The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-16

speaker crosses his hands upon the handle
of the 6avel and looks steadfastly at the
house for several seconds. Many member
arise, while others place their hands before
their eyes. All assume a devout attitude.
The speaker then says, in a low. clear tone,
his head. When the prayer is concluded,
the journal is read and the house is ready
for business.
The mace remains upon it's pedestal until
the house goes into committee of the
whole. Then it 10 lowered and remains
lowered till the committee rises. Notwith-
standing its prominence and significance,
the house of representatives without
more likely to happen if the member
sat on 1.-THE republican side of the
chamber. There the speakers desk hides
it from view. But let a storm arise; let the
pulses OF the members be quickened with
passion and hot words be uttered; let
clenched fists be shaken and members rush
toward the main aisle in rage and fury. and
the mace will appear. It will be born aloft
msjesticaIly over the area in front Of the
speakers desk. up the main aisle and down
the side aisles. calming the tempest, cool
ing the disputants, calling the hOuse to its
sober self and causing member to resume
their seats. They recognize its significance
~ a symbol, and submit to the authority
which it represents. 1t has been used for
this purpose Eve times since the opening of
the Fifty first congress. It was carried
q tho house twice in the Fiftieth o
gress.
The first tims that it was used in the
present congress was when the democratic
members made the fight against the
speakers assumption to count a Quorum
under what he called general parliamentary
law. None who Witnessed it will ever for
get the scene. 1t came when the attempt
to unseat Judge Jackson of West Virginia
was made. The galleries were packed and
the whole house was in an uproar. Even so
careful . man as John q. Carlisle becams
excited and rushed down a side aisle de-
manding recognition. Mills, Breckenridge,
McsiillIn, Crisp, Bland and other demo-
cratic leaders were clamoring to be heard,
while Mckinley. Grosyenor. RoweIl, Cannon
and other republicans we're claiming the
floor and shouting regular order" Out OF
the chaos strobe tall Bynum down to the
front desks, and with powerful lungs, gave
the speaker an excoriaticn that sounded
like the peal of a trumpet in the noise of
battle. The galleries joined in the uproar.
Vainly the spesker tried to bring the house
TO order. Then the mace WAS brought out.
II WAS supposed at first that the sergeant
alarms intended to arrest Mr. Bynum, A
brawny son Of Illinois stood At Bynun's
side, prepared to resist the attempt, il il
was made. The mace. however. was car
ried mp the main aisle and in the side aisIes
where turbulent knots of men we're gath
erod. IL came like oil upon troubled
waters. The tempest subsided as quickly
IS il had arisen. Members recognised ifs
significance and dropped into their seats az
If pstrifed. Thcrc were turbulent scenes
afterward, but none rs turbulent AZ the ons
thnt had been quciIed. This was on Jan 81.
On May II the mace was again brought
into play. II was on the day that Bvnum
was censured by the house. The excite
ment arose while the house was in commit
tee OF the Who'll upon the Mckinley bill.
General Grosyenoi, of Ohio. WAS in the
chair. There was q bitter personal collie
guy between Bynum and Bnyne. of Perm.
syfvania. concerning the character of one
Campbell, q glass manufacturer of Pitts
burg. The confusion was terrible. Three-
quarters OF the member were upon their
feet applauding and shouting. The tumuif
reached its height when Bynum denounced
Campbell as a liar and perjurer. and said
that he had ~ great conf ence in his char
actsr as he had in the character of General
Bsyne. General Cutcheon demanded that
the words be taken down. and the
confusion became 10 great that the
house looked like . mob around an
election board. Fists we're clsnched. and
everything indicated . FREQ fight. Again
Deputy sergeans-st- Arms Tom Csvsnagh
appeared With this mace. The disputants
were boiling over with rage. but thew
dropped into their seats and tho house he
came 80 still that tbs whispers in the gal
ieries could be heard. Bynun was CEN
sured late nj night, standing in the speak-
er's arena surrounded by his democratic
associates. Who refused to 20 to their seats
when ordered 70 do 50 by the spcaher.
hesd' Instead OF ordering out the mace,