Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-06-17
Congress- Past and Present.

1
Those who lived in the days when Clay was
Speaker of the House, will read the following
with no ordinary interest-it is from the
Washington correspondent of the Boston COu-
rig. We are free to say-"Plato, thou reason
est well -
Those who are not accustomed to witness
| the proceedings of Congress, and who have
not the means, from personal observatian, 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 il. A visitor to the House for the first
time, is astounded at the want of dignity and
| decorum, and the positive disorder and sim
ultaneousness which attracts his attention.
The scene which ordinarily presents itself is
one of confusion. One-half of the members
| are out of their seats-walking to and fro;
| standing in the alleys or in the area in front
| of the Speakers desk; gathered in knots here
| and there, and engaged in conversation, not
| unfreQueetly so loud as to vie with speaker
| who may be formally addressing the House:
| and members probably lying and sleeping
upon the luxurious sofas and couches which
| surround the members seats. Some are sit
ting listlessly. and with apparent 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
comparatively who seem to be aware of the
business before the House, are constantly in
trrrupting the speaker who is entitled to the
floor: and not unfrequently two or three MEM
bers will be addressing the Chair at the same
time What with this and the conversation
gong on about the hall, in every direction, a
pretty good idea of Babel may be formed
Every few minutes the Speakers hammer is
vigorously but vainly piled, for the purpose
of restoring order; and ten times an hour the
clear voice of the Speaker is heard above the
tumult of tongues. requesting members to re-
sumo their seats. and admonishing them that
conversation is too loud in the hall, and that
he cannot entertain any motion or proceed to
business until order Is restored. Ten times an
hour however, there is renewed occasion for
this interference of the Speaker. 1t must be
a firm and durable material which withstands
the constant and severe application of the
Speaker hammer.
|. During the long term of years in which
Henry Clay was Speaker of the House, he
seldom or never used his hammer. Either
through his influence as presiding officer, or
better sense of decorum among the MEN,
bers, dignity and order marked the proceed
ings of the House at all times. But if ever
there were occasion to call to order-and a
slight departure from the rules of the House
was deemed an occasion-it was done, and
efiectually done, by simple tap upon the
Speakers desk with his folder or penknife.
If, while n member was addressing the
House, two Others were out of their seats and
whispering even in front of the Speakers
desk Mr.. Clay would request the member to
suspend his remarks till order was restored.
An anecdote related recently 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 depOrt-
ment of members while in their seats. Now,
as has been remarked, members are constantly
seen with their feet, both feet, upon the tops
of their desks, in the most vulgar and I'M
calmly position imaginable. The desks, as is
known, are elegant and expensive, being
made of oak, richly and deliberately carved.
1t is Notifying to the spectator, and it would
be no doubt grating to the feelings of your
Messrs. Doe Il HaZelton, the manufacturers
of these desks, to see the heels of members of
Congress. which, like their heads, are not al
ways of the most delicate structure, in such
rough and destructive contact with their
beautiful handiwork. The anecdote alluded
to is this-Mr. Vance, n 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 him to remind him that
he was out of order. He looked up, and
catching the Speakers eve. graciously bowed
an acknowledgement OF the Justice of the re-
bike, and resumed his customary digniied
and decorous position.
At the time referred to no Interruptions Of
members while speaking were allowed. Now
such Interruptions are constant, and are
generally and unfortunately INDUCED in as
sometimes To create the EXTREMIST confusion.
Then, speaking TO the question. even in com
mttce of the whole, was strictly insisted up
on, 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, they now do necessarily.
That Office was then properly discharged 10y
the Speaker. Now, the latitude and longi-
tude 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 commit
tee of the whole il customary for the |
Speaker TO go down aud take part in the de-
bate. Now. the Speaker retircs 20 his private |
room, which lie fitted up with palatial magniii- |
cence for the reception of bis friends and is |
seen no more I'll the rising of the committee. |
which during his absence scarcely rises TO the /
dignity of a political caucus, much less TO |
that OF town meeting or a debating So |
ciety.
There are other matters connected with the |
deliberations of Congress. and with n com
parison of the Congressman now and those |
thirty years ago, which are worth noticing, |
but for which there is not room now.
CATO.