Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-07-29
Hear John Quincy Adams"

"Silence Silence !" resounded
through the Hall of Congress. "Hear
him, Hear him Hear John Quincy
Adams ~
1t was one of the most dramatic in
cidents in American history. The
Twenty-sixth Congress, which began in
December, 1889, had been in session
three days, and yet it had not been
able to organize. 1t was the custom
for the clerk of the preceding Congress
to act as the chairman of the new Con-
gress until it had organized and elected
a Speaker. Mr.. Hugh II. 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 dispute.
The fourth day opened, and confu-
sion still prevailed. The clerk had
begnn the roll call with Maine, and. as
he was proceeding toward Massachu-
sets, John Quincy Adams, ex-Presi-
dent of the United States, one of the
most learned and most eloquent states
men of the world, was seen to clasp the
front edge of his desk to assist him in
rising, for he was an old man. His
keen eye was riveted on the clerk.
"New jersey" called Mr.. Garland,
"and the clerk has to repeat that"
Before he could finish the sentence,
Mr.. Adams sprang to the floor, and
said:
Il rise 10 interrupt the clerk"
"Silence Silence ~ resounded
through the hall. "Hear him Hear
him Hear what he has to say Hear
John Quincy Adams "
In an instant the most profound 81
lence reigned throughout the hall.
Mr.. Adams said "This is not the time
or place to discuss the merits of the
conflicting claimants for seats from
New Jersey; that subject belongs to
the House of Representatives, which
by the constitution is made the ulti-
mate arbiler of the qualifications Of its
members. But what spectacle we
here present! We degrade and disgrace
ourselves; we degrade and disgrace our
constituents and the country. We 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
regents of the whole American people,
at defiance, and holds US in contempt !!
And what is this clerk of yours? Is he
t. control the destines of sixteen mil
lions of freemen Is he to suspend by
his mere negative, the functions of gov
ernment, and put an end to this Con-
gress He refuses to call the roll 1t is
IN your power to compel him to call it,
if he will not do it voluntarily"
Here Mr.. Adams was interrupted by
Il member, who said that he was au-
thorized to say that compulsion could
not reach the clerk, who had avowcd
that he would resign rather than call
the State of New Jersey.
"Well, sir,", exclaimed Mr.. Adams,
then let him resign, and we may pos
siblv 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,
ifths clerk of yours will not consent TO
our discharging the trusts confided 10
us by our constituents, then let us imi-
tate the example of the Virginia House
of Burgesses, which, when the Colonial
Governor, Dinwiddic, ordered it to dis
perse, refused to obey the imperious
and insulting mandate, and like men"
Before Mr.. Adams could finish the SEN
tence the whole body, together with
the multitude OF onlookers unable long
er to repress their enthusiasm, burst
into cheers. The anarchy of the past
three days was dispelled in moment.
Several members shouted: 'How
shall the question be put ?" "Who
will put the question:" Above the tu-
multi Mr.. Adams own voice was heard.
81 will put the question myselfw
Mr.. Richard Barnwell Rhett, of
South Carolina, leaped upon one of the
desks, waved his hand, and exclaimed :
II move that Hon. Johr Quincy
Adams take the chair of the Speaker
of this House, and officiate as presiding
officer till the House be organized by
the election of its constitutional Of
ficers. As many as are agreed to this
will say aye; those"
He had no opportunity to put the
negative, for one universal, deafening,
laundering aye responded to the NOM
ination. And Mr.. Adams was conduct
ed in honor to the chair.
Mr.. Wise, of Virginia, addressing
Mr.. Adams, said:
"sir, regard this as the proudest
hour of your life; and if, when you
shall be gathered to your fathers, /
were asked to select the words which,
in my judgment, are best calculated to
give at once the character of the man,
| would inscribe upon your tomb this
sentence, i will put the question
myself n-Epworth Herald.
A Gop SEND is Eiy's Cream Balm. 1 had