The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-07

crosses, or that of the Republicans in the
Fltty-tirst or the present Congress, was
about equal in numbers to the then entire
House. Numerous Intellectual ballots for
the election of a Speaker had been taken,
| and there was bad blood manifested on the
surface of affairs.
Members desired to open up the discus
SION In advance of the election OF a
Speaker, but a resolution was adopted de-
nylng the privilege of debate prior to the
completion of the organization. Mr..
Ioombs of Georgia determined to ignore
the resolution. and proceeded to address
the House. He said the legislative body
was nothing more than a town meeting or
a mob, and, Notwithstanding the demands
Tor order, he held the floor and filled the
chamber with his vociferous elequence.
know my rights" he repeated over
and over, and when upon motion to re-
send the rule cutting.off debate the clerk
proceeded to call the role, his voice was
drowned by the more vehement tones Of
the gentleman from Georgia.
on have treacherously violated and
opposed the rights of my constituents, :"
he shouted, land your fendish yells NAV
well be raised to drown an argument which
you tremble to hear. [ demand to know
by what authority that man stands there
and calls the roR''
Then, as later, and throughout those
troublous times, the slavery question was
uppermost, and the issue was argued with
all the ardor and zeal of. heated PARTISAN
ship. Members from the North had no
disposition to come into personal collision
with Mr.. Toombs for they knew he was
perslstently seeking to break up the as
Semblage.
The eminent Georgian continued his
herce onslaught upon the rules of the
house Tor hours, once exciaiming dramat-
icallly: "You may cry order order" till
the heavens fall, but you cannot take this
place from me-" And at another juncture
declaring with solemn positiveness that
the Union had ceased to exist.
At last, exhausted almost to the verge of
physical collapse, hoarse and painting for
breath, Mr.. Toombs sank into his seat and
the clerk gravely announced that the
House had refused to rescind the order
fo1bidding debate.
a third event, occurring in June 1854,
drew Mr.. Cullom of Illinois and Mr.,
Churchwell of Tennessee into collision,
which was governed by no known rules,
but which must have been ludicsous as it
was exciting,
tsMr. Chnrchweu felt called upon to
throw himself upon the charity of the
House for one moment" The result was
that Mr.. CulIom felt himself to be com
PEELED equally to throw himself upon Mr..
Churchwell.
liz 4lIC N4ldO1C ISCOIQ was aDDPaleQ 10,
from which Mr.. Churchwell hao proceeded
TO show that Mr.. Cul1om had interpolated
IN previous speech of his certain words
that were not uttered upon the floor.
Inc language referred to was declared
by Churchweu 10 be exceedingly offensive
and UNANIMOUSLY false" Cullom was
about fifteen feet away and had listened
IN angry silence to the reading of the al
legged extract. Before Churchwell had
completed the last sentence of his denun-
clatory comment the Ilhnoisan sprang
from his seat and with clenched fists made
desperate effort to reach him.
lie was caught by several friends, who
grasped him by the coat collar, arms and
ABOUT the body, one or two Selling his legs
and effectually stopping locomotIon. II
is part OF the history of this episode that
the oVer-zealous peacemakers came very
near to disrobing Mr.. Cullom In their
efforts to prevent active hostilities.
The Speaker literally banged for order.
ana commanded the sergeant-at-arms to
restore peace. Displaying his mace, that
functionary rushed first to Cullom and
then to Churchwell, vibrating excitediv
between the two and making franti,
efforts to second the Speakers demand for
a cessation of the hostile demonstrations
Order was finally restored, Mr. Cullom
taxing his seat and Mr.. ChurchwelI retir-
ing to the lobby
The sergeant-at-arms and his sacred
badge OF authority have been usually DO
tent IN quelling a Congressional row, but
there have been occasions when that officer
might well have sought safety in the cloak
room, leaving the fight to adjust its own
equilibrium. Inkstands have not been the
most dangerous weapons brought into
requisition, nor spittoons, for that matter.
Men very much younger than the Oldest
inhabitants have vivid recollection of the
sIx-shooters that were brandished more
than score of times in the House, peace
enforeers that custom Endorsed, the code
demanded, and that law was powerless to
expel from the hip pocket