The Washington herald., 1909-08-06

/
! The closing scenes in the House Of
Representatives were not as picturesque
or noisy as is usually The custom. The
/ House completed it's work about 430 yes
terday afternoon and there was nothing
more TO do but 10 wait the hour OF 8
o'clock when the final adjournment was
taken.
The attendance dwipdled gradually IN
| I'll there was not more than a handful
OF members present when Speaker Can
non announced that the House had ad-
/ journed sine die About $50 o'clock the
House leaders became tired OF the dreary
wait, and instructed the doorkeeper to
push forward the hands OF the legislative
clock IN order 10 enable the members TO
get away.
After a short speech. in which Speaker
Cannon complimented the members OF
the House upon the completion OF their
arduous duties, the House adjourned at
s o'clock, according 10 the official legis-
lative clock. but at 5:S5 o'clock actual
time II Is common occurrence for the
hands OF the clock TO be put back in
order 20 lengthen the session, but some
OF the oldest members Of the House de-
clared that It was the first time they had
ever seen the hands of the clock ad-
yanced
When the House convened at noon.
there was nothing TO do. and a recess
was taken until 2:30. During the interim
most OF the members went over to the
north wing OF the Capitol 70 watch the
proceedings Of the Senate and 10 witness
the passage OF the tariff bill
When the House reconvened at 2SO
o'clock, a message was received from
the Senate. announcing the adoption by
that body of the conference report
There was an outburst Of applause from
the Republican members.
There was another interval OF waiting
for the Senate TO pass the concurrent
resolution correcting the hide schedule.
Tobacco Joker Attacked.
About $50 o'clock the Secretary OF the
Senate notified the House that the con-
current resolution correcting the hide
schedule OF the tarifr bill had been adopt
ed. Mr. Payne asked unanimous con-
sent, which was granted, 20 Immediately
begin the consideration Of the resolution.
OF the resolution. Representative FItz-
gerald OF New York. attacked the reso-
luton on the ground that It was not
customary. he said. TO correct a mis-
take after the passage OF the bill Mr.
Stanley, OF Kentucky, made an attack
upon an alleged joker IN the tobacco
schedule Of the bill. which permitted the
use OF coupons in packages OF tobacco.
Gardner. Of Massachusetts,. and Under
wood. OF Alabama. also discussed the
resolution. After the debate had con-
tinued for about three-quarters Of an
hour. Mr. Payne moved the previous
question, and the resolution was agreed -
on viva voce vote amid great applause
from the Republican side OF the cham
Der.
The tariff bill was signed by Speaker
Cannon at AIS o'clock and laid before
the House as a report from the Commit
tee on Enrolled Bills. There was an
other period Of waiting which lasted
only a few minutes however. when
Speaker Cannon announced the commit
tee assignments for the present Congress.
st the beginning OF the special session
only I'VE Of the standing committees Of
the House were appointed. The others
were announced to-day.
Mr.. Payne presented a resolution pro-
vlding for a final adjournment at s
o'clock which was adopted unanimously.
Payne, Of New York. Fordney. OF Michi-
gan. and Clark. OF Missouri. were ap-
pointed TO meet a similar committee from
the Senate 10 notify President Taft that
Congress had completed its work. and
was ready 10 adjourn. There was a tilt
between Mr. Payne and Mr.. Livingston.
Of Georgia. when the Senate resolution.
authorizing the printing OF fifty thousand
copies OF the new tariff law, was laid be-
fore the House. Mr.. Payne asked unani-
nous consent for the immediate consider
alton Of the resolution. Il object" said
Mr.. Livingston.
Very we'll" Mr. Payne retorted. but
we viii find a way OF adopting the reso-
luton before the House adjourns"
A hurried meeting Of the Committee on
Printing. which had Just been appointed
was called. the Senate resolution was re-
ferred 10 the committee, and a few min
utes later Representative Cooper, OF
Pennsylvania, chairman Of the commit
tee. made a favorable report upon the
resolution, which was adopted without
further discussion. Shortly after s
o'clock the notification committee re-
turned 10 the House, and Mr.. Payne re-
ported that they had seen President Taft
and had been informed that he did not
desire TO send any further communica-
tons to Congress.
Congratulations and FarewelIs.
There was nothing more to do but
await the hour Of o'clock, when final
adjournment was TO take place. in ac-
cordance with the terms OF a concurrent
resolution adopted earlier in the day.
Many Of the members who were anxious
10 get away did not wait until the formal
end OF the session. The last half hour
was spent in congratulating members
upon their committee assignments and
bidding each other good-by. At no time
during the day were many more members
than a quorum present, and when their
work was done the attendance dwindled
rapidly
The House leaders, too, were very anx-
ious to hurry things on, and one Of the
employees Of the House was instructed TO
turn forward the hands Of the clock. He
moved them from 5:95 10 $50. Shortly
before the hour for adjournment Speaker
Cannon made his usual farewell address
10 the members Of the House. A storm
was raging outside OF the Capitol, and the
frequent peals Of thunder could be heard.
i desire 10 thank the membership OF
the House Of Representative for eff
Gent and faithful, and, In my judgment.
wise service during this special session
OF Congress-" Mr.. Cannon said. Repre-
senting. as we do, in the aggregate ninety
millions Of people, extended as the pop
ulation is from the Atlantic Ocean to
the Colleen Gate. and from the Northern
boundary to the Southern, producing as
we DO. one-third Of all the products Of