Gilpin observer., 1900-06-14
ITEMS OF INTEREST
FROM WASHINGTON.

priated S1S,OOO,OOO. are ready for the
builders to bid upon tomorrow. Plans
for the six great armored cruisers,
more powerful than any ship at pres
ent in the service. and to cost for hulls
and machinery alone over S25,0O0,0O0,
are well advanced and should be final
ly approved next month. The general
features of the enlarged Olympia type
We're determined last fall before Con
gress appropriated $2.S00,O00 for the
hulls and machinery of each of them.
and there is no reason why their keels
should not be laid this summer. The
Navy Department is also preparing the
specifications and advertisements for
$4,000 tons of the highest quality
kruppized armor, which is expected
to cost between SIT. 100000 and S19.-
100000. The complete construction
program authorizes contracts for hullS,
and machinery alone amounting to
SOL 100000, which includes five battle
ships at S3,GOO.O0O each. six cruisers at
S4,25O,OOO each, and three improved
Olympias at $2,S0O,O00 each.
In marked contrast with the exciting
incidents attending the bitter Strug-
giles of the closing hours of the session
in the House, Speaker Henderson laid
down his gavel this afternoon at the
conclusion of one of the most pictur-
esque scenes which has ever occurred
in the hall of representatives. During
brief recess taken within thirty min
utes of the time fixed for the final ad-
journment to give the President an op-
portunity to afiix his signature to the
bills that were being rushed to him for
approval, a group of members began
singing patriotic airs. Columbia. Gem
of the Ocean," Aud Lang Syne."
The Red, White and Blue" success
sively rang out. As the singing pro-
ceeded members joined the group un-
til. 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 com
pared with the remarkable demonStra-
tion which followed when, in a clear
ringing tenor. Mr.. Fitzgerald of Mas
sachusetts started the national anthem
with the inspiring words. Through the
dawn's early light" In an insisht all
the men. women and children in the
galleries We're on their feet Joining in
the singing. The mighty chorus from
thousands of throats rcverberated
through the hall. making the pulses
leap and the blood tingle. 1t was n
magnificent and soul-inspiring spec
tacle. The ladies kept time TO the
rythm of the music with their handker-
chiefs. and the men beat the measure
with their hands. The Speaker, paus-
ing as he entered the hall. raised his
voice also. The excitement overcame
a white-haired old man in one of the
upper galleries, and when the song
ceased he jumped upon his seat and
shouted: THAT is the song of the an
gels of heaven" After Speaker Hen
derson had made graceful farewell
speech, thanking the members for their
courtesy and had declared the House
adjourned, the members testified to
his popularity by singing For He is n
Jolly Good Fellow" and the newspaper
correspondents in the press gallery eel
ebrated by singing the "Doxology."