The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-12-19
Crisp and Reed.

WASHINGTON. ID. G., Dec. 1.-The
long and close contest for the speak
er's chair and the issue involved has
drawn the attention of the country to
its present occupant in perhaps Il
larger degree than ever before in the
history of the house. No one has
found anything TO say against the fit
ness of the selection, except from Il
partisan standpoint. just now remIn-
-iscences of Mr.. Crisp's career in past
congresses are on many tongues. One,
written by Mr.. Amos Cummings, of
New York, who served in the Fifty
second Congress, shows the character
istics of the new speaker in very
forcible way. The scene occurred on
the floor of the last house, when Tom
Reed was in the chair and Crisp was q
member of the committee on elections.
1t was in the desnerate fight attend
ing the placing of ,'ohn NJ. Langston
in the seat of Edward G.. Venerable.
While the house was in call the speak
er ascertained that Il quorum was
present and ordered the clerk to call
the roll upon the approval of the
Journal The Reed rules provided
that while the house was in call only
two motions were in order. One was
a motion to adjourn and the other to
dispense with fnrther proceedings
under the call Mr. Crisp raised H
point of order and called the speaker
attention to the plain wording of the
rule. Caught dead to rights Reed was
on fire in Il moment. He tried TO bull
doze the Georgian and awakened the
true Georgia grit.
1.-The clerk can read the journal
without objection" said the man from
Maine.
sI object" said Mr.. Crisp; "sucl
action is unprecedented. Such Il sug,
gestion has never been made in the
history of congress.
"Well," replied the speaker will
some acerbity. ''It's time that it was
made"
At this the republicans raised {
shout of encouragement. Crisp re.
mained standing re"fectly imperturba,
BILE until the tumuIt had subsidized.
"That is the Judgment of the chair
he then replied. "The chair is not
the master of the house, but its
servant. He must obey its order"
Reed was white with rage. Demo
Gratis broke into applause in their turr
and the republicans cried for the regu
lar order.
"The gentleman from Georgia neet
not recommence, the speaker threat
eningly observed as soon as quiet wa'
restored.
With great dignity Mr.. Crisp re
piled:
1.-The gentleman will insist upon hi.
rights. No tyrant can take them from
him."
AT this the republicans fairly scream
ed for the regular order. Mr.. Rowell
chairman of the committee on elec
ions, obtained recognition.
81 make the point of ORDER" Ii,
shouted, ssthat the remarks of th'
gentleman from Georgia are out o
order
"No more 50 than the remarks 0
the speaker Crisp calmly replied.
This remark touched the Car like
hot iron. His eyes flashed, his cheek
flushed, and he brought his gavel dow
with double-fold vengeance.
"The gentleman from Georgia vii
take his seat he roared.
Crisp remained as calm as Ma.
morning. Unlike many of his col
leagues when suffering from simila
tyrannical outbursts, he recognized tn
amenities of the situation.
.'Certainly the gentleman from
Georgia will take his seat" he replie,
with perfect composure, ''but he viii
rise, resent and reply to any simila
intimation from the chair here or else
where"
He took his seat but carried hl
point. A Wisconsin republican pulle
the speaker out of the mud by movin,
to dispense with all further proceed
ings under the call. This was carried
and the house again got down to it
party business.