The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-06
c.e,t confusion and Excitement I'm
The House OF Beprescntatives-"We
.re all slaves"

NJ BROOKS made the point Of order
.,at the Reading Clerk had not called the
ines Of the members elect from Georgia
and Louisiana.
~" The Clerk orerruled the point of order.
Mr., BROOKS appealed from the ruling
If the Clerk.
The Clerk refused to entertain the ap-
Then commenced scene Of noise, up.
~,ar. and excitement, which, for q time,
tbrestened to result in general row.
Mr.. BROOKS, at the top Of his voice, as
sorted his right to appeal from the tyranny
O. Mr. Mr. WAsBBURNE, of Illinois, demanded
that the Clerk should 60 on and call the
roll.
The Clerk was proceeding to do so +; but
Mr.. BROOKS seemed determined not to
he nut down in that way, and shouted, I
am member of the House, and | have o
right to appeal from the tyranny of the
Clerk.
The Clerk mildly directed that the gem
,Icroan from New York should take his
seat.
Mr.. BROOKS defantly declared that the
his seat on the order of the Clerk.
The Clerk reminded Mr.. BROOKS that the
Clerk was acting under the authority of
lag.
Mr.. BROOKS was not to be appeased in
,ha, manner, and declared that the Clerk
pss not setting under authority Of law, but
in violation Of all law. Loud calls to
order and great confusion.
Mr.. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, demand
eli that the Clerk should put the question
on nominations for Speaker, and he nomi-
mated JAMES 6. BLAINE, of Maine.
Mr.. BROOKS insisted on his right of ap-
neal. and tried to make himself heard
but his voice, though raised to its highest
r;;cb. vas drowned in shouts of "Call the
roll."
The Clerk once more directed Mr.. BROOKS
10 take his seat.
Mr.. BROOKS utterly refused to do SO,
md asserted that he was member of the
House, while the person undertaking to
dictate to him WAS Clerk Of the House.
The Clerk retorted that the gentleman
WAS not member of the House, but only @
member elect.
Mr.. BROOKS And the Clerk is not the
Clerk of the House, nor even Clerk elect.
The Clerk replied that the gentleman
was mistaken. By the law, the Clerk Of
the last House was the Clerk of this body.
Mr.. BROOKS: The Clerk is bound by
the law and the rules; and the rule is that
pending the election of d Speaker the
Clerk shall preserve order and decorum,
and shall decide all questions of order that
may arise, subject to appeal to the House"
The Clerk (interrupting Mr.. Brooks)
said 1t is very unpleasant duty for the
Clerk
Mr.. BROOKS Gnterrupting): I know it
is: but the Clerk is bound by the law, and
is bound to hear the law.
The Clerk: The Clerk is enforcing the
,aw.
Mr.. BROOKS: The Clerk is not enforcing
the law, but is violating the law. [Great
confusion and excitement.
Mr.. WASHBu RNE, of Illinois: The mem
her from New York should be put in arrest
hy the Sergeant-Gt-A
AT this time almost all the members
we're on their feet, the Republicans calling
to order and the Democrats sustaining the
position taken By Mr.. BROOKS; and the ex-
element was intense on the floor and in the
galleries
Mr.. ELDRIDGE inquired, as question Of
order, by what rules the Clerk was govern
cd-by the rules Of the House or by the
law CT the land ?
The Clerk replied that he was governed
hy the law Of the land and by the rules OF
the House.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE: It ID the law of the land
which the gentleman from New York seeks
to have enforced, and the Clerk refuses to
entertain an appeal. | do not believe that
the majority here to-day would deny the
right Of appeal to member Of the House
load shouts of Call the roll.'l
The Clerk lin the midst of the now in
creusiDg confusion) inquired whether there
were any other nominations to the oiilce o.
Speaker!
Mr.. ELDRIDGE, however, persisted II
keeping the floor and in trying to make
himself heard. He would not say that thu
Clerk was not right, but he would say tina
the right of appeal was allowed to member
of Congress, and he demanded that RICH
now. Applause and encouragement from
the Democratic side.
Mr.. JONES, Of Kentucky, addressed the
Clerk but was met with vociferous shouts
Of "Call the roll"
Mr.. ELDRlDGE put it to the other side
Of the House whether, when an appeal was
taken in respectful language, it should be
denied.
MIR. BROOKS: 1t never has been de-
MED.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE 1t never would be de-
MED hut that We are all slaves. Great
excitement Iappeal to the sense Of JUS
tee Of the men who hold the power of the
majority here.
Mr.. JONES, Of kentucky; l desire to
make point of order, and | esk to have
the rule read which secures the right of
appeal.
Mr.. LOGAN: I appeal to the Clerk to
keep order. If gentlemen are determined
70 make displays of this kind, / ask that
the Clerk shall have them arrested by the
geant-atArms.
This suggestion was hailed with salvc
Of clappiug of hands on the Republican
side Of the chamber and in the galleries.
Mr.. BROOKS defed the gentleman from
Illinois to make any arrests.
The Clerk again inquired whether there
were any other nominations for Speaker.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE persisted in appealing
to the sense Of justice of the majority.
[Cries of Call the roll.'l
Mr.. BROOKS: insist on my right Of
appeal.
The Clerk called upon Messrs. CULL0M,
KELSEY, WOODWARD, and VOORHEES,, to act
as tellers in counting the vote for Speaker.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE: / ask gentlemen il
they will not allow US to appeal to them
from the arbitrary act of the Clerk
TCalls to order.
Dir. LOGAN: insist that the Sergeant