The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-12
TIE 18TH CONGRESS.
Scenes al The " WiRd-Up"---WOrk Of
the Session.
conrApE nAKrR,s nomnsHrrr.

York quiet unobtrusive Republican Member
OF the House. lie is an old soldier and Grand
Army man lie is over six feet high, Of mas
sive build with head that is big and round
and bald. lie looks more like a Bishop
than a Congressman. Baker has not made any
fuss ion Congress until when he threw the
Democratic side Of the house into a great fer
mcmt. The States were being called and when
New York was reached Mr. Baker arose and
held up a paper A nimbe page ran to"him
and bore 10 the desk what endorsed a
"ros0lution" I. was closely written on yellow
paper and covered six or seven large pages.
Nobody WAS expecting anything OF particular
interest, and the members were reading, writ
ing chatting and lolliug in their seats The
reading clerk had not finished the first of The
numerous "Mhereases" until there was a uni
Versal pricbing up of ears. BY the time the
end of the second paragraph was reached all
were agOg il WAS a Volumlnous document,
containing 500 words. in a sarcastic vein,
and snnder the title a resolution of recapltu-
lation, accommodation, modest laudation
and hearty congTatulation," the writer gave an
inventory OF the sins OF omission and COM
mission OF the Democratic majority in the
House.
When the reading began Mr.. Townshend, of
Illinois was in the chair as Speaker pro tenn
pore. The reading clerk had not reached the
loot of the FIRST page when Mr.. Reagan, Of
Texas. arose and in an excited manner raised
the point of order that the paper was not
resolution appcrtaining 10 the business OF the
House but a stump speech. Mr.. gownshend
said he had not heard enough of il yet 10 be
able 10 tell what il was, aud directed the clerk
10 proceed. Three minutes later feeling the
knife being turned in the Democratic vitals,
Reagan got up and wildly demanded that the
reading cease The weather began 10 look
Equally The rapid fall OF the barometer indi-
Gated a storm, and Speaker Carlisle thought he
had better take the wheel and did SO.
Mr.. Randall arose aud renewed the point Of
order declaring that the matter neither
decent nor respectful, and should be ruled out.
"Let me look at it." said MIR. Carlisle, and
the reading clerk handed him the well-filled
pages Mr. Carlisle saddled his glasses upon
his nose and scanned the sheets for minute or
two, while all the eyes of the House were focused
upon him. The most of H." he said, appears
10 bea preamble [great laughter, but / see there
are some resolutions at the end and think the
clerk may read il all"
The clerk did read IT, bat was often inter
rupied By applause aud laughter on the Repub-
lioan side and ieers and groans from the Demo
Gratis. As soon as the reading was flashed Mr..
Randall IN tones bctraying much irritation,
moved that the paper be referred back TO the
gentleman who had offered il. lie repeated
that il was not decent but was an insult to the
House. Mr.. Baker said he thought il had bet
Ter be referred TO the Steering Committee"
Mr.. Springer moved that il be sent TO the Com
mittee ON Ventilation and Acoustics
Mr.. Bayne said he had listened very atten-
lively TO the reading of the preamble and reso-
buttons, and he was prepared TO affirm that
every word in them was true Mr.. Randall,
with great warmth, declared that the whole
proceeding was without precedent In all his
long experience in Congress he had never seen
anything like II, and lac hoped he never would
again.
Mr. Baker said that his only object in draw
ing up the paper was TO relieve his Democratic
friends of the labor Of preparing a resume of
their achievements 10 present TO the people of
the country. lie was sorry to see his honOred
friend from Pennsylvania SO deeply grieyed
over the matter.
"You ought TO feel worse about il than any
one else" said Mr.. Randall
MT. Baker asked consent TO withdraw the
resolutions. but there was a chorus Of noes from
the Democrats, who wanted TO fling them back
In his face Mr. Reed took a hand in the fight
in his usual sarcastic style, applying the lash
On a way that caused general squirting on the
other side. For 10 minutes il was free fight,
the leading combatants being Reed, Bayne,
Randall, Reagan aud Springer. There was
some sharp sDarring amidst laughter, applause,
jeers, Proans and nproarious tumut. On the
vote 10 return the incendiary document 10 the
author a division was demanded. The motion
was carried, of course every Democrat spring
ing 10 his feet with alacriiy when the yeas
were called for.
IL seems 20 have one good effect" said Mr.
Reed, with quiet chnckle I" it is the first time
have seen the Democrats united on anything
during this session"
THE LAST DAY.
The first session Of the d9th Congress ended
Thursday afternoon AT O'clock In the House
the early scenes OF the day were a good deal
like the sudden breaking up Of hard Winter,
stormy and turbulent. They were IN marked
contrast with those in the Senate where there
was scarcely ripple 10 disturb the placid low
of the proceedings. Soon after the reading Of
the Journal, Mr.. Pruden appeared at the door
OF the House, bearing a message from the
President. II conveyed the intelligence that
ali were 80 anxiously awaiting that the Pres-
dent had approved the Sundry Civil Deficiency
and River and Harbor Appropriation Bills.
Many grave doubts had been felt concerning
the fate Of the latter and the announcement
was greeted with loud applause. 1t settled the
question Of adjournment.
MR. BAKERS VICTORY
Mr. Baker, Of New York, who raised the riot
IN the House on Monday, got the bulge" on
thc Democrats Ia very decided manner Ris-
ing TO question Of privilege be said certain
preamble and resolution offered by him on
Monday last We're returned 10 him by vote Of
the House and were excluded from the Record.
The debate was published however, and the
paper was therein characterized by the gentle
man from Pennsylvania Mr.. Randal) aud the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reagan as dsre-
epeciiul and Indecent In order that il might be
fairly Judged whether Il was Of such character
as TO justify these criticisms he asked unanimous
consent tfHt it be printed IN the Record. Mum
oG3us objections were made on the Democratic
side. Mr. Springer asked consent 10 eXpungt
from the Rec0Jd all reference TO the subject but
this was objected 20 the Republican side
Mr. Baker then asked that the matter bc again
read by The clerk and printed as part OF hi.
remarks NJ Springer made the point Of order
that this eonld not Dc done, as IL had boon al
ready rejected by vote or the House.
Speaker Carlisle Oycrrulcd the point Of order
citing similar case in the 4sth Congress and
directing tiW eleri, 10 read. The Democrat,
cOnispned % raise objections and pointsof order
IN the midst OF great disorder Hall OF "a,
members were gathered ia front Of the Speak
er's desk
Mr. Baker stood calm and d ,termined. insist
ing that The reading ahoulg proceed, aud b.,
was sustained at every point by the Speaker
AZ length the Clerk began, but when he hac
finished one Oi the seven large pages Mr. Bland
OF Missouri, renewed his point OF order. i
was OYcrIncd and Bland appealed from the de
cison. motion was made on the Democratic
side 20 lay the appeal the table and on
rising vote there were On this motion yeas ll9
nHys4 q. Bland made the point Of no quorum
and Bland and Baker were appointed tellers
Bland was much out OF temper that ne de
Clined 90 shake hands with Baker as they tool