The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-05-09
John Randolph in Congress-.

John Randolph in Congress
The despot oflhe debates for many
years was the eccentric John Ran
Iolph, who would ride on horseback
from his lodgings in Georgetown to
the Capitol and enter the House,
wearing fur cap with large visor,
Il hcSTy great,coa. over suit of Nir
ginia homespun, and white.iopped
BOOTS with jingling silver spurs.
Stridiug down the main aisle, follow
cd by his brace of pointer.dogs, he
would stop betorchis desk, upon which
he would deliberately place his cap,
his gloves, aud his riding-whip, listen
ing meanwhile to tho debate. If he
took any interest in it, he would begin
to speak at the first opportunity, with
out any regard TO what had previous
Is been said After he had uttered
a few sentences land had drunkaglass
Of porter, which IA assistant door
keeper had orders to bring Whenever
he rose to speak,, his talIp mpager
RIM would wri~ With pas,il III his
long bony index fingerwould lie point,
ed ut those on whom he poured his
wrath; and the expression Of his
bcarlle.s, high-cheeked, and sa!low
countenance would give add ioDal
force to the brilliant ard beautiful
sentences which lie would rapidly
utter, full Of singing witticisms and
angry sarcasm. So distinct was his
enuuciution, that his shrill voice could
be heard in every part OF the hall; his
words were select and strictly gram
matical, and the arrangement ofahis
remarks was always harmonious and
effective.
1 Randolph, having had a dinner.
table difficulty with Willis Aston, OF
i North Carolina, never let pass an
opportunify'for abiding 70 him II Tic
J., most bitter and coniemptu0us man
ner Aston, enraged one day by some
nyuago used by Randolph in debate,
IS / | rs the representatives, were leaving
t re hall. aud Randolph was passing
him: "The puppy has still some re-
spect shown him" Whether the
auusion referred to Randolph or IL
one Of his pointor-dogs, which was
following him, was f erwards a ques-
ton, but Randolph Immediately be
ar;n heating Alston over the head with
the handle Of his heavy riding whip
InlllcIiug several wounds, The next
day the Grand Jury, which was in
session, indicted Randolph FIR breach
, Of the peace, but the court allowed
him to offer the remark about the pup
l. Ply rs evidence in extenuation, anC
3, inflicted fine of twenty dollars.
During the debate ON the Missouri
question, Mr.. Philemon Beecher, Q
! native of Connecticut who had emf
! grated to Ohio, ard had there beer
!, { ected representative, became some
Il what inpatient as his dinner-houl
S approached and at last when Ran
6 dolph made somewhat length,
g pause, moved "lhe previous ques
: ton" The speaker said, 'the gentle
!. man from Virginia has the floor, anC
!, Randolph proceeded, to be again inter
r rupted when he paused to collect hi
t. thoughts, by a demand for "the pre-
c vious question; nor was itlong before
s the demand was, made for. the thirt
i time. Randolph could stand it II,
\, lopger, butsaid, ,in ,Eeiceasehrill-a,
3 the cry of q peacock: "Mr. Speak
is er, in the Netherlands, a man 0
1t small capacity, withlbits Of wood an,
r leather, will in a few moments con
c strnct that which with the pressur,
y of the finger and thumb, will or,
- Cuckoo cuckoo 7 With less. in
! genuity and'with inferior material
d the people of Ohio have madeA to,
!" that will, without much pressur
cry, Previous question breyiou
:. question:" and, as he spoke Ran
= e dolpA pointed with his alternate,
y index.hnger at Beecher, who did no
i attempt roply.-The Century.