Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-08-07
."Hear john Quincy AdamsI,


silence silenee!" resounded through
the Hall of CONGREGATIONS himl Hear
him Hear John Quincy Adams !"
1t was one of the most dramatic incidents
in American history. Tho Twenty Sixth Con-
gross, 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 Congress until it had
organized and elected Speaker. Mr.. Hugh
II, Garland, the clerk, refused to proceed in
calling the roll after reaching the State OF
Now Jersey, because the membership was in
dispute
| The fourth day opened, aud confusion still
prevailed. The clerk had begun the roll call
with Maine, and. as he was proceeding toward
Massachusetts, John Quincy Adams, cx-Prcsi-
dent of the United States, one of the most
learned and most eloquent statesmen of the
world, was seen to clasp lhe front edge of his
desk to assist him in rising, for he was an old
man. His keen eye was riycted on the clerk.
''New Jersey" called the clerk Mr.. Garland,
sand the clerk has to repeat that"
Before he could finish the sentence, Mr..
Adams sprang to the floor, and said:
''I rise to interrupt the clerk"
"Silence! Silcnce!" resounded through the
hall, 'Hear himl Hear hirn Hearwhat he
has to sayl Hear John Quincy Adams!"
In an instant the most profound silence
reigued throughout the hall. Mr. Adams said:
"This is not the time or place to discuss the
merits of tho conflicting claimants for seats
from New Jersey; that subject belongs to the
House of Representatives, which by the Con-
stitution is nude the ultimate arbitcr of the
qualifications of its members. But what q
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 tho throne, and
sets us, and the representatives and viceregebts
of the whole American people, at defiance,
and holds US in contempt And what is this
clerk or yours2 Is he to control the destinics
of sixteen millions of frecmen? 1s he to sus-
pend, by his mere negative, the functions of
government, and put an end TO this CongressS
He refuses to call the roll! Itisiu yourpowcr
to compel him to call it, If he will not do it
voluntarily"
Here Mr.. Adams was interrupted by mem
OSLl WHO but0 tARS AG htAo AuSuOElEcu 70
that coTbpulsion could not reach the clerk.
who had avowed that he would resign rather
thaa 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 aidof 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 trusts confided TO us by
our constituents, then let us initiate the ex-
ample of the Virginia House of Burgcsses,
which, when the Colonial Governor, Dinwid-
die, ordered it TO disperse, refused to obey the
imperious and insulting mandate, aud, like
men"
Before Mr.. Adams could finish the sentence
the whole body, together with the multitude
of on-lookers unable longer to reprcss their
enthnsiasm, burst into cheers. Tho anarchy
of the past three days was dispelled ie mo-
ment.
Several members shouted. "How shall the
question be putt" "who will put tho ques-
tion?" Above the tumult Mr.. Adams own
voice was heard:
81 win put the question myselfl''
Mr.. Richard BarnwelI Rhett, of South Car
olina, leapcd upon one of the desks, waved
his hand, and exclaimed:
81 move that Hon. John Quincy Adams
take the chair of the Speaker of this House.
oficiate till the House be organized by the
election of Its constitutional officers As
many as are agreed to this VIII say aye;
those"
He had no opportunity to put the negative,
for one universal. deafening. laundering are
responded to the nomination. And Mr. Adams
was conducted in honor 10 the chair.
Nr. Wise, of Virginia, addressing Mr..
Adams, said:
"sir, 1 regard this as the proudest hour of
your life; and II, when you shall be gathered
to your fathers, were asked 70 select the
words which, In my Judgment, are best calcn-
lated TO give at once the character Of the
man, would inseribe upon your tomb this
sentence: 4 win put the question myself.
| LEp.corh Herald.