The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-03-11
NIGHT SCENES IN THE HOUSE

The scenes in the National House of
Representatives during the prolonged ses-
sions, of which there have been several
held of late, are said to be of the
most amusing character. The cores
pondent ofthe Pittsburgh Ledger sketches
some Of those occurring on Wednesday
night.
Blaine kept his seat during the whole
twenty-nine hours session, and at the
hour of adjournment was as white rs a
ghost and his voice as husky as that of an
old man ofseventy. 1t was steady strain
upon him of the most intense character.
He kept strictly within the rules, and al
though he made himself unpopular with
the Republicans by his strict rulings,
they can but respect him for his frmness.
The reason why the partisan Republi.
cans made this fight so bitter was for this
reason; if they had once given way to an
adjournment the force bill could not have
been brought in after Wednesday. SO
Wednesdays session was continued.
During the night there was no end of
ridiculous scenes, In the neighborhood
of two o'clock a. m., members fled to the
sofas, and when they were full, sleepy
congressman bawled out to the occupants
of the galleries to throw them down the
long cushions there. These were thrown
own,and the greatest confusion followed.
Members fought over the cushions, and
then disturbed the rest of those who had
been fortunate enough to obtain them.
Many of the sleepy heads stripped off
coats, boots, and unbuttoned their vests,
while they made themselves 'as comfort
able as possible in all sorts of picturesqe
postures.
Occasionally member would crawl in
among the sleeping ones and pull off
stocking here and there to make bare
footed member discomfort in chasing it
over dirty floor, Occasionally boot or
a book would be thrown in among the
sleepers, which would be most effectual
in inawakening them from pleasant dreams.
Once there was a very amusing incident,
and that was when the Democrats were
short Il few votes, A big book was thrown
in among the sleeping ones, and cry
went up: Here, you Democrats, you are
wanted" They all tumbled out like fire.
men at the tap Of an alarm bell, and came
running our in the aisles in the strangest
kind of disorder bawing out: Here p
PRESENT. "AyeW and the like.
Nesmith, of Oregon, was the funniest
looking o@e in the whole lot. He was so
far undressed that he displayed a more
than moderate amount of red flannel, and
the sleepy way he came forward, ugly and
full Of fight, was very amusing. The
Democrats used every known phase of
parliamentary tactics. They first refused
to vote, and this action would leave the
House without quorum. Then they
would demand, as they had a right to do,
a call Of the House. The call of the
House always disclosed the fact that
quorum was present, Then would come
a motion to suspend further proceedings
under the call, and then motion to re-
consider the vote whereby the last order
had been made. The Democrats were
thus enabled to prevent Republicans to
send out and bring in the absentees. One
hundred and forty.fve is quorum of the
House, and tie Democrats, by not voting
upon any distinct measure prevented the
House from obtaining a quorum.