The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-07

suvcested that Il would perhaps be wiser
Tor NcKaio 10 find another seat until Mr..
Uar,er had finished his few remarks on
The silver question with illustrations. Mr..
uarter and Mr. McKaig are very good
friends and after the incident was over
both gentlemen rather enjoyed IL than
otherwise.
One Saturday afternoon, couple OF
months or so ago, the house had good
deal OF fun. A few weeks before that
Renresentative Walker. of Massachusetts,
had made n speech in which he had severe
" denounced Representative George Fred
Williams, Of the same state. When the
speech was published In The Record, Mr..
Williams moved that part Of it be edited
and that some portions be expunged. The
Democrats were in favor Of doing this, but
the Republicans opposed the resolution,
and after a good deal Of filibustering 1t
was agreed that Mr. Walker should nave
chance Of defending himself before vote
was taken on the motion 70 expunge. Mr..
Walker, who is gentleman OF rather vlo-
lent temper. and with determination TO al
WAYS have his own way, spent several days
preparing his defense, and the house looked
| forward to hearing him read it with some
hopes of fun They were not disappointed
/ and it is doubtful if speech" has ever
/ before been made in congress In Mr..
Walkers style.
He opened his remarks by an essay on
the freedom of debate, and then to prove
that he was no greater an offender than
many other members he had carefully col
lated all the unpleasant things which the
Democrats had said about Speaker Reed
during the turbulent scenes in the last
Congress, and truth compels me TO add
that they had given utterance to some
pretty sharp remarks. But Mr.. Walkers
method was decidedly original. Every ex-
tract had been cut out of The Congressional
Record and pasted on a separate slip OF
paper These he had headed with title,
and these titles gave the meat OF the at
tack. Every quotation began with the
words gin which" as, for instance, In
which the Democrats liken Mr.. Reed 10
heather idol" and then Mr.. Walker read
how Democrat in the last Congress had
claimed that the Republicans bowed down
before Speaker Reed as the heather did 10
his idol and said TO himself. "You are not
handsome. but you are certainly great.
Such things as these kept the house in one
continuous roar, and even Mr.. Reed had to
join in the general laughter.
As Mr.. Walker spoke for more than
couple Of hours he naturally got tired be-
fore he had finished, and to save his voice
as much as possible he alternated with
the clerk in reading the extracts. A corps
of pages was kept busy in carrying copy
from Mr.. Walker 10 the clerks desk, but
before Mr.. Walker let the copy 90 out Of
his hands he always read the title, invari-
ably beginning with, In which" Mr..
Walkers manuscript was so bulky that
some Of the sheets got mixed up, and Rep
resentative Boutelle, of Maine. had to come
TO his assistance TO try to straighten things
out.
But Mr.. Boutelle had to give the job up
after ten minutes hard work, and while
the house waited and looked on and
laughed and unfeeling remarks were made
from the Democratic side the author Of
the speech was trying to unravel the
Chinese puzzle. Once page boy did not
move fast enough to please Mr.. Walker
and he called out to him, Here, boy, here;
hurry upr' and when the badly scared
youngster made q rush for that gentle
mans desk Mr.. Walker shook him by the
hand, patted his head and told him always
to be good boy and he might be happy.
Altogether it was a very comical incident.
Perhaps the most remarkable scene
which was ever witnessed in either branch
of congress occurred a few years ago. A
tariff debate was pending and a new mem
Der with ambitions had shown decided
symptoms of inAicting his maiden effort
on the house. AS other and more impor-
tant men were anxious to talk the new
man was crowded out, and il was finally de-
cided that he should be given a chance by
being heard at an evening session. Much
rejoiced he determined that he would
make a speech which would cause even the
old stagers TO open their eyes, and when he
wended his way TO the Capitol that even
ing his bosom was swelling with pride,
and he mentally pictured TO himself the
piaudits which would greet him when he
sat down, and how his colleagues would
gather about his seat and welcome the
latest Demosthenes.
Alas for the ignorance of youth! This
member did not know that it is rare indeed
when more than a mere handful of men,
bers attend an evening session, and on this
particular evening it so happened that be
sides the temporary speaker the attend
ance consisted Of just two other persons
the new member, who was to make his
great tariff speech for the benefit Of him
self and his constituents, and one other
man who BY some mistake had been
curious enough TO wander up on Capitol !
hill
The speaker pro tenn. decided that, de
spite the slim attendance, the session
should be held. He brought his gavel
down on the desk and declared the house
TO be In order, and then the new member /
started in and launched out with his dis
sertation on the tariff. The sole auditor |
had 10 remain and listen to it, while the |
speaker yawned and twisted about in his /
chair and wished the farce would quickly |
come to an end. For two mortal hours the |
new member spoke to empty chairs. Hav- |
Ing finished his speech the audience" got /
up and said, "Mr. Speaker" and that
functionary replied, "The gentleman from
Blank"
Il move the house do now adjourn" the |
member said
With BETTING gravity the speaker said, |
ut has been moved that the house do now 1
adjourn; all those in favor will say aye,
opposed no."
Two ayes" came out Of that vast space. /
The speaker brought his gavel down with /
a bang and declared the house adjourned, |
and the new member. his colleague and |
the speaker went out in the night air, |
while a few days later the constituents of
-