The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-07
PUa N THE HOUSE.
A Session Saturday Night that Was
''Bstter'n CtFeus.H

"BstteF'n a Circus"
The night session Of the House Of Dele |
gates Saturday was, under the resolution
offered by Mr.. Hubbard and adopted in
the forenoon, devoted to the third read
ing ogbllls alone. That Is, that was the
only business transacted. But there were
other proceedings which have seldom
been equAllsd and never exCsllsd" in q
legislative body, not even at night ses-
sion Of the National House OF Representa-
tiyes. Things proceeded, but short time
when there was an effort to take q vote,
but It was ruled that this could not be done
under the resolution governing the session.
The Clerk proceeded 10 read the Military
bill TO the handful OF members present,
but all were restless, and seemed 10 be
anxious to find vent for their repressed
energy.
The vent was found when Speaker
Wilson called Mr.. Dodrill to the Chair,
and went into the clerks private room to
take smoke. CresSp, OF Randolph, with
mischief in his eye, moved to adjourn.
This Mr.. Dodrill ruled out OF order under
the resolution, which named 10 80 O'Clock
as the hour Of adjournment. Cresap
claimed that motion TO adjourn was
always in order, but the Chair paid no at,
tention TO the remark, and Clerk Psyton
continued his reading as well as his incl.
nation to laugh would permit, Every.
body laughed, and there werea number oil
motions made, but the gentleman in the
Chair paid mo- further attention than to
rap so vigorously for order that the very
lamps rang in echo to the stroke OF the
gRvel. In the midst OF the confusion
Uresap vociierouSly insisted upon his mo-
ton 10 adjourn, and upon the motion Mr..
Leonard demanded the ayes and noes.
Paying no attention 10 this latter demand,
the Chair put the motion, and though no
one could distinguish whether the ayes or
noes were most numerous, as most OF the
members and many outaiders voted both
ways, promptly declared 1t lost, Calls for
a division were made, to which the Chair
responded:
"You can't have no division! The
Chair has decided the question"
The motion, to adjourn was at once re-
peated and entertained, In spite OF tim
idly expressed hope on the part OF Mr.
Mcneil that the Chair would rule 1t out Of
order, II was again declared defeated,
Mr.. CresaP; "lappeal from the decision
Of the CHAIR"
Mr.. Dodrill: "The Chair doesn't allow
you to appeal !"
This was followed by screams oil convul
sive laughter, and the member from Ran
dolph retired TO convenient Cloak.room
to roll ON sofa and hold his aching sides
Speaker Wilson viewed the fracaa from the
Clerks room, as we'll as he could view any
thing through the tears Of laughter which
suffused his eyes.
Judge Ferguson was heard to say en-
couragingly In response to the prohibition
OF the chair concerning appeals, "That'l
right Stick to i'll"
When the paroxysmS oil mirth had
somewhat subsidized, Mr.. Cox, apparently
In good faith, moved to adjourn. The
question was put, another demand for the
} asyes and noes being disposed by the per
emptory exclamation, "Fhe chair over
rules that"
"But, sir" said Mr.. Leonard, ~ appeal
from the decision Of the chair"
1.-THE chair overrules that, too" re-
sponded Mr.. podrill, amid renewed peala
Of laughter.
The motion 10 I'D ourn was scarcely de-
Clared lost till 1t was repeated from the
other side OF the House. That 10 out OIL
order" said the chair.
"a motion to adjourn is always In or
der" said q member.
"Not while I'm In the chair!"
A perfect yell Of laughter greeted this
remark, the CHAIR meanwhile pounding
vigorously for order,
Mr., Sesbright raised the point mo quo
rum," to which the Chair responded
"That's all right"
Speaker Wilson, thinking there had
been fun enough for one night, here re-
aumed the chair. Seabright demanded O
call Of the House, and 1t was ordered,
revealing that there were Just twenty.
eight members present. At this point
lodge Ferguson remarked that he was too
unwell to stay there all night 10 indulge in
child's play, and moved to adjourn. The
Speaker said therp WIS no method under
the rules for the Speaker to compel the
attendance Of absentees. It could only be
done by the action Of the House. Less
than o quorum could adjourn Of any time.
He therefore entertained Judge Ferguson'a
motion, and II was put aud carried.
After adjournment member congratu.
lated Dodrill on the ylgor and ability he
had eyinCed as q presiding officer. "Oh,"
ssid he, "the boys can't get away with me
! was on the bphCh four year.N
The scenes reminded one OF o night
session OF the House In 10, when q call
was had. II is probable II night sessions
continue they will be about like these.