The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-05
FUN IN THE HOUSE.
Mr. Byrd Presiding while senator Woods
Made speech.

An the business having beer 6ispoed Of
in the HOUSE Of Delegates yesterday about
I 80 O'Clock, it became evident that the
members were seeking some method 10 eli
iOy short season Of fun.
10 accomplish this a number Of them de-
tormincd % test The parliamentary powers
of the grey-bcardcd hum0rist of the House,
the Hon. John 4. Byrd. Of Bath county, 10y
placing him IN the chair
Mr. Byrd stOutly declined all induce
mcuts % take the chair al first, but Wnen
told how proud bis constituents would ieel
when they learned of their representative
filing the Speakers chair. he Yielded ana
with "a triumphant and scli-important ar
ascendcd The steps and loudly rapping his
raycl said In hrs characteristic manner
EVERY body sit down; the chair can't pre-
side IN so much confusion
several members at once tried 90 confuse
him and arose and in one voice shouted
"Mr. Speaker
"The Speaker can't recognize but one
man at once, ne shouted.
Mr. Hume. Of Alexandria. finally gained
the floor and offered "a resolution requiring
an bachelors 10 pay an extra tax in order
that money be realized 20 settle the STATE
debt
The Chair (prompted by speaker Card
wen. who stood on his right stated That
the resolution would take ifs regular course
be referred.
Mr. Hume moved that the resolution De
read and placed ON the calendar.
MIR HAY. 10 cOmpicate matters, arose %
pOint of order that the resolution take its
course according TO the decision of the
Chair.
The Chair stated. with decided emphasis.
that the point was we'll taken. Applause
Mr. Mason. of King George. wanted "a
hand I'm the fun, and arose 90 q point of
parliamentary enquiry. lie wished the
Chair 10 state what was the point Of order.
, Mr. Byrd: "The Chair don't exactly catch
the point himself" Laughter.
Mr. Mason arose % another point OF order.
Before ne could state his point the Chair
ruled that the point was not well taken.
Mr.. Mason insisted on his point of order.
Mr. Byrd replied: "Iho Chair has just
ruled that your point is not well taken. J
wish % say again that the gentleman is
without point Applause and continued
laughter.
While the House was thus diyerting IT,
self. the Senate was trying very hard 90 kiA
time. Presently word came as TO the COM
diti0n OF affairs in the lower branch, ana %
was al once resolved 90 take "a recess and
20 over.
The motion was made and carried that
the chair De vacated for five minutes.
MIR. Woods. who is % the Senate what Mr..
Byrd is 10 the House. was assigned his role
and the entire Senate began its solemn
march TO the House Of Delegates. Entering
they stood in the middle aisle, while Mr..
Woods notified the sergeant-at-Arms in the
usual way that he had communication 90
make.
Sergeant-at-Ams "Mr. Speaker mes
sage from the Senate"
Receive it," said the Chair.
All the members seemed % De nearly
bursting with suppressed laughter as Mr.
Woods, i'm q dignified manner, proceeded o.
state that he had been directed Dy the
President Of the Senate TO inform the
Speaker of the House Of the passage Of "a
resolution declaring that, inasmuch as the
House had chosen for lbs speaker farmer.
concerning whom the question had
been raised as 90 whether Dee knew 10 De-
was practical farmer, 10 was incNpedlcnt
for the General Assembly TO prolons It's
session.
The audience could no longer contain its
merriment. and broke forth into laughter
and applause.
Mr.. Byrd raped his gayel. and as he rose
20 speak everybody became STILL
1.-The Chair would say I'm reply an
swered Mr. Byrd. as he ir0wned 0mi-
uOusly over his speciacles. "tnat the oena-
tor is out of order; and further, that there is
nothing practical about the Senate
Great applause, and cries of Good for
YOU. Byrd THAT'S the time YOU nailed
him." and the Ike.
Mr.. Woods claimed that he was i'm order
lie also insisted that as a representative Of
the grandest body in the world-the Senate
of Nirginia-he was entitled 90 De treated
with s0urtesy and respect.
"The gentleman is out Of order" replied
the sturdy member from Bath, "and the
chair will teach The gentleman that there is
"a farmer in the chair that knows his busi-
ness"
But, Mr.. Speaker"
"The chair rules that YOU had better rule
Yourself back 90 your own house,
The Senate then retired, ana the House
continued 10 amuse itself until the hour Of
recess.