New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-08
The Yeurllu0 Member.

resented at the State House to a limited ex
tent, who Is perpetual source of astonish
ment to himself and others, how he got
there. He is in the mental condition of the
hard shell Baptist preacher, who said
when he got to heaven three things he ex
pected would sur prise him. First, not tC
find there many who he thought would get
in. Second, to see some there he did moi
think of meeting; but the greatest surprise
| of all would be 10 find himself there" That
is the case of the member of which we are
now speaking. He either runs in on an in
dependent ticket; or at the regular party
caucus, there being u squabble over con.
testants, they settle it by taking some new
| man for "berter or for worse" This class
| generally draw back seats" aud Idle
yearlings" Their legislative career is
1 brief, and is not apt to be brilliant. But
the yearling member usually is impressed
| with the Importance of the situation, and
labors under the conviction that he must
| make mark. Emerson says every man is
eloquent once in his lifetime.
Without disputing the statement, it is
true that every male American, and lately
some female ones. have the desire at least
once during their lifetime to make a speech.
This desire rises. to white heat with the
| yearling member. He pants and thirsts to
"hold an audience spell bound" Nothing
short of 'spell bound" affair will satisfy
him. Frequently it happens that the only
| spell that follows his maiden effort is the
long, unbroken spell of silence, that seals
! his lips forever after he tries it on. Such
was the fate of Jones, the member from
! Centreborough. who by some local up
| heaval was thrown into the House in -
| for single year, and then went entirely
! out of sight. Jones felt he had special
| call to speak ON the Maine law, as it was
| then called. When member is saturated
| with the idea that he has a mission to per-
| form. it animates his whole nature. Jones
had it good, and his face wore an air of pro-
| foundity. he looked wise as COW chew
| ing her cud, walked about the coat room
| aud the corridors with his hands clasped
! behind him, and he seemed as though his
intellect was graphing with some intricate
metaphysical problem. Of course he had
to get rid of this internal commotion or ex-
plode. So he said to ellison, who knew all
the ropes, and was q recognized leader:
''1'm going to make speech"
"Well. what on :" asked Gibson.
"On the Maine law; you see l have got,
think, a new idea
"An idea is the rarest thing we have in
this House, what is it r.
"lt has struck me that we don't give suf-
fcient weight or value to the actions of
individuals, as such. We are apt to con-
slider that the effect and consequence of
Now l hold that any deed, whether for good
or evil, like a stone cast into the water,
goes On operating indefinitely, so that in
reality human action has endless dura-
ton. Outlasting even the life of the actor
himself. Now if l can give this idea to the
House as I've got it in me, think it will
bring the members to sense of RESPONSE
bi!ity on this question. What do you say
to it 7"
Good thing: fine, impressive. Haye you
mo; but believe I've got it in me, and
I've observed that great speakers are cool
and deliberate, and don't skitter about or
slump in, and intend to be calm and col
lected and do it right"
swell" said Gibson, "you have capital
idea Jones, and if you get it off as you have
told it to me, you will do yourself credit
and make the speech of the session. I will
arrange with the Speaker and see that you
have the floor to morrow"
The next day when the bill cana up the
Speaker recognized our yearling and an
nounced, "Mr. Jones, the member from
CentrebOrough." Jones rose majestcally
and appeared as though dozen DR.. Miners
and ten acre lot of bio Lewises were at
work in his teeming brain. His pause was
awful, but at last he spoke out in clear
and confidential manner.
''Mr. Speaker, Mr.. Speaker, sir | have
been thinking of late-that is, Mr.. Speaker,
lately l have been thinking, sir--that we
don't quite realize, Mr.. Speaker-the conse-
quences, sir, of-of what we do, MIR.
Speaker-when-we do it, sir Mr. Speaker,
sir, think that the influence of an action,
sir, that is, Mr. Speaker, the effect OF an
action-don't stop, sir, with-the influence,
sir, or rather, Mr.. Speaker, that the inf1u-
ence don't stop with the action, sir, an ac-
ton, Mr.. Speaker, the influence of an &C.
ton, cir, that is, Mr.. Speaker, an action has
an influence, sir, that goes On-sir, and don't
stop, sir and don't end, sir-till-til it gets
through, sir. Mr.. Speaker, sir, an action
sir-an influence. SIT, has a-well. Mr..
Speaker, guess I've got into a little too
deep water for me, and the best action can
perform is to sit right down" And down
Jones sat, and rose no more from the Oh
Hvion into which he sank. lie told ellison
sometime afterward that he didn't think
the hall of the House of Representatives
was properly constructed for public speak
ing. ellison thought so too-Atter Dinner
Wtaf KnuuU Y.oHv hid Vno.