Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-05-04

qualities-genial humor The utter
ance provoked great applause from
both sides of the house and from the
galleries.
Mr.. williams convulsed the house
by referring TO conversation he
once had with the speaker. in the
the course of which he said Il will
always think that you are fair, as
believe you will be-"
The speaker, he said. replied:
John. | am going to be as lair as
can consistently with the cXgencies
of American politics.
Mr.. Williams declared that the
speaker did himself injustice when
he put that Limitation on his state.
ment, but" said Mr. Williams. lit
was characteristic OF the frankness
and candor of the man TO put in the
limitation"
He then moved the adoption of the
resolution and that a committee be
appointed to bring him in. There
was another outburst of applause.
The resolution was unanimously
adopted on a rising vote. Mr.. Rich
ardson then selected Messrs. Payne,
Hemenway and Williams to escort
the speaker into the hall. In a few
minutes the committee escorted the
speaker down the center aisle and
pandemonium reigned, Democrats
and republicans shrieked and ap-
plauded, the occupants OF the gal
laries joining.
When the speaker had mounted the
rostrum Mr.. Williams read him the
resolution which had been adopted.
The speaker was visibly affected and
began to address the house, speak.
ing barely above a whisper. However
he soon recovered his composure
and In a distinct voice said:
Il would be less than human IL
did not voice my thanks to the mem.
bers OF the house for the kindly reso-
luton adopted unanimously by the
house. 1t touches me more than
can express. For almost 80 years
have been a member of this body
for good or i'll. | have seen many
congresses begin and close, and dur.
ing that service | have been proud,
and the pride has increased from
one congress to another. TO be a mem.
ber of this body that represents d.
rectly S00.000.000 people competent
for self-government, and from time
to time to assist in the voicing OF the
will of the people. 1t goes without
saying that in republic men do not
agree as to proper policies, but the
majority and minority, after due con-
sideratioin from time TO time. have
written the will of the people on the
statute books.
In the nature of things the con.
tests on the hustings and in the hall
OF the house are spirited and earnest.
! would be less than human did | not
say that while for the time being I
cooperate with the majority, after all
the minority has a function to per-
form almost equal in Importance to
the function of the ma ,.,ity. and II is
matter of qualification not only to
me now at the close of the second
session OF the Fifty-eighth congress.
as | recollect at the close of the var.
ious congresses of which | have been
a member, that when the heat of con-
test has died away there ever re-
mains respect on each side for the
other, for the efforts OF intelligent,
patriotic, brave men who represent
their constituents according TO their
respective judgments.
May this continue. and II will con.
tinue as long as the republic lasts
After all, when as we representatives
strut and fret brief hour on this
stage we can say both to the ma
jority and minority, 1t is we'll done
for the durance, the prosperity and
he glory of the republic.
Il wish each member of this house
a safe journey to his home: good
health until the next session of con-
gTess, when, after having come in
touch with the people, he will return
ready for a renewal OF his work in
the public interest. The time has
now arrived when there is nothing to
do but. In view of the concurrent res
olution of the house and senate, to de-
clare the second session of the Fiji.
ty-eighth congress adjourned without
day."
The ovation to the speaker as he
brought down his gavel exactly at
2:10 p. m. will be long remembered
as one of the greatest demonstra.
tions Of this kind ever witnessed in
the house of representatives.