Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-04
THE HOUSE AT NIGHT.
Long and Tedious Tariff Speeches Made
to an Empty Chamber.
CONGR ESSMAN Gu III MINGS.
Inside View Into the Ways of the Nations
Law -Makers-IIow Two Members
Adjourned tho House.
1correspondence of the Dispatch)

OCorrespOndence or the DNspatcnD
WASHINGTON. d. c., February s.
Ever since the Forty-eishth Congress
tariff debates at night have been a spe-
cialty. They began in the Forty-ninth
Congress, when Colonel Morrison's hori-
zontal tariff bill was brought up 20
many members desired to speak that IL
was found impossible to accommodate
them without night sessions. In the
Ffftieth Congress the practice was con-
t;nued. The Mills bill came before the
House. The debate lasted several months.
In that Congress there were over a hun
dred night sessions. Tariff discussions at
night flied the galleries and emptied the
hall. I..deed. the chamber Of the liorse
might have been compared to an archi-
pelago. The members were the island
and the hall vas the sea, and the Islands
were very few.
In the Fifticth Congress a very anus
ing scene occurred. 4 representative from
Massachusetts, was addressing the House
about 10 o'clock one night. The speech
was made in Committee OF the WHOLE.
There were three members on the door
besides himself, two OF whom intended TO
speak one OF the representatives, asked
the other two down into the restaurant
He kept them there by the serenity Of
his manner and the excess Of his hOspi-
| taIity. While they were away the Massa-
! chusctts member finished his speech. rs
/ there was no other representative pres
ent. he was forced to move that the COM
mittce rise lie voted yea on his own
motion. and the committee. which was
himself. did rise. The Chairman called
3 the committee 10 the chair 10 act as
I Speaker. descended from the desk, and
made his report 10 the Speaker pro TEN.
+ He then moved that the House adjourn.
. The Speaker pro tem put the notion the
cx-chalrman Of the committee voted yea
The vote was unanimous, and the House
did adjourn
AMUSING SCENES.
! There were many amusing scenes while
! the Mckinley bill was under discussion
I in the Fifty-hrst Congress, and also in
; the Fifty-second. when the frce-wool bill
} was Lp. Tho tartf debate this session has
! been very short but the night sessions
: LASTED for two weeks. They were similar
TO those that preceded them. Here l. a
! picture Of a night session for debate
/ only" on January 18th.
We are seated in the reporters gallery
! which. ~ the way, IS vacant Below u.
! is the hail bathcd IN gas-iieht. with It.
| green carpet. brg-s ventilators silvery
/ cuspidors. oak desks. an1 cane-seate,
) chair. only thirteen Of the 3jG seats ar
! occupied. Judge Powers OF Vermont, T.
! delivering tariff speech. Mr. Dockery
Of Missouri, is presiding in Committee o.
the Whole. The Judges speech Is laID
upon pile OF congressional records. III
| frock coat is buttoned 10 the throat ii,
| gestculdtcs iiercely with his right arm
! and looks every inch a statesman. Neal
| him sits William Ryan, of New York
! playing with his W3tCh-chain and listen
| ing to his remarks. Away of on the righ
! you see Mr.. Bailey. OF Texas, appearing
| like an oasis in a desert. drawing inspira
| ton from some public document and tot
ting down data for future use Fortl
feet away appears Lafe Pence, the clo
Quent young Congressman from Colorado
twildling his thumbs. and having an ai
/ OF strict attention, Down at the fropt f.