South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-03-05
SATURDAY, MARCH 5. 1896.

you of a performer on a bass drum. l
have observed that this gentleman an,
whenever he notices persons, flies into
extremes-p laudits or execrations-
every man he thinks d god or devil!"
He began with most tremendous
manifesto Of the sort of war he inten-
ded to wage against poor F. Oh. S.
He would cry aloud and spare not
he would have no regard for his feel
ings--he would be as excrutialingly
severe as the rules would permit, &c.
&c.-for quarter OF an hour.
Well, while we were gazing, as
Burke says, at this nsenacing meteor
which blackened all the horizon, it
suddenly burst, and poured down the
whole Of its contents upon the devoted
head Of the Maine man. Referring to
publication which had emenated from
that individual, during the recess, Icon
tanning heavy charges against the Post
Office Committee, whereof Halves was
member, he declared that many Of
its statements were ssgrossly talse ~
He. was Immediately called to order
by the Speaker, and several members.
Some one moved that he be permitted
to proceed. 1t was agreed to. He
went ON but having occasion again
10 come athwart the foresaid publica-
ton, he again pronounced its state
ments false in truth and fact. This
repetition Of the offensive language
created the greatest uproar and confu.
sion. Cries Of "Order! Order ~ assail.
ed him from several quarters at once.
The Speaker in an authoritative tone
commanded him to take his seat. A.
bove all the din, was heard the voice
Of the Kentuckian saying with admira.
BILE naivete, 81 believe am permitted
to proceed /"
But the Chair convinced him Of bis
| mistake aud decided that he was out
Of order. Evans, Of Maine, and Wise
rose almost simultaneously.-The lat
ter obtained the fioor-but not before
Evans intimated his opinion that the
decision of the Chair was wrong. Wise
said he thought so too. Yesterday
said he, "the House sustained the de-
cision Of the Chair 10 my case.-Bu,
this will not stand. Il is stones
throw beyond that. I do not believe
| the most influential member Of the
party will be able to cram it down the
,hroats Of the most faithful 10
MIR. Mercer contended that Halves
had Alright to comment upon the pub.
licatioa, ia the manner he did. Said
| it was the work of a member of the
last Congress, who stood precisely in
the sumo relation to the present House
in which other citizens did.
Mr.. Smith thought the decision o.
the Chair quite correct, but begged
that the gentleman might be permitted
TO proceed.
MIR. Peyton made speech full o.
biting sarcasnis. My opinion is thai
/ he is capable Of being more severe thar
any man in the House. Witness his
liberation, his actual stripping, ane
beating with .horns, OF Glasseock, o
Georgia, last week.
Peyton thought Halves not odt Of
order. He said it was the couimones
thing id the world TO hear men de
nouncing as false what they themselves
had proclaimed as infaIible truths, 9
year before. He knew many instan'
ces Ia these days. He could take uF
many sentimsnt-report, Q
leading politicians land could bring
the authors to agree that they were al
| grossly false !-if care was taken te
give no personal offence.
He aimed one of his keenest shafts
with singular directness, a, the Spea.
ker himself. He was understood te
aIlude to speech of Folks delivered
ia Tennessee, when the present ruler.
were in the opposition. He reminded
the Chair of many of the topics-par-
,icularly the odium in which the very
names of head Of party and leads,
of caucus were held at that time,
Doubtless, were he to read it now, nc
would pronounce il false, and boast he
had got absolution for his errors !
| la conclusion, he wished Halves
might be allowed TO speak. He wish
ed he would take the opportunity o.
defending w. T. Barry. file pronoun-
ced high eulogium on the late Post
master General; and in hoHely man,
ner, referred to the comparative safety
and speed in the transmission Of tht
mail. In His days there was some
prospect Of d letter written to one'a