Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-04-05

swept away the traditional dignity OF
the senate yesterday Slaid sticklers
for senatorial dccorum literally hello
their sides and shouted with laughter,
while the crowded galleries Joined in
the laughing tumult, which not the
faintest effort was made to restrain:
Mr.. Pettus of Alabama, the oldest
member of the body in years, and only
a few months short of fore-score years,
delivered the funniest speech heard in
the senate chamber in many years
1t sprinkled with wit and dubbed over
with humor. Its sarcasm was keen,
but not bitter, and even those who
were the victims of it could not but
enjoy it's perfect good humor and
Joined in the fun. Throughout it all
Mr.. Pettus was as solemn as if he We're
delivering a funeral Grafton. Not q
smile softened the deep lines of his
strong and rugged countenance,. and,
as he stopped occasionally to mop the
perspiration from his face and head
with a big silk bandana, he glanced
about the senate as if in surprise at
the laughter of his colleagues. In
deed, he apologized ONCE for the light
ness Of the vein in which he was adj
dressing the senate on so important 4
question as the Porto Rican bill.
Mr.. Proctor of Vermont had de-
livered a forceful argument in support
Of free trade with the island of Porto
Rico. His speech was listened to AT
tentiyely by senators on both sides OF
the chamber, and at it's conclusion he
was congratulated even by some SEN
ators who did not agree with him. He
was followed by Mr.. Pettus. who de-
voted the first part Of his remarks to
the constitutional phases of the sub
ject. Then quite unexpectedly came
the fun as he sharpened his wit at the
expense of Mr.. Gallinger of New
Hampshire and Mr.. Beveridge of In
diana. cit was a gen." said sena-
tor, commenting upon Mr.. Pettus'
speech, land will long stand as one OF
the best examples Of senatorial fun
making
Senator Depew of New York was the
first to congratulate Mr.. Pettus, and
the New Workers. hearty hand-clasp
was followed by such an ovation as a
man seldom receives in the senate.
Former Senator Pugh, MI. Pettus' i'm
mediate predecessor from Alabama,
was one of those who particularly en-
joyed the speech. During the entire
session Mr.. Pettus received the con-
CALCULATIONS of his colleagues.
Considerable progress was made
with the Porto Rican measure during
the day, most of the committee amend
ments SO far offered being disposed of.
The House,
The house devoted the day to war
claims. The bill to remunerate the
British Gable company for expenses
incurred in repairing the Manila cable
which was under consideration several
weeks ago, was consigned to oblivion,
as was the bill to refer to the court of
claims the claims of citizens of certain
border counties of Pennsylvania who
suffered loss during the various incur
sions of rebel forces into that state
during the Civil war. This bill has
been before congress for many years
and involves about $3,45O,00O. The
following bills were passed: To refer
the claims of George w. Lawrence, in
volving SIT 200, in connection with the
construction of the monitor Wassuc, to
the court of claims; to refer the claim
Of Hiram Johnson and others for cot
ton burned in East Tennessee by the
Confederate forces. to the court of
claims, and to pay Matthias Peterson
Of Spring Valley, Wis, $500. BY Il
curious coincidence. Mr.. Cox of Ten
nessee, who commanded the Confed-
crate forces which destroyed the cot
ton in East Tennessee, for which the
government is now asked to pay. occu-
pied a seat on the floor while the bill
yraS DaSsa1