Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-06-26
The Speakers Hammar.

ers hammar) marks an era IN the man
agement of deliberative bodies. In the
days of Henry Clay it was unknown. A
portrait of that model presiding officer
bearing such symbol would fail to be
recognized. But the manners, no less
than the times, have changed. 1t is no
longer by moral power that parliamen-
tary rules can be sustained 1t is only
by the physical agency of the rough-and-
ready hammer that order and decorum
can in any measure be secured. Such,
at least is the theory. Our impression is,
however, that even that rude instrument
is losing its potency. We have seen in
some of the recent squabbles in the
House that members are with great DIFF
ficulty hammered into the proprieties Of
debate.
Those who arc not accustomed to wit
ness the proceedings of Congress, and
who have not the means, from personal
observation, of comparing the House as
at present conducted with that body as it
existed 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 positive disorder which attracts his
attention. The scene which ordinarily
,orocon+, ;+,n1f :, ono of oo,f,,;an O,o
half the members are out of their seats,
walking to and fro, standing in the aisle,
or in the area in front of the speakers
desk, or gathered in knots here and there,
and engaged in conversation SO loud as
to vie with the voice of a member who
may chance to be addressing the House,
and even with the rude noise of the
speakers gavel. Some members are sit
ting listlessly, and with apparent indif-
ference to the proceedings, with both feet
it may be on their elegant carved oak
desks. Others, among the few compare
lively who seem to be aware of the busi-
ness before the House, are constantly in
terrupting 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 hall
pretty good idea of Babel may be
formed Every few minutes the indom-
liable hammer is vigorously but vainly
piled for the purpose of pounding mem
bers into a sense of decorum and enforc-
ing 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 to resume
their seats and come to order, and urg-
ing the request with more or less vehe-
mencc, by more or less violent applica-
tions of the hammer upon the devoted
desk It must be firm and durable
material which withstands the constant
and severe home-strokcs of this despotic
monitor.
During the long term of years in
which Henry Clay was speaker of the
House, he seldom or never used his ham
mar, if indeed he was invested with such
an emblem of power. A venerable gen.
tleman, who was a member of Congress
thirty years ago, informs us that he new
er in the course of several terms of ser
vice, saw Mr.. Clay use the hammer. Eli
ther through his Influence as presiding
officer, or the prevalence of better sense
of decorum among the members, dignity
and order marked the proceedings of the
House at all times. But, if ever there
were occasions to call to order-and a
slight departure from the rules of the
House was deemed an occasion-it was
done, and ef1ectually done, by simple
tap upon the speakers desk with his
folder or penknife. If, while member
was addressing the House, two Others
were out of their seats, and even whis
pering in front of the speakers desk, Mr.
| Clay would request the member to sus
| pend his remarks till order was restored
An anecdote, related by the venerable
| gentleman of whom VIC have spoken, vii
illustrate the sentiment which prevadec
the House at that time in regard to tn
department of members while in thei
seats, Mr.. Vance, member from Ohio
was lame; and, to relieve himself iron
pain, he, one day raised his foot to TIL
edge of his desk Mr.. Clay, observin:
his position, sent one of the pages to hin
to remind him that he was out of order
He looked up, and catching the speaker
eye, graciously bowed an acknowledge
ment of the justice of the rebukc, ant
resumed his accustomed, decorous an,
dignifed position. At the time referre
to no interruptions Of members Will
speaking were allowed. Now, such il
T terruptions are constant, and sometime
productive of the EXTREMIST confusion
, and Misunderstanding naturally to tho:
: hot-blooded retorts and disgraceful pc
sonal alterations which so frequentl