Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-03
CABINET OFFICERS
On the Floor of Congress.
EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH OF HON. S. S. cox,
of Ohio.

tklhhGl FhUm InE orCIIn VI nun. q. o. Ouh
of Ohio.
The speech Of Hon. S. S. Cox from which
the following humorous extract is made
was delivered in the House of Representa-
tives on Thursday, the 26th ult:
The committee would assimilate our sys
tenn with that of England. Let them moi
be backward, but go to the full length Of
the precedent. An attempt was made to
copy the English custom and to remove our
desks some few years ago. 1t was tried,
and failed, because the body could not make
themselves used to the change. Why not,
at the same time, have our Speaker dressed
after the fashion of the English Speaker, in
silken gown and horse-hair wig?
would be willing to give my mileage in the
next Congress [laughter] if you, Mr.. Speak
er, would be willing to be thus tricked out
[Laughter.] Why not also have our Ser
geant-at-Arms, Doorkeepers, and assistants
dressed in black tights and knee-buckles,
sworded and belted with authority? Why
not have the members sit with heads cover
ed, except when rising to debate? bar
clay's Digest, page 7S) Why not introduce
the peculiar exercises by which Jubilant or
impatient members are wont in the Eng
lish Parliament to greet the speakers whom
they like or dislike? Our rules, as collated
by Mr.. Barclay, or rather in the Manual of
Jefferson, barclay, page 75,) seem to point
to some such diversions, which the comnlIt-
tee have overlooked:
Nevertheless if member finds that Il is not the
inclination of the House to hear him, aud that by
conversation, or any other noise, l.aughter,l they
endeavor TO drown his voice, it is The most prudent
way TO submit to the pleasure nt the House and sit
guilty Of this piece Of iii manners Ilaushteri with
out sufficient reason"
The utility of such performances would
be apparent as q relief from the tedium of
a Cabinet disquistion or lecture from the
throne through the Secretary of State. 1t
is recorded in Cobbett's Parliamentary His
tory, in Elizabeth's time. when an arrogant
ministry demanded subsidies of the Com
mons, that san obsequious sergeant Hyle,
said, Il marvel much that the house will
stand upon granting subsidy, when all
we have is her Majesty's,' at which the
House hemmed, laughed, and talked" SO
that there was in England remedy against
ministerial arrogance in the boisterous clam
or of the Commons. This system was
brought to the highest refinement in these
later days when have seen in Parliament
scenes of indecorum that would utterly
startle any one but Disraeli or a Peel from
their propriety. DIR. Warren, in that
authentic record of Tittlebate Titmouses
exercitations when elected to Parliament,
has happily illustrated the English system.
That.person so long kept down by modesty,
the twin sister of merit, brought into requi-
sition some of his early accomplishments,
and attained sudden distinction. He had
been accustomed, when baberdasher's
clerk, to initiate the cries of cats, the
squeaking of pigs, the braying of donkeys,
and the yelping of ours, and the crowingof
cocks. Laughter.] The biographer, in
referring to these elements Of his genius,
says; ,...,. a. ,..., .,..,
the window, and. lighting upon it. abruptly cease its
little noise. and anon flying of again. AZ suddenly
resume il; q chicken, peering and picking its way
cautiously among the growing cabbages; cat, at
midnight on the moonlit tiles. pouring forth the
rows Of her heart account of the absence of her
inconstant mate: acock, suddenly waking out of
horrd dream, Qt might be the nightmare and, in
the ecstacy Of its fright growing as though il would
split at once its throat and heart alarming all man
kind; little cur, yelping with mingled fear and
rage, at the same time, as II were advancing back;
ward, in view Of fendish tom-cat with high-curved
back, flashing eyes, and splitting fury"
1t was upon certain night when the
ministry had a pitched battle with the OPP
position that the opportunity came for the
display of these qualities. The debate wax
ed hot and personal. The leader of the OPP
position was replying, to a minister. 1t was
Ms If my friend before Inc was excoriating
the war minister for his arbitrary arrests.
[Laughter.l Vehement and tumultuous
cheers burst forth in answer to his eloquent
denunciations. The ministry sat pale and
anxious. Closing his recapitulation of
points, with frantic energy, he exclaimed:
"And now, sir, does the noble lord opposite talk of
is,psacAmeaH ask him in the face Of this House,
and Of the whole country, whose eyes fixed upon
1t with anxiety and agitation, will he presume to re-
Ipause for reply"
And he did pause, several seconds elaps-
ing in dead silence, when presently most
astounding and unprecedented sound of
Observation-Disclosures [great laughterl
issued, with inimitable fidelity Of tone and
manner, from Immediately behind Lord
Bulfnch, who sprang from his seat as if he
had been shot. Every one started.
Thus ministry was saved. Laughter
Political importance, never vouchsafed to
eloquence, followed this timely expression.
The member became famous; English par
liamentary history received an ensample
which our committee would do well to con-
slider In the future perfection OF this English
system reported by theml
During the debate of yesterday, Mr..
Speaker, cannot but think, after the
splendid speech of my friend from New
York, Mr.. Brooks, In defense of his privil-
eye, he had the right to crow his ''cock-a-
doodle-do-oo." [Laughter.] Orperhaps the
gentleman from Illinois, IMr. Ingersoll,l
(laughterl was entitled to practice the same
art Of statesmanship. [Laughter.] Knight
have called on the venerable member from
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Stevens, after his good
natured reply [laughter] to my friend from
New York, MIR. Brooks,l to give us an ex-
ulting crow over his success!
Were possessed Of such an accomplish
ment, sir, ] would use 1t to usher In, with
the notes Of chanticleer, better dawn for
our countryl
But sir, these are arguments rather ad
absn,zem. Still, II we are to begin on the
English model, where are we to stop?
Let the committee, therefore, assimilate
our system altogether TO that of England -
See how NJ will work practically without o