New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-06-04
HOW CONGRESS BEHAVES.
ce Of The Boston Courier.

WAsHIsGros May 81 1853.
Those who not accustomed 70 witness the pro-
ceedpgs of Congress- and who have not the means,
from personal observation of comparing the present
House with that BODY o. it existed twenty or thirty
wears ago would find it difficult to believe the truth
in regard to it, visitor 10 the House for the first
time il astounded at the want Of dignity and decorum
and the positive disorder and tumul,uolsness which
attract his attention. The scene which ordinarily
presents itself is Of confusion One half of the
Members out Of their seats-walkicg to aud fro;
standing in the alleys in the in front of the
Speaker desk; gathered in knots here and there,
ard engaged IN conversation not unrequenty so loud
a. TO vie with speaker who may be formally address
ing the House; and Members probably lying and even
sleeping upon the luxurious sofas and couches which
surround the Members seats. Some are sitting list
essly and with apparent Indifference to the proceed
pgs in their e,sy chairs, with both their feet, l. may
be, upon their elegant carved oak decks. Others,
among the few comparatively who seem to be aware
of tie business before the House, are constantly in
terrupiDg the speaker who il entitled to the floor;
and not unfrequently two or three Members will be
addressing the Chair at the same time. What with
this ard the conversation going on about the hail. IN
every direction, pretty good idea OF Babel may be
formed. Every few minutes the Speakers hammer is
vigorously but vainly Piled for the purpose OF restor
rg order; and ten times an hour the clear voice OF
the Speaker is heard above the tumut of tongues re-
que sting Members TO resume their seats, and admon
ishDg them that conversation is too loud in the hail.
ana that be cannot entertain any motion or proceed
to business till order If restored Ten times an hour
ference Of the Speaker. 1t must be firm aud durable
material which withstands the constant and severe
application of the Speakers 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 pre-
siding officer or better of decOrum among the
members, dignity and order marked the proceed ngs
Of The House at all times. But II ever there we're
occasion TO call to order-and slight departure from
the rules Of the House was deemed an occssioii-lt
was done, ard efitcually done by simple tap upon
the Speakers desk with his folder or penknife If,
while member vas addressing the House, two others
were out Of their seats ard whispering even IN ffort
of the Speakers deck, MIR. Clay would request the
member TO suspend hisremsik TIL order was restored
An snecdote related recently by venerable gentle.
man ard model legislator, who was member OF
Congress- thirty years ago, will illustrate the sent
ment which pervaded the House at that time 10 regard
TO the department of members while In their seas.
Now as hos been remarked, members are constantly
seen with their feet both feet upon the tops OF their
desks in the most vulgar and unganly position imag-
Unable. The desks, as is known, are elegant aid
expensive being made Of oak, richly and deliberately
carved II is Notifying to the spectator, and 1t
would be no doubt grating to the feelings OF your
Messrs. Doe g. Hazeton the manufacturers Of these
desks to the heels of members OF Congress, which,
Ike their heads, are not always OF the most delicate
structure, in euch rough and Destructive contact with
their beautiful hagGiwork. The anecdote alluded to
is this: Mr.. Vance, a member OF the House, vas
lame and, to relieve himself from pain, he one day
raised his foot 10 the edge OF his desk. MI Clay OBJ,
serving bis position sent one OF the pages 70 remV
him that he was out tf order. He looked up, and
catching the Speakers eye, graciousy bowed an
acknowledgment Of the justice of the rebuke and re-
suned his customary dgnifed and decorous position
At the time referred TO- no interruptions Of members
while speaking allowed. Now, such Interrupt
lions are constant, and are generally and indiscrim
nat.ly INDUCED in sometimes to create the extrein-
est confusion. Then, speaking to the question, even
in Committee Of the Whole, was strictly insisted upon,
and tie Speaker was accustomed to remind members
whenever they rambled or devia.ed from the question
in debate. There was, Of course, no occasion for
members TO call one another to order, as 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 unbounded, and
unmeasured by any rules OF the House or any laws of
proprety. Then, when the HOuse resolved itself into
Committee Of the Whole, il was customary for the
Speaker to 90 down and take part in the debate.
Now, the Speaker retires TO his private room, which
is fitted up with palstisl magnfcerce for the recep-
ton of be friends, AID is more till the rising
Of the Committee which, during his abseIce, scarcely
rises to the dignity OF political caucus, much lees
to that of a town meeting or debating society.