The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-04-26
Letter from Washtnstam.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April %, 1870.
10 the Editor of the Press.
A PARLIAMENTARY FROLIC.

10 the Editor of the Press:
A PARLIAMENTARY FRoLIC.
The tariff is the bette noir of the Indifferent
majority on either side. 1t has dragged i'sei
in SO elongated fashion, and there are 60 ma
nv who have made up their minds as to what
thew will do on the bill that they are perfectly
;naiearent or nearly so, to the debate over
the tiresome details.
Chairman Schenck determined to have
quorum last night and he got it. The House
assembled at seven, Mr.. Wheelerof New ork
in the Chair,-it being expected that the Com
mittee of the Whole would be formed. MIR.
Wheeler acted as Speaker pro tempore, Mr.
Blaine being counted among the absentees.
The presiding officer is most admirable, and
has won golden opinions from everybody. 1t
soon became evident that no quorum was
present. On the first call there was 140 alb
sentees. On the next previous to closing the
door there was 1O4. Then begun the frolic,
which is usual one towards the last half OF
the session.
was in the corridor when the door closed
and enjoyed tae chagrin of number OF
members who got caught there. In few
minutes I went to the reporters gallery,
which is the best place to see and hear. There
was good deal OF jollity and laughter among
| members provoked by the funny excuses OF
| the colleagues of absentees. One of the most
uproarious bursts of hiIarity was created by
Mr.. Cessna of Pennsylvania, moving to ex-
cuse John COvode on account of being sick,
adding with an indescribable air of mock
solemnity that he "knew Mr.. Cov0de was
sick, having assisted in putting him to bed"
The remark was interpreted as Mr.. Cessna
seemed to desire, and "Honest John" might
well beg to be excused from defence by his
friends. Mr.. Ames was declared to be I'M
well, and it was suggested that he was away
on business, and ought not to be excused
Cox "(Shoo-fy") sent request for excuse
saying he was sick, had been up all night with
the Ohio visitors So the farce went OIL, unit
the absentees in custody of Col. Ordway
were admitted, when it became the broades'
kind of comedy.
| Some of the excuses were funny; some
were sour and cross, but the lucky fellows in
their seats keep up fusilade of jokes and
jests, poor enough but serving for amuse-
ment. McCreery of Iowa thoughtlthe House
had treated him badly, he having been min
ute too late-so he sulked. The House laugh
ed and-fined him ten dollars. Fitch OF Ne
vada,-eoquent, brilliant, witty-man OF the
world as well as orator and thinker-turneo
his Situation into merriment by declaring thai
he thought the tariff had been treated SO bad
y thatOut Of sympathy with Pennsylvania hi
had gone to take bath. He was fined ter
dollars, though little Dickey of Pa, though
bis sympathy was worth fifteen. Hamilton
Of Florida complained that a constituent hat
| detained him. some one moved to fine tina
individual and make the Colonel pay it. Har
ris OF Mississippi said he was on the OUTSIDE
OF the circle and could not hear Tor the bah
BILE about him, so did not know that a session
| was ordered. Fitch moved that he be fnet
ten dollars tor swinging around the circle,
which was done. The handsome and veneer
able MIR. Poland pleaded that he be gone will
his wife to call on his ministe. and got ava.
as soon as p ssble. Some one audiby re
marked II don't doubt it," but left the audi
ence in doubt which it was the Judge go
away from in haste. Some one moved tina
the gallant Vermonter be fined to tn
amount OF As per cent. Gd ralOrem. The ST.
| wit was appreciated. The Judges own figure
are tgood, and the fine would hav'
been considerable. He was excused. :
Your talented representative, Mr. Hall
created considerable laughter. He wa
bantered considerably but repaid wita inter
est. Eldridee of Wisconsin, said it was th'
first time Tor seven years that he had beer
, caught, and Hale said it would be the las
time. if he should be here seven years
Peters moved ne be fined only five dollar
because he was young, poor. Hale hOpet
5 not, as he believed in paying for his lessons
, So the comedy proceeded until past clever
O'Clock. We are to have second edition a
one O'Clock on Monday, absentees being OF
dered unuer arrest. Mr.. Cleveland, one Q
the Fl ned, proposed to apply the proceeds t
the payment of the national debt. He move
later in the evening to reconsider the finin
motions and lay that motion on the table
Altogether nineteen members were fined, an,
$3.50 collected. Some bad temper was showl
by Mr.. Bingham-but that is his forte "y,l
know J" so no one cared. The frolic probabl,
cost $1,000 in gas, mot that enclosed in biped
al retorts) and other expenses. There wer
| 43 members absent who will be brought VI
on Monday. Eighteen were absent on leav,
and eight were sick. There ought to be SOM
more stringent rules compelling attendance
PROSPECTS OF THE TARIFF.
1t seems to be quite generally accepted tina
recent action in committee of the whole ha
injured the prospects of the pending meas
ures. Its friends are disguised at some in
roads made by the revenue tariff people
They are elated and believe that in the ent
they will carry some important modification
of the system. The reduction of the pig iroT
duties is the most enormous blow yet made a
those interests and leads them necessarially t.
present the existing law. 1t seemed almost
certain that the discussion has widen greatly
and passed out of control SPECTATOR.
COTToN M ACHTNrRy -.Jamas RI McMnllan