Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-03
ADJOURNMENT OF HOUSE
Sharp Debate between Cousins and
Richardson on Christmas Matter.

Washington, July Amid a scene Of en-
thusiasm that has not been paralleled since
the exciting and stirring days of the
Spanish war, Speaker Henderson at 5:3O
this afternoon declared the House of Rep
resentatives adjourned without day. In
doing so he said that no House of Repre-
sentatives since the adoption Of the con-
stitution had done as much work as this
one The audience to which he made his
brief address was brilliant one. The gal
leries were banked to the doors and al
most two-thirds of the members were in
their seats on the floor The speakers ap
preciative words to the members in thank
ing them for their cooperation during the
session had touched a responsive chord
a..a they gave him a remarkable demon
s;cstion of their friendship and good will
While the cheering and applause were
still IN progress the members on the floor
began singing My Country lis OF Thee"
1t was taken up by the correspondents in
the press gallery over the speakers chair
and by the spectators in the surrounding
galleries and soon the vast hall was ring
ing with the swelling chorus. Other pa
triotic airs followed the members eX-
changed farewell, The Star Spangled
Banner alternating with Dixie" The
speaker came down from his rostrom, his
appearance on the floor being greeted with
For He's Jolly Good Fellow" and a
perfect rush Of members to grasp his
hand. Standing in the area in front of the
clerks desk he too joined in the songs and
there was a wild scene when General
Hooker OF Mississippi, the old one armed
Confederate veteran, took his place by the
side of the speaker and together they sang
Dixie"
Mr.. Gambler. Mississippi democrat,
jumped up on a desk and let out a yell of
jubilation that fairly shook the rafters.
Almost half an hour the jubilation con-
tinued, all this time the spectators re
NAMED standing in the galleries watching
the animated scene below and joining in
the singing.
The adjournment came at the end of a
seven and half hours session, during
which much minor business was transact
ed. In all 70 bills and resolutions were
passed. The general good feeling in the
House had been heightened by the victory
won over the Senate on the item in the
naval appropriation bill for the building
of a battleship in a government yard.
The closing hour was occupied with a
spirited debate between Mr.. Cousins OF
Iowa and Mr.. Richardson the democratic
leader, over the report on the investigation
into the charges made by Captain Christ.
mas concerning the sales of the Danish
West Indies. Mr.. Cousins ridiculed Mr.
Richardson for bringing the matter to the
attention of Congress The latter defended
his course.
At 2:2O p m, Mr.. Payne chairman oil
the ways and means committee. presented
a resolution for sine die adjournment al
b3O o'clock this afternoon.
Mr.. SulZer of New York moved to recon-
init, with introductions to substitute July
6 for July !. His motion was lost 81 to Il
and though Mr.. Sulzer loudly demanded
an opportunity to be heard, the adjourn
ment resolution without debate was car
ried 1877 to &C.
Several conference reports on belatet
bills then were hurried through.
Mr.. Dalzell chairman Of the special com
mittee to investigate the facts In connec
tion with the purchase OF the Danish Yves
Indies, presented its report, which was
ordered printed and referred to the Hous,
calendar.
Mr.. Cousins Of Iowa moved to take VI
the report.
Pending that motion Mr.. Underwood OF
Alabama moved that the House take a re-
cess for one hour 1t was defeated 80 tc
101. Mr.. Cousins then, In humorous fash
ion, described the pretensious claims OF
Christmas in the matter of the sale of thu
Danish islands. He reviewed the test
mony to show that the whole story Of
Christmas having attempted to bride Con
gress was utterly ridiculous.
Mr.. Richardson, the democratic leader
replying briefly said when the secret re
port Of Captain Christmas to the Danisl
government containing statements az L
the alleged bribery of members of Con
eress was called to his attention in an at
fidavit as to its authenticity he Orchard
SOM considered IL worthy of Investigation
He asserted that the proof was conclusive
that Christmas was the agent of Den
mark and indeed OF the American stat
department
"There is not one iota OF proof In supper
OF the latter statement" interposed Mr.
Dalzel Of Pennsylvania.
Il have the proof here" replied Mr.. Rich
brdson who read the testimony concern-
ing the letter Of Introduction to Secretary