Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1893 — THE EXTRA SESSION. [ARTICLE]

THE EXTRA SESSION.

The Senate, Tuesday morning, was opened with prayer. Mr. Pugh called up House bill regulating time of holding courts in South Dakota and it was passed’ Bill extending time for final payments on desert lands was passed. Mr. Blackburn offered the following resolution, which was agreed tot “Resolved, That the committee on rules be instructed to inquire and report to the Senate what revision of and amendments to the rules, if any, should be adopted to secure a more efficient and satisfactory disposition of the business of the Senate.” The Senate, at 4:30 p. m., went into executive session, after which- it adjourned. In the ■ House, Tuesday, 250 members were present when Speaker Crisp dropped the gaveL After the reading of the journal Mr. Cummings secured unanimous consent for the consideration Of the Senate joint resolution transferring the model of the battle ship Illinois at the World’s Fair to the city of Chicago. Without opposition it was agreed to. At 12:50, while Mr. Oates was speaking, Mr. Cox, of North Carolina, the secretary of the Senate, came into the House bearing in his arms the repeal bill. George B. Smith, the assistant doorkeeper, escorted Mr. Cox down the center aisle. The Speaker rapped for order. “The gentleman from Alabama,” said the Speaker, “will suspend for a moment while the House receives a message from the Senaee.” All eyes were turned toward the two figures in the main aisle. “I am directed by the Senate,” said Mr. Cox, his words racing and tumbling after each other, “to inform the House that the Senate has passed an act to repeal a part of an act approved July 14,1890, entitled an act directing the purchase of silver bullion and for other purposes, with an amendment, to which I am directed to ask the concurrence of the House.” Mr. Livingston asked unanimous consent to proceed to the consideration of the repeal bill, but Mr. Bland vehemently protested and said the bill should take its regular course under the rules. A debate between Mr. Reed and Mr. Dockery over the expenditures and alleged misdeeds of the Fifty-first Congress ensued. A debate on the bankruptcy bill followed. Bill to aid the World’s Fair prize winners exposition at New York was favorably reported. At 5:17 the House adjourned. In the Senate, Wednesday, Mr. Berry reported a bill for the construction of a railroad through the Hot Springs reservation, which was placed on the calendar. Mr. Hill offered a resolution to amend the rules and prevent endless filibustering, which was referred to the committee on rules. Mr. Hill also offered a resolution, which was referred to the committee on rules, providing for an amendment to the rules to authorize the presiding officer to count a quorum presentlbut not voting. Mr. Hoar sent up to the clerk’s desk a bill and a memorial which he asked to have read. Mr. Turpie objected, retaliating upon Mr. Hoar for a similar objection the day before. Mr. Hoar appealed to him to withdraw his objection, but Mr. Turpie insisted upon preserving the “parity of courtesy." Mr. Hoar said the bill provided for the appropriation of 150,000 for the relief of the sufferers from the recent storm in the Sea Islands, on the coast of South Carolina, and that the memorial had been prepared by Miss Clara Barton, of the Red Cross society. At the request of Mr. Butler Mr. Turpie withdrew his objection and the memorial was read. Consideration of the Chinese exclusion act was resumed and Mr. Dolph addressed the Senate in defense of the Geary law. At 3:55 p. m. the clerk of the House of Representatives appeared at the bar of the Senate and presented the bill, repeal of the purchasing clause of the Sherman act, and announced the concurrence of the House in the Senate amendments to the same. A few minutes later the Vice-President annexed his signature to the bill. The Senate soon afterward adjourned. The House session,. Wednesday, was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Bagly, the new chaplain. The Speaker laid before the House. House Bill No. 1. with Senate amendments. Mr. Wilson moved to concur and demanded the previous question. Mr. Bland said he had hoped that the measure could be considered in the regular way. The area in front of the Speaker’s chair became crowded with members and the aisles were choked. Mr. Bland continued to speak and advocated further delay. Mr. Wilson still demanded the previous question and the vote was then taken on the motion to concur in the Senate amendments. The motion carried by a vote of 191 to 94. The House at 4:10 adjourned. In the Senate, Thursday, Mr. Stewart introduced a bill for the free and unlimited coinage of silver. Referred. Mr. Gray moved to take up the Chinese extension bill but yielded to Mr. Hoar, upon whose motion the bill to relieve the sufferers from the recent cyclone on and near Sea Islands along the coast of South Carolina and Georgia was taken up. After further discussion by Messrs. Caffery, McPherson, Allen, Peffer and others, the hour of 2 o’clock arrived and the Chinese extension bill being the unfinished business was laid before the Senate and the cyclone bill went over. The House bill to aid the World’s Fair prize-winners’ exposition to be held in New York, was laid before the Senate and referred to the committee on finance. Mr. White of California then addressed the Senate on the Chinese bill. The Senate, at 5:10p. m., went into executive session and at 5:45 p. m. adjourned until Friday. Immediately after the reading of the journal in the House, Thursday. Gen. Catchings, from the committee on rules, reported the resolution for adjournment Friday at 3 o’clock. Judge Holman, of Indiana, argued against adjournment and in favor of recess in order that the committees might have an opportunity to work between now and the beginning of 'tfie regular session. “Is there any possibility?” asked Mr. Henderson, of lowa, “of reporting the tariff bill before the regular session?” “None whatever,” answered Mr. Catchings. The vote was then token by ayes and nays and the resolution was carried—l 34 to 139. Mr. Wilson, chairman of the ways and means committee, asked unanimous consent for the consideration of a resolution'to permit the ways and means committee to sitduring the adjournment and to file with reports any bills and providing that if filed such bills and reports shall be mailed to each member. Mr. Wilson said it was desirable that the country should be informed of the proposed tariff legislation at the earliest possible moment. “We want it put through the parliamentary stages before Congress

convenes in regular session,” he concluded, “and we do not want to be guilty I of the discourtesy of giving the bill to the public before we have submitted it to the minority of .the committee. When Congress convenes we desire to enter upon the duty committed to ns by the American people.” (Applause.) Mr. Reed responded briefly. A vote 'was taken resulting, yeas 157, nays 1. The resolution authorized the ways and means committee to sit and report on the tariff bill during adjournment. The balance of the session was devoted to parliamentarytdiscuesion for the purpose of untangling the knot into which the House had worked itself, and at 8:50 the House adjourned. The Senate session Friday opened with prayer by Rev. Mil bum at noon. Mr. Cockrell reported back the House resolution for final adjournment. Mr. Coke protested against adjournment on behalf of the Democratic party. Mr. Dolph also opposed adjournment, and said the Democratic party should redeem its pledges by settling the public business at the earliest possible moment. Mr. Cockrell agreed with the sentiments expressed but said that no quorum in either House could be maintained. Mr. Cullom said that he agreed to the adjournment resolution because he supposed adjournment was a foregone conclusion. The adjournment resolution was then agreed to without division. House Bill in aid of World’s Fair prize winner’s exhibition at New York was passed. Resolutions of thanks to the Vico President and President of the Senate pro tem. Harris were passed. Committee was appointed to inform the President that the two Houses of Congress were ready to adjourn. The Senate then went into executive session until 3 p. m., when the committee to wait on the President reported that the President had no further communication to make. The Vice President rose and said: “Senators—My appreciation of the resolution personal to myself kindly adopted by the Senate cannot be measured by words. To your courtesy and forbearance I am indebted for whatever measure of success has attended my administration of this great office. The record of the first session of the Fifty-third Congress is made up. Henceforth it belongs to the domain of history. Earnestly wishing to each of -yon a safe and pleasant journey to your homes and constituents, I now, in pursuance of the concurrent resolution of the two Houses, declare the Senate adjourned without day.” c Coming down to the floor the Vice-Pres-ident exchanged personal farewells with Senators, officers and employes, to all of whom he gave a hearty handshake and some pleasant words. Soon afterwards the historic chamber was practically deserted, only a few subordinates remaining to clear away the refuse papers and re • store a little order to the general appearance of things. The last day of the special session of Congress opened with a small attendance upon the floor of the House, but the members who were present showed great interest in the proceedings and were seeking every opportunity to get recognition and forward the passage of sundry bills of local importance. A resolution by Mr. Richardson providing for the employment of clerks and other employes during Intervals between sessions were discussed. Mr. Hutcheson, of Texas, -proceeded to filibuster against the resolution and succeeded in defeating it, the time for final adjournment having arrived before the matter could reach a vote. Great excitement prevailed during the struggle and execrations were heaped on. Mr. Hutcheson, but apparently without effect. On the final motion Mr. Hutcheson demanded tellers, and the Speaker appointed Messrs. Richardson and; Hutcheson as tellers and the members began to crowd between them, but before the vote was announced the hour of 3 came round, the'gavel fell and the chair announced that the House stood adjourned sine die.