Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-11
When Congress Adjourned.
AN UNPRECEDENTED SCENE CONGRESSMAN
ARE BUT GRowN.UP CHILDREN.

AN UNPRECEDENTED SCENE CONGRESSMAN
ARE BUT eRowN.uP CHILDREN.
The scene enacted in the House of Repre-
sentatives when that body adjourned
sine die was one without a precedent, like
the rulings of its Speaker during the SEES
sion. The Washington correspondent of
the Bait. Sun says
As Mr.. Reed let fall the gavel for the last
time as Speaker of the Fifty fret Congress
a scene which battles description followed.
Republicans Oh The floor and in the gal
lsries shouted, app'auded, and ladies' waved
their haDdkerchiet5. Several of the mem
bers caught up bundles OF papers lying On
their desks and tossed them high into the
air. The democrats yelled back defsntly.
not in applause of the exSpeaker, but to
show their contempt for him and their icy
at being freed from his ''gag rule" For
over five minutes pandemonium reigned,
and members on both sides of the chamber
tried to Guido each other in their foolish
and sohoolboyish pranks. Hats were thrown
in the air, books and papers were thrown
around promiscuously, accompanied by
cheers aud applause. Representative Cole
man, of Louisiana, assisted by Meesrs.
Wade, of Missouri, Allen, of Michigan, and
Yardley, of Pennsylvania, who is not IN
like the pictures Of Bill Nye, led the re-
publicans in singing Tramp, tramp, tramp,
the boys are marching" to the intense de-
light OF the spectators in the galleries. On
the democratic side Messrs. Cowles, uf North
Carolina, Rogers of Kansas, and Others re-
sponded by singing "John Browns Body
At this stage in the proceedings the Cor
resp ondents in the press gallery joined in
the tnmult by singing in good form the
"Doxology," Listen to My Tale of VICE."
"Good bye, Poor Congressman" and several
other songs The doors were then thrown
open to the public, and the Fifty-frst Con-
gress was at an end.
THE AMERICAN czAR's METHODS.
Thus went out in disorder and disgrace
unparalleled House of Representatives
VIII ch, from beginning to end, has made
7. cord not akin to that of any other legis
i,iive body the world over. 1t was to be
anticipated that the insolence ard audacity
of Mr. Reed would be maintained to be last,
and therefore no astOnishulent is excited by
the brszsn assurance of his farewell, as he
surrendered the gave which will never again
| me into his bauds should be live o
thousand years. He professed to rely upon
the verdict of time for the vindication of
himself and his house. Mr. Reed is not a
| fool, and consequently be cannot be in earn
est in this, for be must be conscious that
time will only deepen public resentment and
indignation over the works OF which he
speaks. His boast that his methods have
been a long stride in the direction of re
sponsibe government is we'll met when the
slovenly array of slip-shod legislation of the
last two years is scanned. The driving
through measures imp lrtant and un:m
portant, without examination or debate,
has led to more errors in the laws than has
happened in the aggregate for fifty years
previously. 1t has constantly been found
necessary to correct these errors by sub
| seuuent resolutions, and the courts of the
United State will be busy for years to Come
10 the adjudication of disputed questions
growing out of this 'sbusness" system of
legislation. 1t is assured that the pellmell
style in which the natural work of weeks
has been crowded into the last three or
four days will result in al additional OPP
of b,undeis and errors of astounding
proportio. S. Both government nd people
will suffer by this. but no matter go the
minority can be trampled in the dust and
its voice effectually suited. MIR. Reed con.
Guided his remarkable address with thanks
to his ogn side Of the House for their sun
grudging'' and ''unfl nching" support. This
was another evidence of his assurance aud
bis insincerty. While be was uttering
these words he was perfectly conscious in
his own heart that he is thoroughly despis-
ed by many on the republican side that
times without number the support which
he has rallied to his Infamous proceedings
has come most grudgingly, and that scarce.
" one of his revolu ionary methods would
bavl received anything like the unanimous
approval vi his side but for caucus rule and
the party Whip.