Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-03-04
Fifty-Seventh Congress.
Washington, D. c., Mar. 4.
SENATE.

CrOW0S OF Vl5lJOrS Wcuucu ehOit wy
to the Capitol this morning to witness
the expiration of the 57th Congress.
Most of them, however, chose the gal.
leries of the House as their point OF
view.
In the Senate which reassembled at
ten o'clock in continuation of yesterdays
session, the first business was the pro-
curing of quorum, the demand for
which was made by Mr.. Cockrell.
Fatigued by the late sittings of the
past two nights, it was 1912 when a
sufficient number of Senators appeared
to allow of the transaction of business.
Mr.. Allison offered for insertion in the
Congressional Record his annual state
ment of the amount of the appropriations
made by this Congress, with compari-
sons with those of the seth Congress.
The increase he stated, for this Con-
gress was $114, 000,0 900 over last Con-
gress, of which $50, 100, 900 or nearly
half, was for the Panama canal. There
was also an increase ofnearly $50, 600, 900
for the expenses of the postal service.
The total appropriations for this Con-
gress were 81, 554, 10S, 514.S4.
Mr.. Allison also called attention to
the fact that the Fity-sixth Con-
gress had adopted no river and
harbor bill. At the first session
of the present Congress, bill for
theseimprovements carrying:s26, 600, 900
of appropriations was passed. 1t also
provided continuing contracts amount
ing to $40, 000,OOO additional, which
were carried in the sundry civil appro-
priation bill of this session. The in
crease in the total expenditures author
lied by this Congress was therefore made
up largely by three items-the appro-
priations for the Panama canal, postal
service, and river and harbor works, and
he was convinced that the increases were
approved not only by the republicans,
but by the democratic members OF both
houses of Congress.
Upon motion of Mr.. Bailey the Senate
by vote of Al 70 9 took up bill
amending the river and harbor bill.
Thus formally was the Philippine tariff
set aside.
Mr.. Hoar by unanimous consent spoke
upon the bill that had just been Off
cially declared dead He criticised
Congress for going away on a nine
months vacation without providing aid
for the destitute people ofthe Philippines.
"This congress has demonstrated that
it is unfi. to govern people incapable
of governing themselves" he asserted.
Mr.. Lodge spoke upon the urgency
of the tariff legislation. He pointed out
the many times he had attempted to
have the measure called up and how he
was unsuccessful.
"But this measure, merely aimed to
stimulate trade and encourage the people
of the Philippines" he said, "has been
talked to death by the minority. But |
deny that the American people cannot
deal with the question. 1t can and it
will"
Mr.. Bailey kept demanding the regular
order. Mr.. Mason was recognized.
He gave voice to remarks that kept
the chamber in ripple of laughter, in a
lecture which he said was. the last one he
would be able to deliver to his "young
and misguided friends"
Mr.. Bailey declared Mr.. Mason was
intent upon talking bis bill to death.
Mr.. Mason pleaded that no attempt
should be made to revise his speech be-
fore he made it. "The last speech am
to make in this chamber, he added,
"but through no fault of my own, as.
sure you'.
An interruption came in the form o.
the customary resolution for the appoint.
ment of a committee to wait upon the
President.
Mr.. Allison and Mr.. Jones ARK. } were
selected.
Mr.. Patterson pleaded for an oppor-
tunity to speak. 81 want just five min
utes," he said.
"Well," retorted Mr.. Mason, 81
think the Senator ought to recognize the
fact that he has many years of service
before him, while my time is limited ]"
Mr.. Mason, in his farewell speech, was
in his happiest vein.
"The statehood bill is floating away
on the Isthmian canal" he said, in
discussing the rules of the Senate that
permitted the minority and not the
majority to govern. "The Aldrich bill
is like the first mourner in funeral
procession, the Philippine tariff bill
comes next; the pure food bill, that has
been coddled and nursed, is there too.
Pure food and pure drink are not wanted.
All these measures are in panoply of
mourning;,,they are all going to the open
grave; and all because the Senate is
afraid to trust its majority
Mr.. Mason gave way for few min
utes to permit Mr.. Patterson to define his
attitude on the Philippine bill, and then
resumed in plea that the government
be honest with ITSELF and admit that it
had been mistaken in its Philippine
policy. "We are settling for the error
every hour" he declared.
The committee appointedto wait upon
the President appeared, announcing its
mission concluded.
Mr.. Allison said that the President
had wished, if it were proper, to con-
graduate Congress on the admirable
work that had been performed this ses-
sion. Hearty laughter on the foor)
1t lacked eight minutes of the hour at
noon, when Mr.. Bailey demanded vote
on his measure.
Mr.. Mason took the floor. Mr..
Bailey remarked that the Senator from
Illinois would have to talk the session to
an end if he wished to prevent vote.
Mr.. Mason Nothing would suit me