The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-08
Members of the House Sing Patriotic
Songs, and Men, Women and Chill
drcn in Galleries Jcfn In.
TRIBUTE TO THE SPEAKER
CRANK OVERCOME WHEN THE SONG
OF THE ANGELS Is SUNG.
Closing Scenes I'm the senate-Nonpar-
tisan Tribute to President Pro
Tenn. Frye and His Reply.

WASHINGTON. June 7.--In marked con-
trast with the exciting incidents attend
ing the bitter struggles of the closing hours
of the session. Speaker Henderson laid
down his gavel at o'clock this afternoon.
at the conclusion OF one Of the most pic
turesque scenes which has ever occurred
in the hall OF representatives. Party pas
sion and personal rancor, which have
brought the House to the brink of actual
riot several times during the last forty
eight hours, gave way. In the closing half
hour TO good fellowship. which found vent
in a patriotic outburst that stirred the
crowded galleries TO the highest pitch OF
enthusiasm. During a brief recess, taken
within thirty minutes OF the time fixed for
the final adjournment. to give the Presi-
dent an opportunity to affix his signature
to the bills that were being rushed to him
for approval, group OF members. led BY
Messrs. Mercer OF Nebraska, Ball of Texas.
Fitzgerald of Massachusetts,, ana Tawney
of Minnesota. congregated in the area to
the left of the speakers restrum and be-
gan singing patriotic airs.
As the singing proceeded members Joined
the group until. without regard to age or
party, the entire membership of the House
Joined in the choruses. The spectators in
the galleries applauded each song until
the strains of Dixie" filed the hall. Then
their unbounded enthusiasm broke out in
wild cheers. But the enthusiasm Dixie"
evoked was not to be compared with the
remarkable demonstration which followed
when, in a clear, ringing tenor, Mr.. Fitz-
gerald. of Massachusetts. started the ma
tional anthem with the inspiring words.
Through the dawn's early light" In an
instant all the men, women and children in
the galleries were on their feet joining I'm
the singing. The speaker, pausing as he en-
tered the hall. raised his voice also
A CRANK ELECTED.
The excitement produced by the scene
overcame white-haired old man in one
of the public galleries and when the song
ceased he jumped upon his seat and
shouted. THAT is the song OF the angels
of heaven" He was plainly a crank, but
as he showed disposition to harangue
the House. he was quickly elected.
After Speaker Henderson had made a
graceful farewell speech, thanking the
members for their courtesy, and had de-
clared the House adjourned, the members
testified TO his popularity by singing For
ne Is ~ Jolly SOoQ IclOWs and the news
paper correspondents in the press gallery
celebrated their emancipation from the
burdens of Congress by singing the "Dox-
ology'
The principal feature OF the closing day
in the House was the reversal OF its action
last night I'm turning down the conferees
on the naval bill for yielding on the item
relating TO ocean surveys. Over night the
sentiment Of the House underwent a COM
plete change and to-day the members
voted, by a large majority. to accept out
right the Senate amendment which goes
much further than the compromise which
the conferees offered last night. The new
conferees. led by Mr.. Cannon. who had
brought in a compromise which they con-
sidered more satisfactory. were ignomini-
ously pushed aside. 1t was a distinct VIC
tory for the old conferees-Messrs. Foss OF
Illinois, Dayton of West Virginia. and
Cummings of New York The other feature
Of the closing day was the course OF Mr..
Lentz, of Ohio, in blocking unanimous con-
sent legislation. For three days he has OBJ
jected to bills because the majority would
not allow the testimony I'm the Occur
dAlene investigation TO be printed, and he
maintained his position 10 the end.
OPENING OF THE SESSION
When the House reconvened at 10 o'clock
this morning IL was stin Tuesday under the
legislative fiction. AS the conferees on the
naval bill were not ready 10 report the
House adjourned until u o'clock
At noon the legislative day Of Thursday
began. Many of the members who had
counted upon final adjournment yesterday
was danger Of a quorum failing The lead
ers on both sides could with difficulty per-
suade members to remain at their post The
reading of the journal. which covered al
most forty-eight hours Of continuous ses-
sion. occupied over twenty minutes.
Mr.. Richardson. the Democratic leader.
asked unanimous consent for consideration
OF resolution TO appropriate $1,000 for the
repair of roads in Rock Creek Park
Until we can have the coeur d'Alene
testimony printed exclaimed Mr.. L.entx
of Ohio. I'VE can foreso the pleasure drives
m Rock Creek Park"
An amusing incident followed. Mr.. Gros-
venor. OF Ohio. claimed the floor as a mat
ter of personal privilege 10 deny a news
paper report OF q scene which occurred dur
ing the exciting uproar in the House last
night. when Mr.. Cannon. OF Illinois. and
Mr.. Wheeler. OF New York. embraced each
other in the center aisle. The report stated
that IL was Mr.. Grosvenor who had en-
braced Mr.. suizer. Mr.. Grosvenor caused
much merriment by repudiating the alleged
Incident.
Mr.. Terry. OF Arkansas. added TO the fun
by remarking that IL was a question as 70
whose privilege IL was TO deny the incident
and Mr.. sulser remarked that he was glad