The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-05-03

Washington. April 2s.-The closing to-
day of the second session OF the House
Of the Fifty-eighth Congress was made
notable by the demonstration which
was evoked by a resolution offered by
Mr.. Williams. the minority leader. tes-
tifying to the courtesy and fair and
impartial in which Speaker
The resolution was not of the perfume
tory kind. but was expressive of the
kindly feeling which men in the House
of all parties entertained toward him.
In a graceful speech. the Speaker de-
clared his appreciation Of the resolu-
ton.
Many conference reports were agreed
to on bills which had been in dispute
between the two houses, including that
on the bill for the government Of the
canal zone. The only debate of any
Importance was on the bill providing
for the restoration to the naval acad-
envy Of three cadets who a been dis
missed for hazing. the House voting
overwhelmingly against it.
When the resolution for adjournment
was presented. Mr.. Williams, of Mis-
sissippi, the minority leader, remarked
that while the Democrats personally
would feel very glad to get back to
their homes, they would regret for a
time the nonaction Of the majority of
the House that seems anxious to leave
the post Of duty and leave a situation
bristling with legislation that ought to
be considered.
Mr.. Payne said tina he felt assured
that after seven years Of uninterrupt-
ed Republican rule, the country will
say that every important interest has
been carefully guarded by the Republ!-
can party by he legislation of those
seven years."
The time was within five minutes of
the hour set for adjournment when
Mr.. Williams, amid Impressive silence.
was recognized to present a resolution
expressive of the appreciation Of the
House for the fair and impartial man
ner in which the speaker had presided
over that body.
The resolution refers to the sturdy
ommon sense and genial good humor
which a been displayed by the
speaker land which have induced the
members of the House itself in "a de-
gree almost unprecedented, in imitation
Of him. to display the same sterling
American characteristics in their DELHI
erations and mutual dealings"
Mr.. Williams said that it was a great
thing to be a speaker Of the House Of
Commons Of the American Republic.
but that it was a greater thing mot TO
permit the fact Of promotion to that
place one Of the most exalted in the
world, to turf ones head in the slight
est degree, or to defect one from the
! course hitherto pursued. of being A
; plain American citizen, with e%xtraor-
| binary common sense. and a remarkable
fund of that most characteristic of AL
American qualities-genial humor-" :
| This utterance provoked vociferous
|! applause from both sides Of the House
and the galleries.
Mr.. Williams then the
| House by referring to a conversation
he once had with the Speaker. in the
! course of which he said:
Mr.. Speaker, / will always think that
you are as fair. as 1 believe You will
be-"
The Speaker, he said, replied John,
I am going to be as fair as / can con-
sistently with the exigencies Of Ameri-
can politics"
Mr.. Williams declared that tha
/ speaker did himself injustice when he
! put that limitation upon his statement.
but MI. Williams said. sit was char
| acteristic of the frankness and candor
| of the man to put in the limitation"
| The resolution was unanimously
adopted on a rising vote and the