Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-03-10
CLOSING HOURS OF 5srH CONGRESS-


The closing scenes of the 5Sth Con-
gress were unusual Little confusion, no
bclated legislation and no partisan con-
troversy characterized the proceedings i'm
either Senate or House-a proceeding
unprecedented in their history An un-
parliamentary but impressive love feast
occurred in the House Saturday morning
Meeting at 10 o'clock, the conference re-
port on a public land bill was agreed to-
and recess was taken until 1910 o'clock
at which time Representative Hemenway,
as chairman of the committee on appro-
priations, made his usual financial state
ment. His closing words, greeted with
hearty applause from both sides were
1T all looks clear beyond question, that
there will be no deficit"
The House then, contrary to all pre-
cedent resolved itself into a bipartisan
caucus, and Representative Hepburn took
the chair He called the caucus to order,
and in a few well chosen words intro
duced Representative Hay of Virginia,
chairman of the Democratic caucus. who
then, for the first time in his life, pre-
| sided over a caucus of which the majority
was strongly Republican
Chairman Hay recognized Representa-
| tive Boutell. OF Illinois, who, i'm clever
| speech, presented to the Speaker n mag
| nihCent loving cup, to the purchase of
which every member of the House had
| contributed Representative Williams, the
| minority leader, on behalf of the Dem
| ocrats. then added his tribute to the
| Speaker Calling for rising vote on Mr..
! Boutells motion to make the presenta-
ton. Chairman Hay initiated the
| Speakers method of counting a vote,
pointing to each member with the gavel
held in his left hand. and then announced
! the motion carried by vote of 3S6 ayes,
no noes. Representative Richardson. of
Tennessee former minority leader, moved
vote of thanks to the Speaker. which
was also carried unanimously, after which
a loving cup was presented to Minority
| Leader Williams by the Democratic mem
| bers of the lower chamber. Never before
! has such a testimonial been given
| Speaker as that accorded Uncle joe
Cannon, and the Speaker acknowledged
| the compliment with manifest feeling At
11.55 the House adjourned and proceeded
| in body to the Senate chamber.
| When the Senate convened, at 10 A. m.
| II found itself without business before Il
| all legislative enactments having been
| disposed of before the recess was taken
| Friday night. Senator Allison made the
| the usual summary of the expenses of the
| Congress, stating that the total appro-
| priations by this session amounted to
! $SlS, 600, 900, as against 1871. 900 900 last
year. A committee having been appointed
to wait on the President, a recess was
taken awaiting its return.
| At 1850 the President and Vice Presi-
dent elect arrived at the Senate
end OF the capitol and, departing from
! from the custom OF their predecessors,
mounted the long flight Of steps leading
| to the bronze doors, instead Of availing
! themselves of the basement door and the
! elevator to the Senate floor. This enabled
! the Presidents escort, military and naval
| aids and others to enter the capitol with
! him. President Roosevelt went i'm
mediately 20 the Presidents room and
signed a few bills but thoroughly had
the work Of the session been completed
| that his official duties were merely
nominal and he held an impromptu re-
! ception. shaking hands with many mem
bers OF the Senate and well known guests
Shortly before he entered the Senate
chamber the President proudly exhibited
to the assembled newspaper correspond
ents a large ring presented to him by
Secretary Hay. The ring is of gold. and.
under a tiny disk Of crystal projects 4
lock of hair cut from the head of Presi-
dent Lincoln the day after he was assassi-
| mated.
President pro TEN. Frye did not call the
! Senate to order until shortly before L.
O'Clock. the Inauguration OF the Vice
President was about TO begin. The resolu-
ton of thanks. which has always been
adopted at the close of each session in
Senator Frye's presidency. having been
placed on the record. Mr. Frye made
graceful acknowledgment and at 12.15 de-
clared the Senate adjourned without day.