The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-19
WILSON NAMED THEM.
Cleyeland's Servile Supporters
Are Called Cuckoos.
IT MAKES THEM VERY ANGRY
bss They Can't Help on's
cesgrsssman FisAs Himself sud-
deaiy Grown Famoua
Nav York snn

tAsc tsAEns1 ana venerable senator
Morgan Of Alabama belongs the honor Of
having introduced the expressive title by
wnscn the blind worshipp<rs and faithful
defenders OF the administration ara now
generally known. It vas in the course Of
some remarks made in the senate on the
18TH OF October last. on the subject oil the
silver repea! bill. that the Alabama sena-
Tor. In his characteristic clear, musical
voice and with just singe of sarcasm.
said In referring TO the enthusiasm vith
which some senators championed the
cause OF unconditional rspeal:
THE trumpet had sounded. the forces
we're marshalled. the clock had struck at
the White house. and the cuckoos here
all put their heads out of the boxes and
responded 70 inform Us of the time OF day;
ous they DID not seem fully TO know what
tney we're talking about and never took
pains 10 aud out the state Of the law"
The word cuckoo At once sprang into
popularity, and has since been used, in
congress and out. mostly in jest but often
In ridicuie, At the expense OF the few
lonesome Democrats who have ventured
TO sing the praises Of the administration
on the floor Of the senate and house Il
- possible that Senator Morgan's happy
illustration Of the characteristics of the
congressional cuckoo might have been for
gotten In tine and fallen into that specie.
OF forgetfu!ness described by Grover Cieve-
land as innoeuous desuetude," but for
the Hash OF wit that sprang from the lips
OF Representative Wilson, of Washington,
during the debate when the repeal bill
was returned TO the house, soon after Sen
ator Morgan had coined the new name for
the administration party. Representative
Tracey had one minute IN which To thank
the administration men for their LOYALTY
and he had no sooner done so than Mr..
wilson, who 10 as quick as light
nng always, both with his ton
que and his feet, and who had
been sitting unseen in the midst of
his Republican colleagues on the other
side OF the house. suddenly gave forth a
perfect Imitation of the cry of the cuckoo
bird. and thereby not only s'oYought down
the house" as they say at theatrical per-
formanccs. but also brought down Gen.
Tracey. whose speech was thus utterly de-
stroyed In the laughter and applause that
followed.
After that IL was customary. when
friends OF the administration took the
door to defend some particularly unpopu-
lar act OF the president, for the opposition
to make reference TO the sweetness with
which they sung the cuckoo song. This
sort of good-natured bandiage had contin-
Mr.. bouteiIe was endeavoring TO secure
recognition for his resolution denounc-
Ing the presidents Hawaiian policy. he
was interrupted by Gen. Tracey, Of Al
bany, one Of the most enthusiastic adj
ministration men on the floor of the
house. At the first sound of Gen. Tracey's
voice demanding the regular order, Mr..
Bouteile. with his big-lunged voice and
with an impatient gesture. shouted:
why kthis impatienceY The White
House clock has not struck this morning"
This made Gen. Tracey very angry, ne
being serious minded man at best, and
in the midst of the laughter and confusion
that followed. after he had rebuked Bou-
telie IN strictly parliamentary language,
he could be heard saying emphaticaliy
and shaking his head with determinatio
AZ his colleagues about him:
II am getting tired of this cuckoo bust
ness. and / am inclined 10 slap the face of
the next man who applies the name to
me-"
This remark, of course, does not appear
in the Record. Since that time nobody
has been heard to interrupt Gen. Tracey
with reference 10 the cuckoo bird, not for
fear of physical punishment, perhaps. for
the Albany representative is physically a
small man and good natured and polite
ut all times. but because they did not care
to annoy him undu.y. The newspapers
the San gave such an interesting and &C
curate account of the history, habits and
accomplishments Of tho resuscitated song
bird that its name Is now considered less
of a reproach by the administration states
men to whom il is applied
The use of the word cuckoo, as descrip-
tive of that portion of the Democratic
party in congress who are thick-and- thin
defenders of all the acts Of the administra-
ton, is apt TO be permanent and go down
into history rs an expressive and appro-
pirate name for the administration or gov
eminent party in congress. Like the word
"Magwgmn." 1t is enphonious, expressive
and unique. In Washington City the
word cuckoo" as the name of the adj
ministration party. Is now as gener-
ally recognized as the name Republican
or Democrat, and at public meetings
and political gatherings OF all sorts. the
word is constantly in use. A few evenings
ago one OF the administration Democrats
at a large dinner party Was making a
rather tiresome and iar-ietched speech IN
euiogy OF the president. when young man
seated in an obscure corner OF the big
room suddenly arose and without aword
of introduction proceeded TO sing in 4
clear and tuneiai voice that pretty song so
suggestive O; the late Fritz Emmet
softly the Cuckoo Is Calling, Now"
The big audience saw the point at once.
listened To the song. and greeted II with
speaker disappeared and vas forgotten.