The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-06-17
NUMBER 8.
= Correspondents of the Boston Courier.
How Congress Behaves.


wAsH1SeroN, May 9th. Those who
are not accustomed to witness the pro-
ceedings 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 to the House for the first time is
astonished at the want of dignity and
decorum, and the positive disorder and
tumultuonsness which attract his atten-
ton. The scene which ordinarily pre-
sents itselfis one of confusion. One-half
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 un-
frequently so loud as to vie with a
speaker who may be formally address
ing the House; and members probably
lying and even sleeping upon the luxu-
rious sofas and couches which sur
round the members seats. Some are
sitting listlessly, and with apparent in
difference to the proceedings, in their
easy chairs, with both their feet, it NAV
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
terrnpting the speaker who is entitled
to the floor; and 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,
pretty good idea of Babel may be
formed. Every few minutes the Speak
er's hammer is vigorously but vainly
piled, for the purpose ofrestoring order;
and ten times an hour the clear voice
of the Speaker is heard above the tu-
multi 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 interference of the Speaker. 1t
must be firm and durable material
which withstands the constant and Sc
we're application of the Speakers ham,
mer.
During the long term ofyears in
which Henry Clay was Speaker of the
House, he seldom or never used lis
hammer. Either through his influence
as presiding officer, or better sense
of decorum among the members, Dig
1itHh shs pa pdasae aHa ii l4ksa s hs pESSefdqf pBas
there was occasion to call to order-and
a slight departure from the rules of the
House was deemed an occasion-it
was done, and effectually done by
single tap upon the Speakers desk with
his folder or pen-knife. If, while a
member was addressing the House,
two others were ont of their seats and
whispering, even in front of the Speak
er's desk, DIr. Clay would request the
member to suspend his remarks till or
der was restored. An anecdote re-
Gently related by venerable gentle
man and model legislator, who was a
member of Congress thirty years ago,
will illustrate the sentiment which per-
vaded the House at that time in regard
to the department of the 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
ungainly position imaginable. The
desks, as, as is known, are elegant and
expensive, being Of oak, richly and
deliberately carved. 1t is mortifying to
the spectator, and it would be no doubt
gratifying to the feelings of Messrs.
Doe & Hazleton, the manufacturers of
these desks, to see the heels of memb-
ers of Congress, which, like their heads,
are not always of the most delicate
structure, in such rough and destruct-
i've contact with their beautiful handi-
work.
The anecdote alluded to is this: Mr..
Vance, member of the House, was
lame, and to relieve himself from pain,
be one day raised his foot to the edge
of his desk. Mr.. Clay, observing his
position, sent one of the pages to re-
mind him that it was out Of order. He
looked mp, and catching the Speakers
eye, graciously bowed an acknowledge
ment of the justice of the rebuke, and
resumed his customary dignifed and
decorous position. At the time referred
to, no interruption of members while
speaking were allowed. Now, such
Interruptions are constant, and are so
generally and indiscriminately indulged
in as sometimes to create the EXTREMIST
confusion. Then, speaking to the ques-
ton, even in Committee 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 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 unmeas-
ured by any rules of the House or any
laws of propriety. Then, when the
House resolved itself into a Committee
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 palatial magni6cence for the re-
confion of his friends and Il seort M