San Andreas independent., 1858-07-24

proceedings of Congress, ard who have
not the means, from personal observation,
of comparing the present House with
that body as it existed twenty or thirty
years ago, would find it difficult to be-
lieve the truth In regard toit. A visitor
to the House for the first time is aston
ished at the want of dignity and decorum
and the positive disorder and tumultu-
ousness which attract his attention. The
scene which ordinarily presents itself is
one of confusion One-half of the mem
bers are cut of their seats-walking to
and fro; standing in the alleys, or in the
area in front of the Speaker desk; gath
cred in knots here and there, and engaged
in conversation, not unfrequently 50 loud
as to vie with speaker who may be for
mally addressing the House; and mem
bers probably lying and even sleeping
upon the luxurious sofas and couches
which surround the members seats
Some are sitting listlessly, and with ap-
parent indifference to the proceedings, in
their easy chairs, with both their feet, it
may be, upon their elegant carved oak
desks. Others, among the few, compar-
atively, who seem to be aware of the busi-
ness before the House, are constantly in
terrupting the speaker who is entitled to
the floor; not unfrequently two or three
members will be addressing the Chair at
the same time What with this and the
conversation going on about the hall, in
every direction, a pretty good idea of Ba-
bel may be formed Every few minutes
the Speakers hammer is vigorously but
valniy piled, for the purpose of restoring
order; and ten times in an hour the clear
voice of the Speaker is heard above the
tumult of tongues, requesting members
to resume their seats, and admonishing
them that conversation is too loud in the
hall, and that he cannot entertain any
motion or proceed to business till order is
restored. Ten times an hour, however,
there is renewed occasion for this interfe-
renee of the Speaker 1t must be firm
and durable material which withstands
the constant and severe application of the
Speakers hammer
During the long term ofyears in which
Henry Clay was Speaker of the House,
he seldom or never used his hammer
Either through his influence as presi-
ding officer, or better sense of decorum
among the members, dignity and order
marked the proceedings of the House at
all times But if ever there was occa-
sion to call order-and slight departure
from the rules of the House was deemed
an eeeasion-it was done, and effectually
done, by a simple tap upon the Speakers
desk with his folder or penknife. If,
while amember was addressing the House,
two others were out of their seats and
whispering, even in front of the Speak
er's desk, Mr.. Clay would request the
member to suspend his remarks till order
was restored. An anecdote related re-
Gently by a venerable gentleman and a
model legislator, who was member Of
Congress thirty years ago, will illustrate
the sentiment which pervaded the House
at that time in regard to the department
of members while in their seats. Now,
as has been remarked, members are con-
stantly seen with their feet, both feet,
upon the tops of their desks, in the most
vulgar and ungainly position imaginable.
The desks, as is known, are elegant and
expensive, being made of oak richly and
elaborately carved 1t is mortifying to
the spectator, and it would be no doubt
grating to the feelings of your Messrs.
Doe 4 Hazleton, the manufacturers of
these desks, to see 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,
a member of the House, was lame, and to
relieve him from pain he one day raised
his foot to the edge of his desk Mr.
Clay, observing his position, sent one of
his pages to remind him that he was out
of order. lie looked up, and catching
the Speakers eye, graciously bowed an
acknowledgment of the justice of the re-
buke and resumed his customary digni-
fed and decorous position.
AT the time referred to, no Interrupt
tlODS Vi the IcnlDcTS WnlIc speaking
were allowed. Now, such interruptions
are constant, and are so generally and in
discriminatory INDUCED in as sometimes
to create the EXTREMIST confusion. Then,
speaking to the question, even in COM
mittee of the whole, was strictly insisted
upon, and the Speaker was accustomed to
remind members whenever they rambled
or deviated from the question in debate.
There was, of course, no occasion for
members to call one another to order, as
they now do incessantly. That office was
then properly discharged by the Speaker.
Now, the latitude and longitude of debate
IN committee of the whole is unbounded.
and unmeasured by any rules of the
House or any laws of propriety. Then,
when the House resolved itself into com
mlttee of the whole, it was customary for
the Speaker to go down and take part in
the debate. Now, the Speaker retires to
his private room, which is fitted up with
palatal magniticence for the reception Of
his friends, and is seen no more till the
rising of the committee, which, during
his absence. scarcely rises to the dionitv