The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-06-24

Those who are not acoStOme0 10 witness
the proceedings Of Congress, and who have
not the means, from personal observation, Of
comparing the present House with that body
q it existed twenty or thirty years ago,
would find il difficult to believe the truth in
regard TO it. A visitor TO the house for the
first time, is astonished at the want Of digni-
~ and decorum, and the positive disorder
and tumultuousness which attracts bis a,ten-
ton. 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 desx gathering in
knots here and there and engaged in con
versation, not unfrequently so loud as TO vie
with speaker, who maybe formally address
ing the House, and Members probably lying,
and even sleeping upon the luxurious sofas
and con hes which surround the Members
seats. Some are sitting listlessly, and with
apparent indifference to the proceedings, in
their easy chairs with both 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 interrupting the
speaker who is entitled to the floor and not
unfrequently to or three members will be ad
dressing the chair at the same 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 vanly piled, for the pur.
pose of restoring order /; and ten times an
hour the clear voice of the Speaker is heard
above the tumult OF tongues, requesting
Members to resume their seats. and admon-
ishing them that the conversation lis too loud
for the Hall, and that he cannot entertain
any motion or proceed to business until or.
der is restored. Ten times oil hour, how
ever, there is renewed occasion for this in
reference by the Speaker. 1t must be u
firm and durable material which withstands
the constant and severe application of the
Speakers hammer.
Daring 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 us presiding officer,
or better sense OF decorum among the
members, dignity and order marked the pro
ceedings Of the House at all times. But if
ever there were occasion to call TO order
and slight departure from the rules of the
House was deemed an Occasion--it was
done, and etlectualy done, by a simple tap
upon the Speakers desk with his folder or
penkniie. Ii, while member was address
ing the House two others were out oil their
seats aud 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 veneer
able gentleman and model legislator who
was member Of Congress thirty years ago
will illustrate the sentiment which pervaded
the House at the time in regard TO the de-
pertinent of members while in their seats.
Now, it has been remarked members are con
stantly seen with their eet--both feet--on
the tops Of their desks in the most ungain-
" and vulgar position imaginable. The
desks, as is known, are elegant and eypen-
sive, being made OF oak richly and elabo-
rately carved. 1t is mortfying to the spec
tator and it would no doubt be grating to the
feelings of Messrs. Doe a lIazelton, the
manufacturers OF these desks to see the
heels OF members Of Congress, which, like
their heads. are not always of the most del
icate structure 10 such destructive contact
with their beautiful handiwork. The anec.
dote alluded to ia this Mr. Vance, a mem.
Der Of the House, was lame. and to relieve
himself from pain, he one day raised his
foot TO the edge Of the desk. Mr. Clay OBJ
serving his position, sent one OF the pages
to remind him that he was out Of order
lie looked up and catching the Speakers
eye, grsciously bowed in acknowledgment
OF the Justice Of the rebuke, and resumed
his customary dignifed and decorous posi-
ton.
At the time referred to, no interruption
Of members while spanking was allowed.
Now, such interruptions are constant, and
are 30 generally and Unfortunately in
dulged IN Us sometimes 10 create the ex
tremest confusion. Then. speaking 10 the
question, even in Committee Of the Whole,
was strictly insisted upon, and the Speaker
was accustomed TO remind members, when.
ever they rambled or deviated from the
question in debate There was, OF course,
no occasion for members TO call one another
TO order, a. they now do necessarily. That
Office was then properly discharged by the
Speaker. Now, the latitude and longitude
Of debate in Committee Of the Whole is un-
bounded aud unmeasured by any rule of the
House, or any laws Of propriety. Then,
when the House resolved itself into Com
mittee Of the Whole ii was customary for
the Speaker to 60 down and take part in
the debate. Now. the Speaker retires to
his private room. which IL fitted up with
palatlal magnfcence for the reception u his
friends, and is sen no more till the rising Of
the Committee, which during his absence,
scareel y rises to the dignity Of a political
CAUCUS, much less to that Of a town meetinR
or debating society.
PRO6REss on WoaK on THg Ia CEos-E
RoAp-The Mauston Star OF the 18th ult
says Tie track Is now nearly all fnisbel
from Touah 10 the Tunnel, ani there il no
doubt but the passenger cars viii reach i,s