The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-03-08

as last as Presented to Him.
washington, March with a new
record for large approximations and
lar reaching Legislation the 59th con-
Sre6S was brought to a close shortly
after moor today.
The last few hours were calm, in
iact, tame. by comparison with what
had been expected. Long before noon
senator Gallinger's fight for the pass
OF the ship subsidy bill had been
abandoned and the filibuster against
1t conducted by Senator Carmack be-
ing no longer necessary he surrender
Cd the floor much to the disappoint-
meat Of the galleries.
Before introducing the bill Senator
Gailinger expressed the belief hat
With the support of democratic merl-
beTs which he had been assured o. he
would get action on the measure
practically along the lines of the pres
ent bill at the next session of congress,
Extreme fatigue due to the continued
night sessions in the house during the
last week. had a dampening effect
upon many congressman and the usu-
al excessive last day enthusiasm was
confined to less than half the member
ship.
Despite these conditions the audi
cnCcs in both houses were as large as
they haVe ever been. Thousands
thrOnged the corridors unable to Sc
cure admission to either branch.
II of the interesting incidents 70
The close of the congress was the visit
OF President Roosevelt, who, with his
cabinet, White house staff and a nun-
bcr Of guests, occupied the presidents
70 in the senate wing. Seated at u
big table in the center of the room he
signed bills as they were enrolled and
presented TO him. On account OF the
dispatch with which business has been
conducted during the past week there
were only forty bills to be signed to-
day.
The president was al the capitol for
more than an hour. He devoted most
of the time receiving with his cabinet
both the retiring and incoming mem
begs and in presenting them to per
SOaal friends of the senate and house.
Retiring senator's were received gfa-
CiOusly and without exception the
president expressed that these law
makers were to leave the service of
the country. Especially warm was his
reception of Senator SDooner who has
just announced his voluntary retire
meat.
When the members of the committee
which waited upon him with the in
formation that congress was ready 20
adjourn, and had delivered their mess
6 e, the president thanked them for
the laws that had been enacted, but he
added with a smile that he still had
several bills that would be heard from
III the future. This amounted to a
good natured but direct notice to con-
sTeSs that he had not abandoned the
several recommendations for legiSla-
ton which a not met with con-
~sressionai favor this session.
Vice President Fairbanks and Speak
er Cannon received the thanks Of the
minority for the impartial manner N
WI1Ch tISy 1du pIeSlueu over the uC-
liberatiOns of the two houses and both
Oh these officers made speeches ex-
pressing gratitude at the words Of ap-
probation. A feature of the house ses-
sion was the presentation of a club
silver service of 800 pieces to General
GrOsvenOr by his colleagues of the 59th
congress. Speeches of regret at the
veteran Ohioan's retirement were
made from both sides of the chamber.
In addition to the songs and stories
that usually mark the closing of a SEES
sion there was a beautiful picture
formed by the entire house rising and
singing MY Country 'Tis Of Thee" as
the gavel fell at 1915 p. m. In the
senate the last of the proceedings
was the speech of Vice President Fair
banks prior to adjournment at 1918
u. m. His remarks were applauded by
the thousands of visitors and the ap-
pIause continued as the audience
watched with interest the farewells OF
senators on the floor.