The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-05
GAYEL FALLS AND 69TH
 CONGRESS IS PART OF HISTORY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE I.)

~ presiding officers chair, and Mr. Fair banks retired to the vice presidents room. Senator Blackburn, the minority leader, took the floor.
 Blackburn Takes Floor.
 Coming to the discharge of py last of- flcial act as senator" he began, and speaking for the minority side of this chamber it affords me great pleasure to send to the desk resolution which ex- presses the experience I have had, and am quite sure voices the sentiment of every senator in this chamber, bearing testimony to the courtesy. the fairness and the ability with which our presiding officer has discharged the functions of this office
 The resolution rendered the thanks of the, Senate to the Hon. Charles w. Fair banks as vice president of the United States and president of the Senate for the dlgnifed, impartial and courteous man ner in which he has presided over Its de- Alterations during the present session. The resolution was unanimously adopted with a hearty aye"
 Fairbanks Responds.
 The vice president then apepared in the chamber, took the chair and replied as follows:
 Senators the chair is sensible of the fact that the resolution you have adopted is a courtesy to the chair, sanctioned by immemorial usage rather than to the oc- cupant of that exalted station.
 If the chair has been able to convince the Senate of his impartiality In the dis charge of the duties which devolve on him, and which are often delicate and diff flcult, he Is gratified in full measure. He ,1J,r iots bot Ub SnpreSq may have attended him in the perform ance of his duties has been largely due to the patience and generous cooperation of the members of the Senate, all of which he gratefully acknowledges.
 "The chair desires to place on the per manent records of the Senate his testi- mony in behalf of those senators whose services in the Senate is about to ter minuate for their unwavering devotion to the public interest while here, and to wish them many years of further useful ness to their countrymen.
 "The Senate of the United States has well vindicated its claim to the popular approval by it's wise, careful and patriotic consideration of many questions of large concern to the government and the peo- pie. Each passing session justifes the wisdom of the fathers who established the Senate as one of the essential safeguards to American institutions and one of the assurances of the political welfare of the people.
 "The hour which by law terminates the second session of the Fffty-ninth Congress having arrived the chair declares the Senate adjourned without day.
 Peonage in House.
 Peonage was the first subject brought to the attention of the House when it was called to order at 9:30 today. Repre- sentative Jenkins of Wisconsin. chair man of the House committee on judiciary, had read a resolution by Representative Clark of Florida, in which information was sought concerning the action of the department of justice in sending special attorneys to Florida in connection with peonage cases there. A letter from At torney General Bonaparte also was read, and in 1t the department work was re- viewed Representative Jenkins then asked that his committee be discharged from further consideration Of the resolG- ton in view of the fact that Mir Bona partes letter contained all the informa tion sought.
 In his letter the attorney general said he was unable to give the exact cost of Investigating the peonage charges In Florida. He said also that he regarded the United States attorneys in Florida as competent to conduct the peonage cases, and explained why other federal attorneys were In Florida on the peonage work. Mrs. Mary Grace Quaekenboss. concerning whom the resolution sought information. Is a special assistant to the United States district attorney for the southern district of New York, and Mr. Bonaparte says she is engaged in pro- tecting persons who are without means to defend themselves against injustice