Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-01-16
I'M our washington Correspondent.

the Floor.
From our Washington Correspondent f
Washington. Jan 13 Mr. Willis has
made his maiden speech in the House
of Representatives He has made several
efforts to secure recognition from the
| Speaker, but some ono always inter
posed objection. Even his resolution
to recognize Cuban belligerency was
objected to, and sowas not printed in
| the Record. On Saturday, however, he
triumphed over opposition. and his re-
marks are printed in tho Record. But
il was not without an effort, as he
camo very near being shut Off twice.
At last, through the courtesy of Mr..
Henderson of Iowa, was allowed to dis
| play his speech making ability, and
succeeded in winning applause from
his listeners.
The House had under consideration
an amendment to the rllea which dis
pensed with the time honored custom
of holding memorial services in the
House, over deceased member; and
printing long eulogies in the Congress.
sional Record. The friends Of the
amendment argued that the services
were useless waste Of time, and were
not appreciated, or looked upon in
sincere and revorental spirit by the
members They contended that the
Record should only contain an account
of the actual transactions Of the House,
and should not be filled with long
eulogies, which were not meant
During tho debate Mr.. Willis was an
attentive listener, but remained quietly
in his seat and made no effort to air
his opinion, until at last Mr. Hender-
son, who, as u member OF tho commit
tee on rules, was in charge Of the mea-
sure, became impatient and decided
that too much time was being con.
sumed in the discussion and moved the
previous question" leaving half
dozen members on their feet. Then
Mr.. Willis played his trump card, and
startled the House by calling upon Mr.
Henderson to withdraw his motion for
the previous question, as, he said, sit
was not right. ="
Mr.. Henderson looked surprised,
but after a moments hesitation politely
bowed to Mr. Willis and said he would
yield to the gentleman from Delaware.
Mr.. Willis rose to his feet, but Mr..
Quigg of New York was also on the
floor, and both men began to address
the House at the same time. This
proved an awkward predicament, and
as Mr.. Quigg did not yield, Mr.. Willis
had to. so he gracefully bowed and re-
sumed his scat, provoking an audible
laugh from the spectators
After the representative from New
York had finished his remarks, Sneaker
Reed, recognized the gentleman from
Delaware, who hastily arose and turn
ing his back to the chair, said that he
hoped the amendment would not pre-
vail. His principal reason for opposing
the measure, he said, was that I'VE
consume SO much time in saying un-
pleasant things about each other, that
it could not help being beneficial 10
devote some little time to saying some.
thing good. This brought forth ap-
plause, which evidently pleased the
gentleman from Delaware, " as he con
tinued in the same strain pointing out
that while they We're Congressman and
representatives of the people, that they
should not forget that they were men.
Tho often conflicting qualities OF their
nature and political predilection max
ing ii too frequently an occurrence for
the finding out of tine faults of their
neighbors and never the virtues. He
contended that the memorial services
had much good in them, and that the
timo devoted to such services could not
: be spent in a more profitable manner,
! than in listening to the good qualities,
possessed by deceased member Of
} that august body. In closing he urged
, the members Of the House TO entertain
! this sentiment Of brotherly love. and
said he hoped the amendment would bo
voted down.
This ended the debate and the amend
ment was defeated by large vote. Mr..
Willis left tho Capitol with sense of
having done his duty to mankind, and
was well eatisied with himself.