The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-03-07
CLOSING HOURS OF CONGRESS
LAST SESSION DEVOTED TO CON
GRATULAToRY CEREMONIES
Resolution of Thanks to President
Protein Erye-New Vice President
Indicted Into Omce-Loving Cups
Presented i'm the House to Speaker
Cannon and Minority Leader Viii
Hams.

Hams.
Washington. March 4.-The 5Sth
Congress came to an end at noon to-
day. AS all important legislation
had been completed last night there
was little save formal business to be
transacted during the two hours both
houses were in session. The presid-
ing officers announced their sigma
lures to the bills which had passed
and these were hurried to the Presi-
dent. When signed by him they were
returned to the houses in which they
had originated, thus completing the
formalities necessary to make them
laws.
Only one bill which passed both
houses and was presented to the
President failed to receive his sigma
ture. This bill amended the present
anti-smoke Law of the District of Co
lunbia n was intended to be less
severe upon those who have COM
piled with the present law in abol-
ishing smoking chimneys.
In the Senate.
The closing ceremonies in the Sem
ate were Of more than ordinary in
terest, because the end of the 58th
Congress was merged into the special
session Of the 59th Congress-. and
Vice President Fairbanks was induct-
cd into office.
Other formalities in the Senate in
cluded the usual resolution of thanks
to President Protein Frye and a
feeling response by that official.
In the House.
In the House one legislative act
performed by the passage of a
bill but the session for most part was
devoted to the congratulatory cere-
monies usual to the close of a Con-
gress. Speaker Cannon was not only
thanked by a unanimous vote of the
House but was presented with a low
ing cup b. the members. Represen-
tative Williams, of Mississippi, the
leader of the minority, was given a
like compliment by his associates.
The presentation took place during
what Mr.. Payne of New York an
ounced would be a joint caucus, Mr..
Hepburn made a facetiOuS address
and Mr.. Hay, Virginia, chairman of
the regular Democratic caucus. then
took the chair and spoke in humor
ous vein. The occasion he said was
the most unique in the political his
tory of the country. He did not be-
licve. he said, that there had ever
been a joint caucus Of that character
before.
The presentation speech w IS made
by Mr.. Boutell who was followed by
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi. Speaker
Cannon in response said l. part:
The men who compose the national
House of Representatives with their
warrant of attorney from a great PEG
pie have no superiors g.. They are all
equals. 1 am proud that / am one
of you. 1 am more gratified to re-
ceive his gift than words will ex-
press. 1 receive it as a token of your
respect for me as one of YOU"
When the enthusiasm had subsid-
ed Mr.. Clark Of Missouri, produced a
second demonstration by presenting
John Sharp Williams Of Mississippi,
the minority leader. with a loving cup
the gift of his Democratic colleagues.
His remarks were expressive OF the
esteem in which Mr.. Williams is held.
When Mr.. Williams arose to re-
spond he was accorded the same
spontaneous and general applause
given to the speaker.
He said in part: "I AVE felt at
times the burden of apprehended,
even approaching failure, in attend
ing to the duties which you have laid
upon me. I will th,.:f,'e only say
now that it affofis me and wilt at
ford me hereafter unceasins pleasure
to know that you are pleased to say
that I have measurabiy Well succeed
ed"
The speaker made a number Of APP
pointments, including Jones, Virginia,
as visitor to the naval academy;
bartlett, of Georgia. to the tenlror-
airy committe on accounts; t;riggs,
Of Georgia, on the commission to ex-
anime into the publ printing. On
the committee to attend the Lewis
and CLARK exposition were appoint
ed Bartlett, Georgia: Legrae, South
Carolina, and Small, North Carolina.