Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-06-17
How Congress Behaves.

| Those Who are not accustomed 10 Will
ness the proceedings Of Congress. and who
have not the means, from personal observa-
ton, of comparing the present House with
that body as it existed twenty or thirty years
ago, would find it difficult to believe the
truth in regard to it. A visitor 20 the
House for the first time is astounded at the
want of dignity and decorum, and the posi-
tive disorder and tumultuousness which at
tracts his attention. The scene which or
dinarily presents itself is the one of con-
fusion. One-haf of the Members are out
of their seats-walking to and fro; stand
ing in the alleys, or in the area in front Of
| the Speakers desk; gathered in knots here
and there. and engaged in conversation, not
unfrequently so loud IS to vie with speak
er who may formally addressing the House;
and Members probably lying and even Sleep
ing upon the luxurious sofas and eouches
which surround the Members seats. Some
are sitting listlessly, and with apparent in
difference to the proceedings. in their easy
chairs with both their feet, it may be, upon
their elegantly carved oak desks. Others
among the few comparatively who seem to
be aware of the business before the House
are constantly iDterrupting the speaker who
is entitled to the floor; and not unirequent-
ly tu % or three Members will be addressing
the Chair at the same time. What with
this and the conversation going On about
the hallsin every direction, pretty good
idea of Babel may be formed. Every few
Minutes the Speakers hammer is vigorous
ly but vainly piled, for the purpose of re-
storing order; and ten :imes an hour the
clear voice of the Speaker is heard above
the tumut of tongues, requesting Members
to resume their seats. and admonshing them
that conversation is too loud in the hall land
that he cannot entertain any motion or pro-
times an hour, however, there is renewed
occasion for this interference Of the Speak
er. 1t must be a firm and durable material
which withstaHds the constant and severe
app LEGATION of the Speakers hammer.
During the long term OF years in which
Henry Clay was Sp aker of the House, he
Sc dom or never used his hammer. Either
through his influence as presiding officer
or better sense of Gecorum among the
members. dignity and order marked the pro-
eedings of the House at all times. But il
ever there were occasion to call to erder-&a
light departure from the rules of the House
was deemed an occason-it was done, and
effectual.y done, by simple tap upon the
Speakers desk with his folder or penknife
II, while a member was addressing the
House, two others were ont of their seats
and whispering even in front of the Speak
er's d, SIX, Mr.. Clay would request the mem
ber to suspend his remarks until rider was
restored. An anecdote related recently by
venerable gentleman and a model leglsla,
tor, who was member of Congress thirty
years aga 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 constantly seen with the r
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 morti-
fying to the spectator, and it would be no
doubt gratifying the feelings of your Messrs.
Doe & HazleIon, the manufacturers of these
desks, to see the heels OF members of Con-
g7ess, which, like their heads, are not al
ways of the most delicate structure. in such
rough and de structive contact with :her
beautiful handiwork. The anecdote alluded
to is this: Mr. Vance a member of 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 cat hing the Speakers eye, gracious
ly bowed an acknow Judgement of the
justice of the rebuke and resumed his custo-
mary digni6ed and decorous position.
At the time referred to, no interruptions
of members while speaking were allowed.
Now, such in erruptions are constant, and
are SO generally and inhiscriminately in
dulged in as s1metmes to create the ex.
lremest confusion. Then, S king TO the
question, even in Committee of the Whole
was strictly insisted upon, and the Speaker
was accustomed to remind members when
ever they rsmbled or devia:ed from the
question in debate. There was. of course,
no occasion for members to cali one an
other to order, as they now do incessantly.
That Office was then properly discharged by
the Speaker. Now. the latitude and longi-
tude of debate in Committee of the Whole
is unbouuded, and unmeasured'by any rules
OF the House or any laws of propriety -
Then, when the House resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole, it was Customary
for the Speaker to 60 down and take part
in the debate. Now. the Speaker retires to
his private ronm, which is fitted up with
palatial magnii:ence 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 dignity OF a
political caucus, much less 10 that of town
meeting or DEBATING society.
VIM. Nj. CoTnelly Liberated