New-York tribune., 1907-03-05
59TH CONGRESS- ENDS.
PRESIDENT AT CAPTTOL.
Closing Scenes IN Senate and House
attract Great Crozcds.
EFrom The Tribune Buresu.I

O'Clock. There were the usual scenes OF crowded
galleries still more crowded corridors a great
gathering Of carriages and automobiles on the
East Plaza and handsomely gownsd women in
the reserved galleries. On the floor OF the House
distinguished figure was that Of the British
Ambassador who. under the escort Of Repre-
sentative Bennett, Of New York. was an inter
ested spectator OF the proceedings.
In the diplomatic gallery of the Senate 3. II.
Hartman and the Belgian Minister. who was
accompanied by Baroness Moncheur, divided the
hOnOrs Of public attention. Mr.. Bryce also vi.-
tied the Senate, but not until after Adjournment
and he had no sooner appeared than an enter
prls1ng little page approached and begged for
his autograph. while Senator Foraker and a col
league made wager as to whether or not it
would be given The page and the Senator from
Ohio won
Levity and good spirits characterized the clos
ing hours in the House, while in the Senate tha
sadness of parting seemed to temper the spiris
Of joyfulness that the sessions work was done
The President accompanied by Dr. Lambert.
OF New York, and Secretaries Loeb and Iatta
arrived at II o'clock. passing between two lines
Of closely packed spectators on his way 70 the
Presidents room. Most OF the members OF the
Cabinet had arrived when the Executive came
in. In one corner Secretary Taft related to
each newcomer how he had beaten Uncle joe
Cannon and had got his Philippine Bank bin
through the House, while in another Secretary
Hitchcock received the Fluctuations OF many
legislators on the close of a notable admins
tration OF the Department OF the interior. When
Senator Knox came IN Secretary Root inquired
solicitously regarding the welfare OF the Penn
sylvanian's infant boom. and Senator SpOOner
had warm reception when he came to pay his
respects 20 the President. The retirement oe
the Senator from Wisconsin constituted the
chief topic Of conversation among Senator's and
members Of the Cabinet. all expressing the ut
most regret that Mr.. Spooner had found that
course necessary. The President and DR.. Lam
bert also answered many kindly inquiries re-
garding Archie Roosevelt.
James r. Garfield. who tomorrow VIII take
the oath OF Office as Secretary Of the Interior.
remained in the Presidents room while IL was
occupied by the Executive Mr.. Garfield was in
frequent conference with Mr. Hitchcock. who
explained 20 his successor the merits and de-
merits Of each measure II came up for sig
nature. Mr.. Cortelyou and Secretary Shaw ex-
changed condolences. the former answering with
equal alacrity TO saIutations addressed to him
as General and "NIr. Secretary
In the hour and thirteen minutes after the
President reached the Capitol he signed forty
bills and vetoed one The last bill to be signed
was the Railway Hours BILL which the en-
I N-----
after the clocks pointed to neon. but the House
avoided all difficulty by setting back the big
clock fifteen minutes at 1885 and solution OF
the problem was found in the Senate by the de-
cision Of the Vice President that the hour OF
12 o'clock would not arrive until so indicated
by his personal timepiece.
IN THE SENATE.
The closing hours in the Senate were notable
for two hlibusters. one OF which killed the Ship
ping bill and the other a claim bill IN Oehalr
Of the heirs Of Samuel Lee Negro aspranr
for a seat in the House. the expenses Of whose
contest are provided for in a measure Senator
McCumber attempted to pass. Senator car
mack led the hIibuster against the Shipping bill.
being ably seconded by Senators Dubois. New
lands and McLaUrin. while Senator Overunan'
from whose state Lee came. conducted the pri-
vate and personal flibuster which resulted IN
the PAINLESS and sudden death OF the claim Dill
Senator Beveridge added to the gayety Of
the galleries by attempting to obtain the passage
OF his bill TO protect game in the forest reserves
Senator Culberson insisted that the bill be read.
and Senator CIapp declared that two amend
rnents would be needed. one TO prohibit the In
discriminate slaughter OF woodchuclEs and the
other TO except from the heavy penalties pro-
vided by the bill men who killed prairie chick
ems ducks and rabbits purely IN self-derence-
Seeing that there was no chance Of passing his
measure. Mr.. Beveridge withdrew it.
Senator Allison made the usual financial state
nent which it devolves on the chairman OF the
Committee on Appropriations 70 deliver at the
close of each session. The Senator from iowa
appeared to be in better health IN the last few
DAYS than for some time past, despite the heavy
work which the close Of the Congress has thrown
on him. He looked exceptionally well to-day, de-
Iivering his brief speech IN full and forceful
voice which carried to the back Of the GAL
Ieries and his apparent recovery from his long
illness ELECTED expressions Of qualification from
Senators on both sides OF the chamber.
When the Railway Hours bill. which came
from the House in the form Of a substitute for
the La Toilette bill. reached the upper house.
the Senate having earlier and in the absence ot
Senator La Toilette agreed to the conference
report the ice-Presdent affixed his Signature
and sent it TO the President Senators Hale and
Pettus. who had been appointed COMMITTEES
to advise the President that the Senate had
completed it's work. reported that the President
had nothing further to communicate and Sem
ator Blackburn took the floor to propose a resO-
luton of thanks To the Vice-President for his
courtesy and impartiality. 8Ir BIackburn's
sonorous voice trembled as he announced that
this was the last act OF his official career. Sen
ator Allison, who had taken the chair, put the
motion which was unanimously carried. and
then the Vice-President returned to the cham
Der and made few remarks appropriate to tia
occasion. MIR. Fairbanks sei5:
Senator's: The Chair is sensible OF the fact that
The resolution YOU have adopted Is courtesy to the
chair sanctioned by immem0rial usage rather than
the occupant OF that exalted station.
If the Chair has able to convince the Senate
of his impartialty in the discharge Of the duties
'eate and difieult he IS gratifed in fun measure
nve affer,ied rim in th5 nerfornlance of hfs 6fs
during the session which is now closing. has been
largely due TO th5 patience and generous eO-opera-