Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1884-09-30
THEY LOVED SLEEP.
The Weary Congressman Who Were Dragged
from Their Beds at Midnight.

At early dawn on the 1st of March,
1887, the house adjourned, after an
all-night wrangle on an amendment
proposed to the civil appropriation bill,
providing for a minister to Texas, and
thus virtually recognizing the inde-
pendence of that revolted province of
Mexico. Between II o'clock and mid
night that ominous cry of mo
quorum" was heard. mo quorumr'
And then came call of the house,
cries for an adjournment, demands for
"call," suspension of the call"
ayes and noes, the speaker, confusion, D,
and so on. A call of the house was at
last agreed upon, and the sergeant-at-
arms was sent with his posse over the
city of distances so magnificent to
knock at doors and ring at bells, and
TO arouse out members from their beds.
The night was stormy, snow and sleet
were falling, and the members, like
very sensible men, were loath 20 come.
All the night thus the sergeant-at-
arms was patrolling the city himself,
or his posse of boys, disturbing the
public peace and alarming many a
great man in his bed. A few sleepy
squadrons every now and then he
would gather up into the house, whom
he led in and paraded at the bar
whose excuses for absence the house
was ready to hear. Mr.. McComas, OF
Virginia, said he thought the house
would be occupied with speeches al
night, and that being fond of sleep
sleep is a great invention, Sancho
Panza said-he had gone home
Among "the culprits" thus arranged
was no less a parsonage than the
great Tecumseh-killer, the about-tO-be
vice president of the United States
''Well, what have you to say, Rich
mond M. Johnson, for yourselfP" 81
have been in the public service" sale
the gallant colonel, ''for thirty years
and seldom or never have | been alb
sent from my post. But being called
by the people to high and important
office, | thought | might take the lib
erty of preparing myself to fill it.
''EXclse him." moved his rival, Mr.
Granger, "Oh, do let us excuse him il
consideration of his services" and by
the majority Of "a single vote (ayes 40
nays 48) the colonel was saved the
fine, S2-fOr the sergeant-at-arms il
was-and the record of the disgrace
upon the books of the clerk of the
house. About twenty-three member,
were found, of whom some that haC
"colds," some that were rheumatic, >
and others that were willing to tel
fibs, were excused. but about fifteer
were fined the 81 apiece. The secre
tarv returned that many could not be-
! found, that others could not be walked
but of those thus returned non sun
inUenh at their lodgings, there was ;
good lump absent. This farce o.
bringing members out of their bed.
lasted till between 5 and o'clock il
the morning, when, quorum beine
found, the amendment was put, anC
was rejected in the house by a yer,
large vote. 1t was a curious fact a.
indicating the industry and attention
of remarkable man, that j. Q. Adams
was seen going home in the dawn o
the morning, having kept his seat al
night, old as he was, awaiting ant
watching all the doings of the house
What rendered this fact more curious
was that there was little party at hi
house the same night, where wer,
assembled with their parents man,
little girls, the companions of hi
grandchildren. to an evenings dance
in whose sports, it was said, he alway
entered heartily, enjoying all thei
gambols eversomuch; but neither chill
dren or friends could draw the veteran
from his seat.-Ben: Pcrley POore.
Scandal i'm the CamnaiOn