Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-11
THE HOUSE NODDED
While Mr.. Snodgrass Uttered Pierce Lam
gaage in Mild Tonea


II any considerable number Of Congress-
men started from home last night contem-
plating going to the Capitol they lost their
bearings in the fog and either returned to
port or tied up somewhere, they say on
the Mississippi. to wait for daybreak ls
was what the sailors call thick weather OUT
side. The great light in the dome burned
dimly through the fog like an evil eye, .
leering, bilious eye that did not cast fts
glance beyond the Peace monument IL
was a night fo- big craft to remain ct
anchor, which they did. That In no redec-
uoh, however, upon the eighteen or twenty
members who Occupied the hall Of the House
while Mr.. Snodgrass of Tennessee read his
tariff speech from manuscript.
The hall presented a quiet and soothing
aspect. Mr.. Snodgrass read his speech In Q
gentle tone which sounded like the hum OF
oees on a June afternoon around q clover
held In blossom. He spoke softly, a. II
fearful OF arousing the echoes perchaucs
sun lurking around the caves from the
student tones Of Mr.. Boutelle in the morn
ing or the eloouence of Tom johnson OF
ONO. Dalzell. ct al, during the day. A
dozed on the steps around the spesker's
chair, the stenog -aphers relaxed themselves.
the chairman of the committee of the whole
settled himself comfortably in his seat and
prooaply wished he were I'm the place Of the
man IN the song who never wanders from
his own freside. and a somnoient atmos-
phere peryaded the hall
Mildly Fierce.
Still Mr.. snodgrass read on in his gentle
way. launching deep invective against the
republican party in dulcet tones devoid
Of anger. 1t sounded awfuliy coid-blood-
ed to hear man berate a party in such .
sweet, pleasant way. Once an enthusiastic
democrat in the gallery, aroused by a sem
tence that struck a responsive chord In
MS own breast. attempted TO applaud. but
nm IrAlr A..
peaceful surroundings, was so apparently
out OF harmony with the brooding air OF
quiet. that people looked at him chidInely,
reproviDgly, and he stillei his unseemly enc
rhusiasm suddenly and with confusion.
sun MIR. Snodgrass read on, the pages nod
oed, the galleries dozed. the lights over
mead blinked and winked In sympathy,
Chairman Richardson gazed at the ceiling
with that far-away look in his eyes. and
Mr.. Snodgrass winding up his speech with
the soft pedal. tapered of with a dimin-
uendo movement ike the swan song In
Lohengrin, dying away In the distance.
For moment there was complete silence,
the air OF brooding stiffness settled lower
over the House until it seemed that some
body must snore, when the chairman awoko
With a start
Bang! came the gavel on the desk. the
pages jumped to their feet. the stenograph-
ers sprang for their pencils the galleries
were aroused and the House rubbed its
eyes. Mr.. Mahon of Pennsylvania was
recognized and started of to refute the
heresies OF democracy and tariff reform.
The scene seemed to shift, the conditions
to change and a general spirit of get-a-
move-on-you pervaded the place. With
vigorous lungs he awoke the slumbering
echoes of the hall until people wandered IN
from corridors and lobby TO see what this
| unwonted stir was about and to listen TO
true republican doctrine Is expounded By
one of the faithful
| Other speakers came. the hands on the
clock crawled round from notch to notch.
and the audience began to dribble away.
In twos and threes and singles they depart-
| ed, until finally the last speech was said
the last member departed. the lights turn
/ ed out and the great white Capitol wrapped
| itself In a nightgown of fog and betook IT
| self to slumber.