Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-23
THE SPEAKEK'S HAMMER.
Congress- Now and Congress
Thirty Years Ago.

The Boston Traveller, Radical jour
nal, draws the following not very COM
plimentary comparison to the members
of its party who revel in the present
House of Representatives:
This formidable instrument, the Speak
er's hammer, marks All 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 instru-
ment is losing its Potency. We have
seen in some of the recent squabbles q
the House that members are with great
difficulty hamm cred into the prophecies
of debate.
Those who are not accustomed 10 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 the positive disorder which attracts
his attention. The scene which ordina-
rily presents itself is one of confusion.
One-half the members are out of their
seats, walking to and fro, standing in the
aisles or in the area in front Of the
Speaker desk, or gathered in knots here
and there, and engaged in conversation
SO loud as to vie with the voice of mem
Der addressing the House, and even with
the rude noise of the Speakers gavel.
Some members are sitting listlessly, and
with apparent indifference to the proceed
ings, with both feet, it may be, on their ele-
giant carved oak desks. Others, among the
few comparatively who seem to be aware
Of the business before the House, are con-
stantly interrupting the speaker who is
entitled to the floor; and not unfre-
quently two or three members will be
addressing the chair at the same time.
With this and the conversation going on
about the hall, pretty good idea OF Ba-
bel may be formed Every few minutes
the indomitable hammer9s vigorously
but vaiuly piled for the purpose of pound
ing members into sense of decorum
and enforcing conformity to the rules OF
order. Ten times an hour the clear voice
of the Speaker ia heard above the tumult
of tongues requesting members to re-
sumo their seats and come to order, and
urging the request with more or less
vehemence, by more or less violent ap-
plication of the hammer upon the de-
voted desk. 1t must be firm and durable
material which withstands the constant
and severe home strokes Of this despotlc
monitor.
During the long term Of years in which
Henry Clay was Speaker of the House,
he seldom or never used his hammer, IT,
indeed, he was vested with such an en-
blem Of power. A venerable gentleman,
who was a member of Congress thirty
years ago, informs us that be never. In
the course Of several terms of service,
saw Mr.. Clay use the hammer. Either
through his influence as presiding officer,
or the prevalence of better sense OF de-
corum among the members-dignity and
honor marked the proceedings of the
House at all times. But if ever there
were occasions to call to order-aud a
slight departure from the rules Of the
House was deemed an occasion-it was
done, and effectually done, by simple tap
upon the Speaker desk with his folder or
pen -knife. IL, while q member was ad-
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 to suspend his re-
marks till order was restored. An anec-
dote, related by the venerable gentleman
of whom we have spoken, will illustrate
the sentiment which pervade1 the House
At that time, in regard to the department
of members while in their seats: Mr..
Vance. a member from Ohio, was lame
and. 10 relieve himself from pain, he one
day raised bis foot to the edge Of his desk.
Mr.. Clay, observing his position, sent one
of the pages to him, 70 remind him that
he was out of order, He looked up. aud
catching the Speakers eye, graeiously
bowed an acknowledgement of the JUS
tee Of the rebuke, and resumed his
accustomed and diEni6ed position. At
the time referred to, no interrup-
tons Of members while speaking
we're allowed. Nov, such interruptions
are constant, ssd sometimes productive
Of the EXTREMIST confusion and disorder