The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-15
Hear John Quincy Adams"
1EpHorth Herald

"Silence! Silence resounded throu gh
the hall of congress. Hear him! Hear
him! Hear John Quincy Adams
It was one of the most dramatic Incl
dents IL American history.
This twenty-sixth congress,which began
in December, 1886, had been in session
three days, and yet it had not been able to
organize. Itwas the custom for the clerk
OF the preceding congress to act as the
chairman Of the new congress until it had
organized and elected speaker. Mr..
Hugh H. Garland, the clerk, refused to
proceed in calling the roll after reaching
the State of New Jersey, because the
membership from that State was in dis
pute.
The fourth day opened, and confusion
still prevailed. The clerk had begun the
roll call with Maine, and as he was pro-
ceeding toward Massachusetts,, John
Quincy Adams, e1-president OF the
United States, one of the most learned
and most eloquent statesmen of the world,
was seen to clasp the front edge OF his
desk to assist him in rising, for be was an
old man.
His keen eye was riveted on the clerk.
"Mr Garland, call New jersey" Mr..
Adams said.
The clerk replied that "rather than do
so, repeat that"
Before he could finish the sentence Mr..
Adams sprang to the floor and said:
II rise to interrupt the clerk"
"Silence! Silencep' resounded through
the hall. Hear him! Hear him! Hear
what he has to say! Hear John Quincy
Adamsr'
In an instant the most profound silence
reigned throughout the hall.
Mr. Adams said: This is not the time
or place to discuss the merits of the con-
ficting elements for seats from New Jer-
sey; that subject belongs to the house of
representatives. which by the constitution
is made the ultimate arbiter of the quail
fcations of its Members. But what a
spectacle we here present! We degrade
and disgrace our constituents and tho
country.
I'VE do not and cannot organize; and
why? Because the clerk Of this house,
the mere clerk, whom we create, whom
We employ, and whose existence depends
upon our will, usurps the throne, and
sets US, the representatives and vice-ger-
ents, of the whole American people at de-
fance, and holds u.s. in contempt! And
what is this clerk of yours! Is be to con-
troll the destinies OF fifteen millions VI
freemen! Is he to suspend, by his mere
negative, the functions of government,
and put an end to this congress?
He refused to call the roll It is in your
power to compel him to call it, if he will
not do it voluntarily"
Here Mr.. Adams was interrupted by a
member, who said that be was authorized
TO say that com oulsion could not reach
the clerk, and that he would resign, rather
than call the State of New Jersey.
"Well, SIR exclaimed Mr.. Adams,
"then let him resign, and we may possibly
discover some way by which we can get
along without the aid OF his all powerful
talent, learning and genius.
If we cannot organize IN any other
way; if this clerk of yours will not consent
to our discharging the trust confded to
us by our constituents, then let US initiate
the example of the Virginia House of Bur
gesses, which when the colonial governor,
Dinwiddie, ordered it to disperse, refused
to obey the imperious and insulting
mandate, and like men,
Before Mr.. Adams could finish the
sentence, the whole body, together with
the multitude of onlookers, unable longer
to repress their enthusiasm, burst into
cheers. The anarchy of the last few days
was dispelled in moment.
Several members shouted, "How shall
the question be put?' "Who will put
the question:" Above the tumult Mr..
Adams own voice was heard:
II will put the question myself"
Mr.. Richard Barnwell Rhett, of South
Carolina, leaped upon one of the desks,
waved his hand, and exclaimed:
Il move that the Hon. John Quincy
Adams take the chair of the speaker of
this house, and of6ciate as presiding ofic-
or till the house be organized by the elec-
ton of it's constitutional officers. AS
many as are agreed to this will say aye,
those"
He had no opportunity to put the mega
live, for one universal. deafening, thunder
ing aye responded to the nomination. And
Mr.. Adams was conducted in honor to
the chair.
Mr.. Wise, of Virginia, addressing Mr..
Adams, aaid:
"Si, 1 regard this as the proudest hour
Of your life; and if when you shall be
gathered to your fathers, 7 we're asked to
select the words which, in my judgment
are best calculated to give at once tbe
character of the man, I would inscribe
upon your tomb this sentence. i will put
the question myself"