The Press., 1891-03-12

MT. Reed is not the first speaker of the na-
 tional house of representatives refused 8
 unanimous vote of thanks by the members. Other instances are:
 Fifth congress. Dayton, of New
 Jersey, fedeFalist. Resolution of thanks car ried dibya vote of 70 to 22.
 Sixth congress-. Theodore Sedgwick, of
 Massachusetts, federalist eYes and nays or vote of 40 to 35. Opposition urged ''impro- prieties" in conduct of chair.
 Tenth congrees.-Joseph Varnum, of Mas sachusetts, democrat Yeas and nays order ed on motion to pass resolution, and resolu- ton was carried, 6s to g.
 Thirteenth congress. Clay, of Ken lucky, whig. Upon Clay's resignation as speaker, division was taken on resolution of thanks, which was carried IA to 9. Twentieth congress. Stevenson, of Virginia, democrat. At end of first ses- sion, resolution of thanks bitterly resisted, and passed only after five votes on motions obviously intended for dilatory purposes. Confusion in hall 30 great at one time, that the reporter could not hear the speaker. Resolution adopted by III to 2s. At the end
 of the second session the resolution was car ried, 94 to 57, after debate.
 Twenty. fifth congress. s.-James K. Polk, of Tennessee, democrat Bitter opposition; yeas and nays taken on previous question, which was carried, 92 to 75. Yeas and nays then taken on adoption of resolution, which was carried, 94 to 3S7. Grounds of opposition alleged partiality and partisanship of speak CT.
 Twenty-seventh congress-John White, of Kentucky, whig. Charles Brown and Pick ems led long debate in opposition. Pre- vious question ordered, 69 to 58. Resolution eafried 141 k<. IT.
 Thirtieth congress-Robt 0. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, whig. MT. John, of Tennes- see, moved to strike out word simpartiap from resolution, but was defeated; yeas, 15; nays, 161. The resolution was then adopted. Thirty second and thirty-third congresses. Linn Boyd, of Kentucky, democrat. Op- position to resolution at end of each congress. Record of votes not given.
 Thirty fourth congress. ss.-Nathan'lP Banks, of Massachusetts, republican. Opposition led by MT. Barksdale, of Mississippi, and oth- CTS. Attempt to lay on table defeated and previous question ordered. Resolution pass ed on yea and nay vote, 119 to 35. Mir. Barksdale objected to part of resolution re- lating to ''impartiality."
 Thirty fifth congress. James l.. Orr, of South Carolina, democrat. Previous question ordered and resolution adopted, 12O to 92.
 Thirty sixth congress. William Penning- Cou, VI NoW SoaSoy, 1oPuoAcoA' 41oV1Ous question ordered and debate choked of. Di- vision not recorded. A motion to reconsider made and laid on tho table.
 Thoughtful critics of public affairs are giving the last congress more credit for passing the copyright bill than for any other one matter which it treated and Senator Platt and MT. Simonds are coming in for their share of just praise as the men who decided the fate of this very import ant measure at the eleventh hour, by, un- selfish and almost heroic efforts against great and discouraging odds. Hon. Theo. dore Roosevelt, in his speech at the federal club dinner in New York the other even- ing, pays particular tribute to Messrs.
 PIatt and Simonds, mentioning them first in the list of gallant guardians of copyright in the senate and house.