The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-12
THE CUCKOO IN CONGRESS.
TITLE THAT mas BECOME PoPC-
LAR Nv MORN HOUSES

senator Morgan First U-ed H n the silver
Debate TO Describe the Bnnd Followers
ofthe Adu,inistrntion-u Was Anerwnrd
Applied 20 cen. Tracey In the blouse.
WASHINGTON Feb. Ito the learned and
/ venerable Senator Morgan OF Alabama be-
longs tho honor OF having introduced the eS-
pressive title by which the blind worshippers
and faithful defenders Of the Administration
are pow generally known. 1t was in the course
Of some remarks made in tho Senate on the
| 18th OF October last. on the subject OF the Sill
| yer Repeal BILL that the AlaIama Senator. in
his characteristic clear musical voice and
| with just tinge Of sarcasm said In referring
to the enthusiasm with which some Senators
| championed tho cause OF unconditional re-
peal:
The trumpet had sounded. the forces we're
| marshalled, the clock had struck at the White
House. and the cuckoos here nil put their
| heads out Of the boxes and responded to In
| form US OF the time Of day: but they did not
seem fully TO know what they were talking
| about and never took pains to find out the
stateof the law"
The word cuckoo at once sprang into popu-
larity, and has since been used In Congress
! ana out. mostly la Jest, but often In ridicule.
at the Expense Of the few lonesome Democrats
who have venturod to sing the praises OF the
Administration on the floor OF tho Senate and
House. 1t is possible that Senator Morgan's
happy illustration Of the characteristics Of the
Congressional cuckoo might have been forgot
Ten in time and fallen into that species Of for
gotfulness described 10y Grover Cleveland as
'innocuous desuetude." but for the fash Of
wit that spranG from tho lirs Of Representa-
tive Wilson OF Washington during the debate
when tho Repeal lil was returned to the
House. soon after Senator Morgan had coined
tho new name for the Administration
rarty. Representative Tracey had ore minute
in which to thank the Administration men for
their loyalty and no had no sooner done so
than Mr.. Wilson. who Is rs quick rs lightning
always both with his tongue 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 Leriect imi- |
tation OF the cry OF the cuckoo bird. and there
they say at theatrical performances. but also |
brought down Gen. Tracey, whose speech was |
thus utterly destroyed N the laughter and APP
After that 1t was customary. when friends Of |
the Administration took the floor. to defend |
some particularly unpopular act Of the presi-
dent. Tor the opposition TO make reference to
the sweetness, with which they sung tho
mage had continued for some time. until
one day when Mr.. Boutelle was endeavoring
n no the Il esidentS Hawaiian poiic, he
was interrupted by Gen Tracey Of albany, one
on the floor ~ the House. At the first sound of
Gen Tacssys yHce dsm ian the REGULAR
and with nm inpatient gesture. shouted:
Why this impatienceY The White House
clock has not struck this morning"
This made Cen. Tracey very angry. he boing
seIio9s IN, minded man IT., at best ard In tho
lowed. ai f he had rebuGed Bouteile In
strictly parliamentary language no could be
heard w sHynS at an his hs
about him:
and am inclined to slap the face Of the next
This remark Of course. does not appear In
heard TO interrupt Gen Tracey with reierenc"
to the cucsoo bird. not for fear Of physical
sentative is physiesliy small man and cood-
natnred and polite Mt nll tines. but because
newspapers caught m tho cuckoo song. how
ever. and the sun gave such an interesting
md accom- lishmonts Of tho res uscilGted song
bird that its name is now considrTrd less OF u
rerroach by the Administration statesmen TO
The use Of the word cuckoo. as descriptive
Congress who are thick-nnd-thn defenders Of
all the acts Of the Administration. is apt to DO
expressive and appropriate name ior the Adj
m IN istration or Government party In Congress
ex Hr . S ana undue in wssnIna;o. .V tue
word cuckoo nS the namc Of the Adj
Tn, TstosnzG Spr y. tbs pns
or Democrat, and at puulic meetings
and political gatherings OF all sorts. the
word IL constantly in use. few evenings ago |
one ofthe Administration Democrats at large
dinner party was making rather tiiesome
and Iar-fetched speech in eulogy OF the iresi- !
dent. when n young man seated in an obscure
corner OF the big room suddenly rose. and with |
out q word Of Introduction proceeded to sing |
in clear and tn neful voice that protty song so
suggestive Of the late Fritz EmInet." Softly the
Cuckoo is Calling Now" The big audience
saw The point Mt once listened to the song
and ErsetPdIt with loud applause in the midst
Di which the speaker disappeared, and was
forgotten.