The San Francisco call., 1908-05-31
MEMBERS SING AS
CONGRESS ADJOURNS
Senate Passes Government EN-
pIoyes' Liberty Bill After
Currency Measure

WASHINGTON. May 3O.--Just II
minutes. officially, before the hands OF
the big round clock in the chambers
of the two houses of congress pointed
TO the hour OF midnight the first ses-
sion Of the sixtieth congress came to
q close.
In the house the closing hours were
characterized by singing of songs by
republicans in honor of Speaker Can
non and by democrats in the interest
OF w. J. Bryan The excitement, which
was great at times, finally sUbsided
and the session closed with good fell
lowship among the members.
The last days OF the senate will be
memorable on account of the filibuster
OF Messrs La Toilette, Stone and Gore
against the emergency currency bill
by the remarkable Interpretation OF
the rules which go far TO establish a
closure in a body noteworthy for the
freedom Of debate and by the final
passage OF the currency bill.
Passage Of the government employees
liability bill and the adoption of con-
ference reports on public buildings and
the deficiency appropriation bills i'm
mediately followed final action on the
Aldrich- Vreeland compromise currency
measure in the senate, and this dis
posed Of most of the remaining i'm
DOTLanI AGElSldIlQn DGlOE6 lndl DOuH-
The senate also passed what is
known as the omnibus territorial bill.
The measure was called UP by Beve-
ridge.
HOUSE CHEERS SENATE
The news that the currency bill had
passed the senate quickly reached the
house and evoked great applause. The
conference report on the public build
ings bin, which had been held up pend
ing action on the currency question.
was quickly brought out and agreed TO.
This action was Immediately followed
by the adoption of the conference re-
port on the general deficiency bill thus
clearing the calendar OF all important
pending legislation.
Other measures put through were:
Providing life saving apparatus on
the Farallon islands, off California;
granting pensions to the surviving Of
fcers and enlisted men or the Texas
volunteers, and providing for compen-
saton TO government employees for in
Juries received while in the perform
ance OF their duties. Several pension
bills also were passed.
WILLIAMS IN FILIBUsTER
At 10 minutes before o'clock Payne
Of New York asked unanimously for the
adoption by the house of a resolution
congress at 1850 tonight. Williams Of
Mississippi objected. and Payne changed
tho form Of his request TO motion Ia
adopt the resolution under suspension
OF the rules.
The resolution included the usual
clause for the appointment of a COM
Tlittee Of three members of the house
10 join with a similar committee from
the senate in notifying the president
that congress was ready TO adjourn. and
asking If he had any communication
TO make.
Upon Payne's motion, Williams, lead
ing his hlibuster forces toward the last
ditch. demanded the ayes and noes. The
calling Of the roll elected, of course, {
solid support from the republican side
but on the democratic side there were
affirmative well as negative votes
AT 80 p. m. the committee appointed
by the speaker TO join like committee
OF the senate and wait upon the presi-
dent and inform him that congress was
ready 10 adjourn, reported that II had
performed that duty and that the presi-
dent said he had no further communi-
cation to make.