The semi-weekly messenger., 1902-07-04

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galleries were banked to the doors and
almost two-thirds of the members were
in their seats on the floor. The speak
er's appreciative words TO the members
in thanking them for their cooperation
during the session, had touched a re-
sponsive chord and they gave him a
remarkable demonstration of their
friendship and good will. While the
cheering and applause were still in
progress the members on the floor be-
gan singing MY Country, "Tis of Thee
1t was taken up by the correspondents
in the press gallery over the speakers
chair and by the spectators in the sur
rounding galleries and soon the vast
hall was ringing with the swelling
chorus. Other patriotic airs followed
as the members exchanged farewell.
THE Star Spangled Banner" alternat-
ing with Dixie" The speaker came
down from his rostrum. his appearance
on the floor being greeted with For
He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and q per-
feet rush OF members TO grasp his
hands. Standing in the area in front of
the clerks desk, he, too, Joined in the
songs and there was 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, a Mississippi democrat,
a
of jubilation that fairly shook the raft
ers For almost half an hour the jubi-
lation continued. All this time the
spectators remained standing in the
galleries watching the animated scene
below and joining in the singing.
The adjournment came at the end of
a seven and a half hours session, dur
ing which much minor business was
transacted. In all seventy bills and
resolutions were passed. The general
good feeling in the house had been
heightened by the vict ry won over the
senate on the item incorporated in the
naval appropriation bill for the building
of battleship in a government yard.
The closing hour was occupied with
d. spirited debate between Mr.. Cousins,
of Iowa, and Mr.. Richardson, the demo-
cratic leader, over the report on the in
vestigation into the charges made by
Captain Christmas concerning the sale
of the Danish West Indies. Mr.. Cous-
ins ridiculed Mr.. Richardson for bring
ing the matter to the attention OF con-
gress. The latter defended his course.
There is but one thing in connection
with the whole matter, said Mr.. Cous-
ins, "that approaches the Stiffness and
absurdity of the driving diatribe and
fictitious tale of Christmas, and that is
the unparalleled and ludicrous perform
ance of deliberately and solemnly
American congress, where it must re-
main throughout all history as shame
less challenge to the credibility of man. -
Mr. Richardson said that when the
secret report of Captain Christmas TO
the Danish government containing the
statements as to the alleged bribery OF
members of congress was called to his
attention, he considered it worthy of
investigation. He asserted that the
proof was conclusive that Christmas
was the agent of Denmark and indeed
of the American state department
There is not one iota of proof In
support of the latter statement, inter-
posed Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylvania.
81 have the proof here" replied Mr..
Richardson, who read the testimony
concerning the letter of introduction to
Secretary White at London given
Christmas by Secretary Hay Mr..
Richardson denied that any member or
congress had been bribed. He had sim
ply believed that the charges were
worthy of investigation and to that be-
lief he still adhered
Mr.. Dinsmore, of Arkansas, desired,
he said, to repel the insinuation cast by
Mr.. Cousins upon Mr.. Richardson for
bringing the matter to the attention or
congress At 5:2S Mr.. Payne and Mr..
Cannon, of the committee to wait on
the president appeared and Mr.. Payne
upon behalf of that committee reported
that it had discharged it's duty and that
the president had replied that he had
no further communication to make.
Then Speaker Henderson, after max
ing a brief address, declared the house
adjourned.