AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. HOWLAND Introduced a concurrent resolution, which was adopted, authorizing the location and construction of a highway across the grounds of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb.
Mr. HELMS offered a concurrent resolution, which was adopted, granting each member of the General Assembly the privilege of keeping file copy of the Revised Statutes furnished him, provided he would pay the Secretary of State $1 for the same.
Mr. MOZIER offered a resolution, which was adopted, authorizing the Secretary of State to send to each member copies of the journals of the two Houses, and copies of the acts of this Genera Assembly, together with five copies of the Brevier Legislative Reports.
Mr. HEFFREN moved to take from the table the report of the Free Conference Committee on bill [H. R. 302] the general appropriation bill.
Mr SHOCKNEY offered a protest against the passage of the bill at this time. He did not believe that any action of the General Assembly or the Governor could make it a law. Such an attempt is in direct opposition to the provisions of the Constitution,
The motion to take the report from the table was agreed to by yeas, 42; nays, 31.
Mr. HEFFREN now moved to concurr in the report of the Conferrence Committee.
The motion was agreed to by yeas, 52; nays, 32.
A resolution allowing Mr. Ribold, proprietor of the Bates House, $600 for the use of Committee Booms was, on motion by Mr. ANTRIM, reduced to $[?]00, and the resolution so ammended was adopted.
The Senate concurrent resolution to accept the copyright secured by the Revision Commission of the Code of 1881, was adopted.
Mr. Speaker BYNUM delivered the following valedictory:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
Our labors are at an end. The present session has been one of special importance to the people. I congratulate you upon the faithful discharge of your duties. You have labored earnestly and diligently, and, although at times there has been excitement and division in your ranks upon some questions, upon all those which affected the people directly and universally, there has been but one desire and sentiment, and that was to formulate and enact the best laws in the briefest period. No member of this House should feel the slightest hesitation in saying we have assisted to accomplish a good work. We began our labors with many disadvantages. The Constitutional amendments were thrust upon us in the most complicated form. We were confronted with the proposition that unless an in increased price of more than a quarter of a million dollars was given to the State House contractors the building would be abandoned at a great loss to the State. Upon these we had to gather information and make up our minds, whether correctly or not remains a question. Deducting the time required for the consideration of these questions, we have assisted to enact more good and beneficent laws than any preceding House in the same length of time. We have assisted in the enactment of a law in relation to the settlement of decedents' estates which will prevent their being squandered in costs and fees; we have assisted to enact a road law universally demanded by the people in all parts of the State. We have assisted in the enactment of many other laws which are elss in importance only because of their local application. When your labors are laid before your constituents, and fully tested, I have no fears but what your labors will meet with their hearty approbation. As for myself, I can only say I have labored hard to advance your work. No person who has not occupied the position assigned me can realize the cares and labors it imposes. When chosen to preside over your deliberations, I felt that my elevation was to some extent a personal sacrifice. I accepted it with the firm intention of strictly enforcing the rules of the government and pressing legislative business as fast as possible. At times I may have seemed harsh and arbitrary, but nothing was farther from my thought or purpose. If I have done any member a wrong it was unintentional and caused by the excitement incident to legislative work. I have used my utmost endeavors to favor each and every member, and to assist them in securing the passage of laws in which they felt a special interest, and only regret that I have not been able to accomplish more in this particular.
I have nothing but the kindest of feelings for each and every member of this House, and return to you my thanks for assistance you have given me in the discharge of my duties and for the uniform kindness shown me. My relations with the officers of the House and their assistants have been pleasant throughout, and to them I also extend my thanks for the courteous manner in which they have at all times assisted me in my labors.
Mr. JEWETT moved that the House adjourn sine die.
The motion was agreed to and the House of Representatives of the Fifty-third General Assembly stood adjourned at thirty-five minutes after 3 o'clock Monday, March 5, 1883.
