National Republican., 1883-03-21
JOIN RANDOLPH IN coNenrss.
Bent Pcrley Poore's Recollections OF tins
Statesman from Roanoke.

Statesman from Roanoke.
Ben Perley Poore contributes to the April
Century an anecdotal, richly illustrated, paper
on "The Capitol at Washington" in which
he says: The dcspot of the debates for many
| years was the eccentric John Randolph who
would ride on horseback from his lodgings in
| Georgetown to the capitol and enter the
/ house, wearing fur cap with large visor,
heavy groatcoat over u suit Of Virginia
| hOmcspun, and wlite-topped boots with
( iingling silver spurs. Striding down the
main aisle. followed by his brace
of pointer-dogs, he would stop before his
desk, upon which he would deliberately place
his cap, his gloves and his riding whip LISTEN
ing meanwhile to the debate. IL he took any
interest in it, he would begin TO speak at the
first opportunity, without any regard to what
had previously been said. After he had ut
tered few sentences (and had drunk glass
of porter, which an assistant doorkeeper had
orders to bring whenever he rose
TO speak, his tall, meager form would
writhe with passion his long, bony
index finger would be pointed at those on
whom he poured his wrath and the
expression Of his beardless, high-cheelSed, and
sallow countenance would give additional
force TO the brilliant and beautiful sentences
which he would rapidly utter, full Of singing
witticisms and angry sarcasm. So distinct
was his enunciation that his shrill voice
could be heard in every part of the hall his
words were select and strictly grammatical,
and tho arrangement Of his remarks was al
ways harmonious and effective.
Randolph, having had dinner table diff
ficulty with Willis Alston, of North Carolina,
never let pass an opportunity for Glludng to
him in the most bitter and contemptuous
manner. Alston, enraged one day by some
language used by Randolph in debate, said,
as the representatives were leaving the hall,
and Randolph was passing him. The puppy
has still some respect shown him." Whether
the alluson referred to Randolph or to one
of his pointer dogs, which was following him,
was afterward a question, but Randolph i'm
mediatcly began beating Alston over tho
head with the handle of his heavy riding
whip, inficting several wounds. The next
day the grand jury, which was in session, in-
diCted Randolph for u breach of tho peace,
but the court allowed him to offer the re-
mark about the puppy as evidence in extern
uation, and inflicted u fine of 500.
During the debate on the Missouri question
Mr.. Philemon Beecher, q native of Connecti-
cut, who had emigrated to Ohio and had there
been elected representative became some
what impatient as his dinner hour ap-
preached, and at last, when Randolph made
a somewhat lengthy pause, moved "the pre-
vious question" The speaker said, ",rhe
gentleman from Virginia has the floor" and
Randolph proceeded, to be again interrupted,
when he paused again TO collect his thoughts,
by a demand for the previous question !"
nor was it long before the demand was made
for the third time. Randolph could stand it
no longer, but said, in voice as shrill as the
cry of peacock: Mr.. Speaker, in the
Netherlands, man Of small capacity, with
bits of wood and leather, will, in few
moments, construct that which, with the pres
sure of the finger and thumb, will cry Cuckoo!
cuckool' = With less ingenuity and with in
ferior materials, the people Of Ohio have made
fnxrl hat will rutNh ttrh
Previous question! previous question p"
and, as he spoke, Randolph pointed with his
atteluated index finger at Beecher, who did
not attempt n reply"