Natchitoches spectator., 1868-07-07

The Speakers Hammer---Cengress
NOW AND THE CONGRESS OF THIRTY
YEARS AGO.
The Boston Traveller, Radical Jour
nal, draws the following not very COM
pllmentary comparison to the members
OF its party who revel in the present
House of Representatives.:
This formidable instrument (the
Speakers hammer) marks an era in the
management OF deliberative bodies. In
Che days OF Henry Clay it was unknown.
A portrait Of that model presiding off,
Ger bearing such a symbol would fail to
Oe recognized. But the manners, no
less than the times, have changed. 1t
as no longer by moral power thae par
rules can be sustained. 1t
is only by the physical agency of the
rough and ready hammer that order and
0ec0rum can in any measure be secured.
Such. at least, is the theory. Our i'm
preston is, however,, that even that
rude instrument is losing it's potency.
We have seen in some of the recent
squa5bles in the House that members
are with great difficulty hammered into
the proprieties of debate.
Those who are accustomed to witness
the proceedings of Congress-. and who
have not the means, from personal OBJ
servati0n. Of comparing the House as
at present conducted with that body as
1t existed thirty years ago, would find it
difficult to believe the truth in regard to
1t. A visitor to the House for the first
time Is astonished at the want of digni-
~ nr1A he
tracts his attention. The scene which
presents itself is one of CON
fusion. One-half the members are out
Of their seats, walking to and fro, stand
ing in the aisies or in the area in front
OF the Speakers desk, or gathered in
knots here and there. and engaged in
so loud as to vie with the
voice ofa member addressing the House,
and even with the rude noise Of the
Speakers gavei. Some members are
sitting listlessly, and with apparent in
difference to the proceedings, with both
feet. IL may be, on their elegant carved
oak desks. Others, among the few COM
paratively who seem to be aware of the
business before the House, are constant
~ interrupting the Speaker who is en-
titled to the floor; and not unfrequently
Two or three members will be address
ing the Chair at the same time. What
with this and the conversation going on
about the hall, a pretty good idea of
Babel may be formed. Every few min
utes the indomitable hammer is vigor-
Ously but vainly piled for the purpose
Of pounding members into a sense of
decorum end enforcing conformity to
the rules of order. Ten times an hour
the clear voice of the Speaker is heard
D hn fsru rrnnf raf fnvSr iraer
members to resume their seats and come
20 order, and urging the request with
more or less vehemence, by more or less
violent application of the hammer upon
The devoted desk. 1t must be a firm
md durable material which withstands
,he constant aud severe home strokes of
his despotic monitor.
During the long term of years in
which Henry Clay was Speaker of the
House, he seldom or never used his
hammer, if indeed he was invested with
Iuch an emblem of power. A venera-
ole gentleman, who was q member of
Congress thirty years ago. informs us
hat he never, in the course of several
erms Of service, saw Mr.. Clay use the
hammer. Either through his influence
v q presiding officer, or the prevalence
If dignity and honor marked the pro-
,eedings of the House at all times.
But, if ever there were occasions to call
% order-and a slight departure from
,he rules of the House deemed an occa-
,ion-it was done, and effectually done,
0y q simple tap of the Speakers desk
With his folder or pen-knife. If, while
} member was addressing the House,
TWO others were out of their seats, and
sven whispering in front of the Speak
sr's desk, Mr.. Clay would request the
to suspend his remarks till or
der was restored. An anecdote, related
By the venerable gentleman of whom
We have spoken, will illustrate the SEN
iment which pervaded the House at
hat time, in regard to the department
Of members while in their seats; Mr..
Vance, a member from Ohio, was lame,
and TO relieve himself from pain he one
lay raised his foot to the edge of the
1esk. Mr.. Clay observing his position,
Ient one one Of the pages to him to re-
mind him that he was out of order. He
OOked up, and catching the Speakers
BYE, graciOusly bowed an acknowledge
ment of the justice of the rebuke and
his accustomed and dignified |