The sun., 1884-02-24
TIE SpEiKER's EYE
pihicuitics In Catching tt-Tho Advantage
of Catching tho speaker,s Enr.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-AIuch depends on
catching the Speakers eye. 1t looks rs though
II would be easy for any member to attract tho
attention OF tho Speaker OF the House OF Repre-.
sen'ativos, and that the Speaker would havo
no difficulty in recognizing a member. particu-
lar,y IL he stood directly before him. shouting
loud enough to he heard in any quarter OF tho
chamber and gesticuaing ne though he was
trying 70 stop an express train. Strange rs it
may appear. a member in n remote part Of tho
House with q feeble voice sometimes catches
the Speakers eye. notwithstanding dozen
others ncar tho Speaker arc shouting and
gesticulating wildly and doing their utmost TO
attract his attention. Tho recognition IL
usually made under an agreement with tho
Speaker. made. perhaps, days before The
favored member has bill In which there may
be millions or not; but reasons there are why
he shall have the iloor at n particular time: lis
asks especially In the closing hours of tho
session. for unanimous consent TO call M tho
bill and nut II on its ilnal passage. Amid tho
rush aud rumnus members are generally
vi %i'lng to hays ihis done. as tends 10 create
Of the most important and tho worst legislation
takes place.
At tho close Of the las, session Of Congress
tho promoters Of the Whstey bill had thus ar
ranged for its passage. All was confusion. It
recognizes Proctor Knott one VI n hundred
seeking to catch his eye. But REPRESENTATIVE
John White was on watch for the game. lie
caught tho Speakers ear at the right moment
and pterr9sed the fatal objection. The game
The game depending on catching the Speak
cr's eye fails sometimes because somo mem
bor is watrhiul and udroit enough TO catch his
ear Mt the right instant with nm objection. MIR.
Holman has performed many fea,s of tho
kind. and done the country great service.
Though more extensively practiscd than
formerly former the prearraneement plan for putting
bills through is not wholly new A gentleman
was near tho close Of The session. The iiouss
Il
as usual in eonason Member iS Gs' in " scSrs wa
were frying to catch the Speakers olo for tho
! his best and nothing was being done. Our
veteran rccollector Who had tho privilege OF
ls 9"r ms, n TOT the o e9rd9r an m Iii TIor Ter
which he had labored tho entire session. II
had passed tho SENATE. was not specially op-
Il will give You so much" naming round
sum even for these days. II YOU Will get my
The gentleman addressed returned to the
House. where the confusion was moncntarily
deeEening Seemingly every member was on
| the floor trying to catch the Speakers eye.
hi aa far Whit SnIh member OF rr'minnnesS m ns ma
att"mpt., would get the Speaker TO reeog-
Z" Wait moment and yon shall be gratifed."
n hS hand of the s member
ask unanimous consent that the bill num-
|
worthy bill. We ought to pass it,
.,o There being M no objection the motion is car
| the yeas and nays"
=, The rules were little different from what
they are now. The roll was called and the bill
passed. Going outside. the promoter met his
anxious friend. who was wholly ignorant Of
what had been going on. Your bill is through
and the work is done"
J., Meet mo at Corcoran Riggs,s banking
| house tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock and
will give you the promised Fee"
The summons was kent and the money paid.
| After Congress adjourned the promoter meet
ing the eye catching member. said: How did
| 1t happen that you caught tho Speakers eye
when so many others were vainy trying?"
had arranged for it days before. but tho
| intended business having been intrusted to
another. who was, ,thon trying to have tho
| Speaker recognize him. and failing every tine
| / just wished l had chance to show those
who took the business. from my hands what n
mistake they had made. but ] had no bill to do
it with. If did you any good am glad You
| must have an understanding with the Speaker
IN order to catch his eye when everybody is try
ing TO do it,"
It is Interesting to note who the successful
members are in this line 1t can never be
more SO than 1t will be as the present session
draws to close.