The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-30
The Speaker of the House of Representa-
tIVes

partisan members of the Democratic eide of the
House, moved the following appropriate resolu.
ton Immediately previous to the dnal adjourn
ment Of the first session of the Thirty-ninth Con.
grcss:-
"HeSoiUed That the thanks of the members of
the House OF Representatives are eminently due
to the Hon. SCHUYLER CoLPAX, for che dlgniied
lmparuai and deCorous manner in which he has,
during the present session of Congress, dis
charged the duties OF his position, and a truth.
iul recognition OF such services is herewith
given"
The unanimous adoption OF such a resolution,
when 1t is not customary to thank the Speaker
until the final termination of the Congress itself,
is fitting opportunity for the Union press to re-
vert to the services performed by Hon. SCHUYLER
CoLFAx In aid of the Union cause. The Speaker
is still comparatively young man, not being
more than forty. His first entrance into public
lite was at the time of the Kansas troubles in
1856, when his able speech in opposition to the
tyrannical laws of the Buchanan Administration
brought him prominently into notice. He was
nominated for Congress in that year, and has
just now received his sixth denomination.
He was selected for Speaker in 1868, and was
reelected in 1865. The fact that the cheers for
'our noble Speaker" we're proposed by Mr..
SfRoUsE, bitter Democrat, and giuen with a
will, is the best evidence of that lmpartality,
dignity, and courtesy which has marked his
official conduct. The sessions OF the House Of
Representatives are generally most turbulent
assemblies. If honored by an admission to
the floor, the prevailing impression is, that there
is no business Golng. The members stand to-
getherin groups, and hold small quarrels 10 loud
tones of Voice--a general confusion prevails.
There n hn no suph thinu orda A
gentleman rises on the other side and makes a
motion which, to the visitor, is perfectly inau-
dible: but the quick ear of the Speaker
has detected its purport. sharp rap
with his gavel, and the motion is
put in few rapid words. Another member
rises to point of order. He Is evidently indig-
nant at what he considers a breach of privi-
leee. In few clear sentences all doubt is
di>pelled, and the Democrat as well as the Re-
publican join in thanks for the unty;ng OF the
Gordian knoS. Rapid ana nervous in his utter
ance, with mild and genial smile, he succeeds
in pleasing members who made the point and
the entire opposition is overruled.
1t requires particular tact to keep order in an
assemblage In which chaos is continually en-
croaching, and few men possess this quality
more than Mr.. CoLFAx. His conduct in the
case of General ROUSSEAU is fair specimen of
that deicacy which has ever governed his
actions Directed by party vote to pronounce
censure en- the member, he performed his
duty with evident reluctance, and such rapidIty
and inarticulation that no one but those in his
immediate vicinity knew tina: the censure had
been pronounced. General ROUSSEAU was kept
standing less than a minute, aud then he only
heard communicated to him the tact that
resolution had been adopted, without any of the
maignity which predecessor had the bad taste
to indulge in. The consequence was that both
Democratic and Republican members Joined ia
pralsing the delicacy of the presiding officer,
and what would have made many a man ene-
mics only added to the long list of Speaker
CoLFAxs friends.
He goes home to Indiana to be returned once
more to the seat which he has so well filed.
His letter to the nominating Convention is
model OF force and freedom in expression.
There is no vulgar denunciation, there is no
bitter invective, but he calmly states his views,
and every reader feels sure that the writer of
that letter will stand to the views he has
expressed. He has done good service in the
cause of our land, and, if his life is spared, will
yet be heard from in higher places. He is
thorough specimen of American public men;
eVerG self-reliant and practical, his mind has
been moulded by the great events in which he
has been engaged, and thrones have found no
place in his logic OF events. His recent speech
upon closing the House was characterized by
that propriety aud good taste which he has ever
displayed, and we feel sure we express only the
sentiments of both parties when we bestow on
him all encomiums as a model Speaker, an
uDriUhf DatFiOt and aCpOnl n1iSha1 uan
The End Of the War between Prussia
and Austria.
THANKS to the successful laying of the Atlantic