the grizzled 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 con-
sent to speak for three minutes" de-
manded Gen. Wheeler
The speaker then turned toward him
for the first time, and, looking straight
into the gray eyes of the general, ig-
nored his request completely, putting
the motion of Mr.. Payne and declaring
it carried
AS the hands of the clock pointed to
seven minutes to II, although it was
really three minutes past the hour, the
committee appointed 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 it's duty and the president
had made reply that he had no further
communication to make.
But five minutes remained. In it was
enacted one of the most dramatic scenes
ever witnessed in the hall of represen-,
tatives. Mr.. Payne summoned Mr..
Dockery Oem., MOI, to the chair and
he in turn recognized Mr.. Bailey, the
minority leader in this congress, to pre-
sent the resolutions, thanking the
speaker for the impartial manner in
which he had presided over the deIib-
erations of the house. A great hush fell