New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-20
Rln AIR IN TILE HOTSE.

The House of Representatives shows reluc-
lance to DO poisoned by insufficient yentila-
tion. When Mr.. HOar of Massachusetts IN
formed his associates last Thursday that dur
ing the past eight years seven members from
that State had departed this life, the funereal
reminiscenco naturally excited the apprchen-
sions of tho survivors. Mr.. Blaine was sure
that the air of the hall chad never been so
"bad as this year" Mr.. Young, from the Sub
Committee on Ventilation, made the discour-
aging report that it is impossible to force into
the House a sufficient supply of fresh air Tor
600 persons. There are 292 gentlemen VINO
have an official right to inhale and exhale
within those walls, not counting clerks, pages,
doorkecpers, and other non-combataDts, nor
vet tho lords of the lobby. Mr.. Harrison OF
Illinois, albeit of the Democratic persuasion,
complained OF the daily crowd OF l0aierS IN
the gentlemen's gallery and MIR. Young pro-
posed the exclusion of everybody except news
paper reporters, end Ministers Plenipotentlary,
saving also those who came in on the cards OF
honorable members. Mr.. COngcr OF Michigan
was shocked at this anti-democratic proposition,
and sarcasticaly asked the Democrats il they
couldn't "forcc in q supply OF fresh ar under
"thc previous question or Ivy suspension OF
"the rules" Pretty good for Conger whether
from the effect of the air itself, or from some
other reason, the House could do nothing WIN
tho matter but send il back to the Committee,
again TO be grappled with and reported on.
The Representatives seem to be no nearer
supply of something good to breathe than be-
fore.
We should be sorry to have lt determined
that only about 30S free and enlightened in
habitants Of the Republic can safely bc admit
ted to listen TO the wit, wisdom, and eoquence oil
their Representatives. If we estimate that hall OF
these will usually be women, and one-quarter
of them boys in their homage, we have only
II probable voters who can DO nurtured IN
citizenship by the proceedings. Again. reckon
ing that one-haf OF these belong to the Dis
trict of Columbia and cannot vote for Presi-
dent, we have only 3Sl2 voters for the Union
in general and if we finally presume that half
OF these will be obliged to go out on account OF the
smells before the conclusion Of n long, hot,
and heavy debate, there will only be l9i4
voters remaining to be edited by the hunor
Of Mr.. Cox, and invigorat,d by the sarcasm OF
Mr. Blaine, while even from this small number,
so far a. citizenship is concerned. must be de-
Quoted all the ENJOYS Extraordinary, Sccreta-
rics Of Legation, and other diplomatic digni-
taries who may chance 10 he present This
will reduce the audience of tho Free and En-
lightened voters TO something like o. The
House might rs well turn out all strangers"
lock tho doors, and go permanently into secret
session.
We confess that we are for that publicity OF
debate which is most german to our In'titu-
,ions. Every we'll behaved person who desires
To listen 10 the speeches should havo chance.
Rather than resort to these cryptical expcdlents
which SAVIOR of Privy Councils and Star Cham
beers, it would he better to knock large hole
IN tho roof. or to supply scmi-asphy xiatcd
members with fresh ar in badders. We assure
Mr. IIoar that we do not desire the death OF
any Representative but we look with some
alarm upon this proposal TO clear tho galleries
for il admission is To bo had only 10y ticket,
either party with "a little iincsse will lie able
To pack the galleries with its particular friends;
while upon great occasions the doors might be
haunted by spectators selling reserved seats "
either for the benefit Of members or for their
own If tho Hall be hopelessly Black Hole,
tho sooner the House cvacuates it for good
and all the better. We would Greet u new
Capitol rather than see through our scalding
tears one brilliant delegation after another
casping on the floor in the article Ut death.
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Il it possible that there is another trading Govern
HI. a O.,