Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-02
WEARY LAW MAKERS
Both Houses Endeavoring to Close
the Sessions Business.
FOUR APPROPRIATION BILLS PENDING
lhronged Galleries Witness the
Closing Scenes Of This Congress.
A l. L DAY TOMOR ROW

Both houses Of Congress will remain In
practically continuous session from this
afternoon until noon March L. taking occa-
| slonal recesses to allow the conference
committees to work. Great public interest
is manifested in the proceedings and the
Capiol has been thronged all day. The
| crowds are said to be larger than usual at
the close of the session preceding inaugu-
ration.
The public business is we'll advanced this
| afternoon. Only four appropriation bills re.
main to receive final action, the sundry
| civil, the rivers and harbors the general
deficiency and the naval appropriation bills
| All OF these are In conference except tho
| general deficiency.
| Acute differences exist between the two
houses with respect to the naval appro-
| priation bill
The conferees are In a snarl and the ex-
change of personalities has interfered 1t is
| said. with the conference. The principal
| Item In dispute between the houses is a pro-
| vision for three additional submarine tor
pedo boats. the Senate insisting and the
House resisting. 1t Is not considered pos
| slble that the bill will be permitted to fail
on this account, however.
Ihe rivers and harbors appropriation bill,
although not yet ordered to conference by
| the House, has been in reality in confer
ence since yesterday afternoon, and 1t is
said that the great bulk Of amendments
have been compromised. The path Of this
bill was somewhat beset with difficulty. but
strenuous efforts are being made to prevent
its failure
The sundry civil bill will be one Of tho
last bills agreed upon. There are many
items Of difference between the House and
Senate. some Of them of a most obstinate
character, and no doubt several confer
enceS will be necessary.
The general deficiency bill will probably
come over from the Senate tonight, and
will Immediately be sent into conference.
The leaders in both branches think that
there is no likelihood of the failure of any
important legislation, and believe that by
hard work public business can be dispatched
by an early hour Monday morning.
THE SENATE.
1t was a weary Senate that convened at
IL o'clock this morning to begin the pro-
ceedings OF the last legislative day of the
Fifty-sixth Congress. Senators, red-eyed
and tired looking, Showed the effect of tho
heavy strain of the past week. Curiously
enough many Of the older senators exhibit
ed less evidence OF the hard work and loss
Of sleep than some of their younger col-
leagues.
The galleries were thronged with people
who are here to attend the Inauguration
ceremonies.
While session Of the Senate in all prob
ability will be held tomorrow, there will be
no legislative day of March 3-Sunday.
Some time tonight recess will be taken
until an hour yet to be fixed tomorrow,
very likely in the afternoon. The Senate
then, constructively at least will be in ses-
sion until Monday noon, the whole of the
session from II o'clock today until noon on
Monday being under today's date.
The conference report on the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation bill
was presented by Mr. Allison and agreed
to.
The Deficiency Bill.
Mr.. Hale called up the deficiency bill,
and Mr. Pettigrew. who wanted vote on
a resolution debated yesterday. gave notice
that the passage of the bill would not be
facilitated by refusing him vote on the
resolution. There was some sparring over
the matter, In which Mr. Platt Comm re-
buked Mr.. Pettigrew for his position.
Mr.. Pettigrew demanded that the def
cheney bill be read In full.
An understanding was soon after reached.
Mr.. Hale withdrew the deficiency bill and
Mr.. Cullom reported the bill Mr.. Pettigrew
was trying to get before the Senate. The
resolution of Mr.. Pettigrew directing the
military committee to investigate the
charges against Lieutenant Colonel Heistand
was adopted. Then the deficiency bill was
again taken up without opposition.
During the reading of the deficiency bill
the Senate agreed to conference on the
sundry civil appropriation bill, Senators
Hale and Cockrell being named as
conferees.
After the reading of the bill had been
concluded and committee amendments
agreed to, many amendments of minor inn
portance were offered by individual sena-
tors Some Of them were stricken out on
points Of order, few being adopted.
Among those adopted was one offered by
Mr. Hansbrough to give the employees OF
Congress a months extra pay.
Mr. Hale remarked that no power in
heaven or among men could prevent the
adoption Of the amendment.
The general deficiency appropriation bill
was passed. This is the last Of the appro-
priation bills.