Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-02

sion OF the 59th Congress snded at 10
| o'clock Saturday night. II dragged
through its last day with the Presi-
dent and Senate and House waiting
upon the enrolment of hundred of
bills.
Its membership in attendance dwind-
led constantly with the voting of each
successive recess. Every departing
train bore a congressional contingent.
equally eager 10 escape from the fierce
and oppressive heat. and TO get start
ed on the journey home.
The usual end of the session scenes
We're wanting. except the quiet and
dignified conclusion in the Senate
| chamber. the vaudeville performance
in the House, and the complimentary
illusions to presiding officers in both
branches. There was no throng of in
terested spectators in the galleries.
There was little rushing to and fro
with nurnberess minor bills, whose
lives depended upon immediate action.
| 1t was n decidedly worn-out COM
pany that sat under the gavels OF Vice
President Fairbanks and Speaker Cam
non, but this was less on account Of
strenuous labors than enforced endur-
ance Of the Washington climate.
| President Roosevelt spent much of
the day at the Capitol. That was ex-
ceptional. He left the White House
Offices at 11.20, expecting that he could
sign the remaining bills in an hour
and that Congress would forthwith get
laway. All cabinet members in town
and few assistant secretaries rende&-
Vouaed in the presidential room off the
Senate chamber. Thither bills were
lspeeded to him as fast as completed.
! Clad in q white linen suit and seated
at a table in one corner, the President
affixed his signature to numerous
measures. after these had been scan
ned by the cabinet members whose
departure they affected.
| In the interims he received the greet
ings of many men. 1t was general
handshaking time for political friends
and opponents. and alike for Republic
can insurgents who have not frequent
cd the White House portals the past
winter. The President also found time
to study the beautiful view of the city
to the northword. and especially to
note the rise Of the enormous union
railway station, for which Congress a
few years ago appropriated millions.
When 4 recess was taken from 2
o'clock till o'clock to the White
House but would have luncheon at the
Capitol take a short drive and then re-
sumo the signing OF bills. In the early
evening, however, when one recess was
, taken he decided to wait no longer,
and drove back to the White House.
| The President expressed qualification
at the work Congress has accomplish
ed. He is not alarmed at it's appro-
|priations, amounting TO $3.50. 900.
He is not disturbed because executive
pressure has been applied to Congress
; in the last seven months to a degree
never before attempted in this country,
inor because the legislation which he
has compelled Congress to enact ex-
tends fedral supervision over state.
domestic and industrial affairs beyond
anything ever attempted by his pre-
decessors.
He authorized Representative Cochs,
: the Quakerlike member from his own
district, this morning to express his
complete satisfaction with what has
been done. The President said that
this Congress has enacted more con-
Structive measures for the benefit of
/ the people than any other Congress for
35 years.
In the House frequent recesses were
taken, during which the solons gave a
, succession of vaudeville stunts. Rep
, resentative Watson of Indiana. the
Republican whip, was the end man in
the congressional minstrel show. He
= started the crowd singing MY Coun-
try, 'Tis of Thee" Dixie" and other
songs. B
over in one corner the Democrats
: got up a joke. They wrote a parody
on Everybody Works but Father.
and Mr.. Shepherd of Texas solemnly
offered it as a resolution.
THE gentleman will read the reso-
S luton" said Speaker Cannon.
The stenographers made ready tc
!. take it down. and Shepherd. instead
of reading the resolution, sang it, amid
a a roar of laughter and applause Here
it is:
Everybody works but Cannon,