The Washington times., 1902-07-01
House MAKES MERRY
At Night Session
Members Give Way to Spirit
of EXuberanCe.
LAUGHTER RULES DEBATE
Speaker Henderson Proves Himself a
Capable Pilot and Steers Important
Bills Through to Final Action
Longest Day of Term.

The most popular place of amusement
in Washington last night was the House
Of Representatives, where there were
some 225 actor-statesmen and an audi
ence which filled every seat In the gal
lerIes. save those reserved for the Pres
ldent and the diplomatic corps.
| Everyone on the floor was in 4 good
humor, the members in their exhiiera-
tion over the prospects OF adjournment
today exhibiting the spirit Of exuber-
nnce which characterizes boys on Tie
last day of school
1t required the strong will and deter
mnatioT of Speaker Henderson to hold
them in restraint and compel the House
to do business. They started in to ap-
plaud each speaker until his voice was
drowned. ard to renew the demonstration
at every utterance, which called forth 6
rebuke from the Speaker, and the ad-
moaiticn that the business of the House
should not be turned into farce.
A Warm Debate.
When the House did settle down TO
work the galleries were treated to sew
eral good -natured and highly amusing
bcuts, participated in by NJ. Grosvenor,
Mr.. Foss. and Mr.. Cannon.
Yesterday was the longest day OF the
session, AS well as one of the busiest
The House met at II o'clock and re-
NAMED in session until $50, when it
took recess until s. and did not ad-
Jourr until nearly II.
Besides 4 number of minor matters,
the conference reports on the Philippine
civil government bill and the general
deficiency bills were disposed OF. Con-
siderable time was spent discussing the
provision for building ships in Govern
ment navy yards, and 4 measure was
passed reorganizing the national guards
of the several States.
When the House met in the evening
the galleries were thronged as they
have not been save upon two or three
occasions this session.
Mr. Haskins (Rep., VT presented the
report of the Elections Committee No.
upon the contest of C. L. Wilson and
F. r. Lassiter over the seat from the
Fourth district of Virginia in the Fifty
seventh Congress. confirming Lassiter's
title thereto.
Reorganization of Militia.
Mr.. Dick (Rep., ohio) moved to sus-
pend the rules and pass the bill to re-
organize the national guard of the sew
eral States reported unanimously by the
Committee on Militia and approved by
the convention of the adjutants general
Of the State guards.
Answering questions by various mem
bers. Mr.. Dick said that the enrolled
militia of the several States numbered
about 10000. The bill provides for the
examination by boards of officers other
than the militia 10 determine their fit
ness for holding commissions In such |
forces, the names OF those who pass the !
examination TO constitute register from
which the President shall appoint offl- |
GERS in volunteer forces which may be |
called into service. II also provides for |
the enrolment of a reserve force of |
100000 men. veterans of the regular /
army or volunteers who have seen SER |
vice.
It was while the conference report on |
the naval bill was under consideration |
that the most amusing incidents Occur
led. General Grosvenor, in a character, |
istic speech, accused Mr. Foss, the |
chairman OF the Naval Committee, Of |
attempting to bulldoze the House with
an amendment leaving to the Secretary
OF the Navy the discretion of building
chips in Government yards, which he
declared was 4 fraud
That's the way you have been run
ming things he exclaimed
He continued to lace Mr.. Foss good
.Eturedly, much to the amusement OF
The members, who gathered about his
sent and vigorously applauded him. nm
til Uncle Joe" Cannon came TO the
rescue Of his colleague and added TO
be merriment.