The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-29
SECOND SESSION OF THE
HFTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS
CLOSES IN GOOD HUMOR
Minority Leader Williams Pays
Tribute to the Speaker and the
Latter Replies.
MEMBERS SING SONGS
After Mr.. Cannon Announces Ad-
Journment and File Slowly
from the Hall.
PRESIDENT AT CAPITOL
Signs Bills While His Family List
ems to Debate-Hemenway's
Work as Watchdog"
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. April 2S.-It Is univer-
sally conceded that not only has Congress
adJourned its long session earlier this year
than at any time since the civil war days,
Dut the closing scenes were in better tenn
per and amid more good feeling than would
naturally be expected in the face of
presidential campaign. The Democratic
minority played politics in the closing
hours, as they did at the end of the last
Congress The past few days have been
given over to partisan discussions and the
making of campaign literature, but ex-
cept for the unseemly controversy be-
tween Representatives Dalzell and Cock
ran the line up oe the last
days battles were good natured. More
over. it was easily demonstrated to-day, in
the character of the resolutions advanced
by the Democrats. rendering the thanks Of
the House to Speaker Cannon. that for
once, In the later life of the popular legis-
lative branch of government. there was a
tone OF sincerity in the resolutions, and the
Democrats united with their Republican
brethren in supporting the resolutions. with
a manifest air of meaning what they said
In the vote II was one of the most inter
esting and notable demonstrations of it's
kind seen in the House in many years.
Speaker Cannon has won the hearts of the
Democrats.
In respect to the results of the special
and first regular session of the present
Congress ii is particularly notable that the
Republican majority in Congress and the
administration have achieved notable vic
tory in being able to accomplish practi-
caliy everything that was mapped out for
the session. This is an admirable condi-
tion for the dominant party to be in while
confronting the election of this year A
vast array of important and necessary leg
fsiation was enacted. much of 1t of spe-
cial interest to many States. The chief
work Of the session. however, was the ac-
quisition of the Panama canal and the
passage of the requisite legislation for
making payment for the property
and giving control the canal
zone zone OF territory to the Presi-
accomplished. the Republican Ie leaders ads nls
dressed themselves almost wholly to the
y work of recognizing the present condition
OF the federal treasury, whichs,is depleted
es result of sweeping reductions in in
ternal revenue taxation, by holding down
to the lowest possible notch the aggre-
gate appropriations during the session. In
this they were signally successful and the
only complaint the Democratic leaders have
TO make against the showing in this be-
QalI is tndt the Republicans were n1ggard-
ly In making appropriations for river and
harbor improvements and for public build
tngs. In respect to both of these matters
the Republican leaders contend that am
rle provision has been made in the legis-
1ation or this and the last Congress.
One of the principal accomplishments OF
the Republicans in the session which closed
to-day was TO keep appropriations within
reason. And In this connection il is only
fair to say that no man in the House con-
tributed so much to this result as Repre-
sentative James A. Hemenway. of Indiana
chairman of the House committee on ap-
propriations. 1t is due to his good judg-
ment and excellent mana cement that $50,
100000 shaved off the estimates and
that the appropriations at this session as
compared with the preceding one were re-
duced about $20.000.0O0 Chairman Hemen-
way has performed his duties as the
watch dog of the treasury in such a
manner as to call forth commendation from
both sides of the House and without leav-
ing any Of those sore spots which usually
follow the defeat of pet projects of indi-
vidual members.
Indiana took most important part in the
deliberations OF the session of Congress
just closed Her senators were conspicuous
In the work of the upper house, and in the
lower branch. by virtue of positions of COM
lsittee positions of the first rank, the voice
of Indiana has been heard in connection
with all the important legislation disposed
of during the past six months.
JOHN E. MONK.