Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-06-07
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Those who are not accustomed 10 witness the
proceedings Of Congrsfs, and who have b1t the
means, from peFDonal observation, Of comparing
the present House With that body q u existed
twenty o. thirty years ago, would dnd i diff
cult 10 believe the Truth IN regard 70 H. 4 Visi-
toF 10 The House ior the first time Is Asioundcd
al the uHnt II dignity and dreomm, add the
positive disorder and tumuliuousnrss which at.
traets his attention. The scene which ordinarily
presents itself d the one of confusion. Toe.
half Of the Members are out u their seats-
walking to and lro standing in the llleys or Ia
the ara 10 font VI the Speakers desk; gather
I'd in knots here and there, aud engaged in con.
Vefsalioh, not unircquenty N loud o. 10 vic
with speaker who may Be formally addressing
the House; and Members probably lying and
sTsn sleeping upon the luxurious sofas aud
cOuches which surround tie Members seats
Some are sitting listlessly, and With apparent In
difference to the procecdings IN their easy chairs
with both their feet, il may be, upon their Gle.
CANT carved oak desks Olhers, among the lew
comparatively who seem TO be aware Of the bust.
ness before the House arc constantly interrupt.
Ing the speaker who Is entitled to the floor; and
not unircqueElly tao or three Members will he
addressing the Chair AZ the sane time What
With this and the conversation going on about
the hall, In every direction, pretty good idea
Of Babel may be- formed. Every few minutes
the Speakers hammer is vigorously but vaiuly
piled, for the purpose Of restoring order; and
ten times an hour the clear voice Of the Speak.
OF Is heard above the lumult Of tongues, request.
ing Members To resume their seat., aud adInon-
ishing them that conversation il too loud in the
hall, and that he cannot entertain any motion Or
proceed to business I'LL order is restored Ten
times an hour, however, there is renewed coca.
sion ior this interference OF the Speaker. Il
must be firm and durable material which with.
stands the constant aud severe application Of
the Speakers hammer.
During the long term Of years in which Hen.
~ Clay was Speaker Of the House, he seldom
or never used bis hammer. Either through his
influence as presiding officer, or better sense
Of dccOrum among the members, dignity and
order marked the proceedings Of the House Mt
all tunes. But Il ever there were occasion TO
call 10 ordeT-hnd slight departure from the
rules Of the House Way deemed an nccasiOn-il
was done, and ellecinhlly done, by a simple tap
upon the Speakers desk with his folder or pen
knife. IT, while member was addressing the
House, Two others were out Of their seats and
whispering even in front Of ihe Speakers desk,
Mr.. Clay would request the member to suspend
his remarks until order was restored An anec.
dote related recently by venerable gentleman
aud model legislator, who was member Of
Congress thirty years ago, will illustrate the
sentiment which pervadcd the House at that
time in regard to the department Of members
while in their seats. Now, as has been re-
feet, both feet, upon the tops Of thier desks, in
the most vulgar and ungainly position imagina.
BILE. The desks, as is known, are elegant and
expensive, being made Vi oak, richly and elab.
orately carved. II is mortiiying TO the Specla.
tor and 1t would be no doubt grating to the
feelings Of your Messrs. Doc & HazletOn, the
manufacturers Of these desks, TO sec the heels
Of members Of Congress, which, like their heads,
are not always Of the most delicate structure, in
such rough and destructive contact with their
beautiful handiwork. The anecdote alluded to
is this Mr. Vance member 0f the House,
was lame, and, TO relieve himself from pain, he
one day raised his foot to the edge Of his desk,
Mr.. Clay, observing his position, sent one Of the
pages TO remind him that he was out Of order.
He looked up, and catching the Speakers eye, :
graciously bowed an acknowledgement OF tho
Justice Of the rebuke, and resumed his custo.
mary diguitied and decOrous position.
At the time referred TO, no interruptions Of
members while speaking were allowed. Now,
such interruptions are constant, and are so gen.
orally and Unfortunately INDUCED in as some.
times to create the EXTREMIST confusion. Then,
speaking TO the question, even in Committee Of
the Whole, was strictly insisted upon, ard the
Speaker was accustomed to remind members