Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-17
THE SPEAKER,S HAMMER.

Thirty Years Ago.
The Boston TFaueller, Radical journal,
draws the following not very compliment
airy comparison to the members of its party
who revel in the present House Of Repre-
sentatiyes:
This formidable instrument (the Speak
er's hammer) marks an era in the manage
ment Of deliberative bodies. In the days
of Henry Clay il was unknown. A pOf-
trait of that model presiding officer bear
ing such a symbol would fail to be recog-
niEed. But the manners no less than the
times have changed. II is no longer by
moral power that parliamentary rules can
be sustained. II is only by the physical
agency Of the rough and ready hammer
that order and decorum can in any mea-
sure be secured. Such, at least, is the the
ory. Our impression is, however, that
even that rude instrument is losing its po-
tency. We have Iseen in some of the re-
cent squabbles in the House that members
are with great difficulty hammered into the
prophecies Of debate.
Those who are not accustomed TO witness
the proceedingsOf Congress, and who have
not the means, from personal observation,
Of comparing the House as at present con-
Quoted with that body as il existed thirty
years ago, would find il difficult TO believe
the truth in regard 10 il. A visitor to the
House for the first time il astonished at the
want of dignity and the positive disorder
which attracts his attention. The scene
which ordinarily presents itself is one Of
confusion. One-half the members are out
of their seats, walking 10 and fro, standing
in the aisles or in the area in front Of the
Speakers desk, or gathered in knots here
and there, and engaged in conversation 30
loud AZ TO vie with the voice Of a member
addressing the House, aud even with the
rude noise of the Speakers gavel Some
members are sitting listlessly, and with
apparent indifference 10 the proceedings,
with both feet it may be, on their elegant
carved oak desks. Others, among the few
comparatively who seem to be aware Of the
business before the House, are constantly
interrupting 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,
pretty good idea of Babel may be formed.
Every few minutes the indomitable ham
mer is vigorously but vainly piled for the
purpose of pounding members into a sense
Of decorum and enforcing conformity TO
the rules Of order. Ten times an hour the
clear voice Of the Speaker is heard above
the tumult Of tongues requesting members
10 resume their seats and come 10 order,
and urging the request with more or less
vehemence, by more or less violent appli-
cation of the hammer upon the devoted
desk. Ii must be firm and durable ma
terial which withstRnds the conatant and
severe home strokes Of this despotic mont
tor.
During the long term Of years in which
Henry Clay was Speaker of the House, he
seldom or never used his hammer, if in
deed he was invested with such an emblem
of power. A venerable gentleman, who
was q member Of Congress thirty years ago.
informs US that he never, in the course Of
several terms Of service, saw Mr.. Clay use
the hammer Either through his influence
az a presiding officer, or the prevalence Of
4 better sense of decorum among the mem
bers, dignity and honor marked the pro-
ceedings of the House at all times. But,
II ever there were occasions TO call to order
and a slight departure from the rules Of
the House deemed an oecasiOn-it was
done, and efectually done, by simple tap
upon the Speakers desk with his folder or
pen-knife. II, while a member was adj
dressing the House, two others were out of
their seats and even whispering in front Of
the Speakers desk, Mr.. Clay would request
the member 90 suspend his remarks til
IL, 4
by the venerable gentleman Of whom we
have spoken, will illustrate the sentiment
which peryaded the Honse at that time, in
regard 10 the department of membe& while
in their seats; Mr.. Vance, a member from
Ohio, was lame; and, TO relieve himself
from pain, he one day raised his foot to the
edge OF his desk. Mr.. Clay, obsery-
ing his position, sent one of the pages
10 him, 10 remind him that he was out OF
order he looked mp, and catching the
Speakers eye, graciously bowed an ac-
acknowledgement Of the Justice Of the rebuke,
and resumed his accustomed and dignifed
position. AT the time referred 10, no in
terruptions of members while speaking
were allowed. Now, such Interruptions
are constant, and sometimes productive of
the EXTREMIST confusion and disorder
leading naturally 20 those hot-blooded re-
torts and disgracefui personal alterations
which 30 frequently occur. Then, speaking
20 the question, even in the Committee Of
the Whole, was strictly insisted upon, and
the Speaker was accustomed 20 remind
members whenever they rambled or devia-
ted from the question in debate. There
was, of course, little or no occasion for
10 call one another to order as
they now do inoesssntly. That Office was
then properly discharged by the Speaker.
Now, the latitude and Longitude Of debate
in Committee of the Whole ia unbounded
and unmeasured by any rules Of the House
or any laws Of propriety. Fhen, when the
House resolved itself into Committee Of /
the Whole, IL was customary for the |
speaflr 10 90 down and take part in the |
debate. Now the Speaker retires TO his /
private room, which is lifted up with pala-
Iial magnihoence for the reception OF his
friends, and is seen no more till the rising /
Of the committee, which, during his alb /
seBoe, scarcely rises to the dignity Of a po- /
litioAl caucus, much less % that Of a town
meeting or debating society. From all |
Of which we infer that there is very little
moral power In the Speakers hammer, and
hat parliamentary order and decorum and
he amenities and courtesies Of debate are
dependent upon a higher principle than
IAN be evolved from any physical agency
whatever. Il