Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-18
a Scene in the House.

The Washington correspondent Of tho Bali.
more Sun says: One Of the disorderIy and 6is.
graceful scenes for which the Hnusc of Reprc.
6entatives is famous, and specially 10 the last
hours OF the session, occurred to. hight on the
fisheries award BILL 1t had been ascertaiued
that if an attempt was made to take up the
Senate bill parliamentary or octions fatal to It's
consideration would be raised. Acting, there
FORE under the advice OF Speaker Randall Mr.,
Grape reported from the committee co foreign
affairs bill to pay tho award, identical 10 text
with the Senate bill. and moved to suspend the
rules and pass the bill. Immediately the wild
est confusion prevailed, started and kept up by
minority small in numbers but immense in
wind power, led by Ben. Butler, Waddcll and
Cox. The object was TO prevent the passage ofthe
bill, although those engaged knew very well
that if they succeeded the result would be an
extra session Of Congress. 1t was understood
that some CT the gentlemen were sctusted by
personal motives. as they considered that the
Speaker had acted unfairly it smothering mea.
sures in which they were interested, and
which they held were entitled to precedence.
Others, OF course, Wcrc opposed TO the bill on
| its merits. The disorder and obstruction of the
! business continued for some time, the Speskc:
pounding his gravel in vain. The members
| crowded around the space in front of the
| Speakers desk, gestlculating snd branishing
| their arms, but all in apparent good humov
| Finally all became exhausted but Gen. Butler
lie continued to rave snd shout, shake his hesl
and point his finger, while the cries of order
| which csne IN stentorian tones from all over he
House completely drowned his voice. Sons.
more generous than others, at las! called ou:.
| "GiVo tho old man chance" and the Speaker
asked unanimous consent that tho gentemau
| from Massachusetts be allowed i've minutes
dozen members objected, bat still Mr.. Butler
continued in his violent pAntOmnc. The Speak.
| er's patience became exhausted. aal he request
| ed tho sergeant-at arms TO enforce order. The
| sergeant alarms walked up smiling and ru:
| his mouth to Gen. Buffers ear amid roars o.,
! laughter and clapping Of hands from all over
| the house. Gen. Butler sat down, but only fox
| q moment. to got his breath.
Mr.. S. S. Cox popped up in the interval and
| shook his fist at the Speaker and moved to
| adjourn. This was voted down viva vocc when
MI. Cox demanded telcrs. The count Of the
tellers disclosed ma ority against adjournment
Of nearly three ID one The question REQUIRED
then on the motion TO suspend the rules. and
Gen. Butler again took his feet and went through
| the same display as before. The Speaker had
| by his inccssant pounding broken n large hole in
his table, and his raps were much fainter.
| Several times he directed Gen. Butter to take
his scat, but without effect. when he once more
! ordered the sergehnt-st.arms TO Do his duty.
! Smiling, as before, and with his hands IN his
pocket tho sergeant-at-arms went to Gen. Butler,
who Immediately turned and injected into his
car what was supposed to be tha remark;
against the bill which the House refused to heir.
After some persuasion Gen. Butler took hia
| sost, and the scrgeant-ata ms remained by hi
side to keep him in order. The roll cal! Wa
then proceeded with and altvrit WAS wotl undcr
| way tho Speaker told the sergeant at.arpls thai
| he could leave Gen. Butler, and hn walked OF,
the members applaud. g. When tha result Wa
announced it was found to be l55 yeas and s.
nays, not a two.third vote SO III, bill WAS lost