Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-11-30
AS Seen BY Twain.

cables to the World from Nlennd'
In the Austrian house of deputies
on Thanksgiving day, in the midst OF
a deafening tumult, 1 saw motion
read which nobody heard and passed
by nobody knows whom, for, indeed,
it was not passed at all. 1t was
aimed at the obstructiouists, and
placed autocratic powers in the hands
of the president of the parliament.
This was victory for the government
but was unlawfully won and was sim
pie usurpation.
Naturally Saturdays session will
be historical. l went early, arriving
when the house was empty. In half
an hour two or three hundred MEM
bers were present on the floor and the
galleries were packed. was in a gal
lery close to the presidents tribune,
and had perfect view. There was
not much noise then, but the atmos-
phere was charged with suspense and
expectancy. All the vast house was
holding its breath.
A long wait, then stir, a craning
of necks, and at door far to tie
right the president and Yice-presi-
d Mt entered. The house arose and a
hurricane of insults and excavations
burst from the opposition and blew
them to their places. The right an
swered back, and both sides roared
and shouted 'apd stormed. Two
dozen socialists stood in body below
the ministerial desks, shouted up at
the president and shook their fists
furiously at him. He addressed some
words to the house-at least one could
see his lips move, and he folded his
hands deprecatingly over his breast.
If he is tyrant he has some beseech-
ing persuasive gestures not seen else
where but among the angels.
That holy gesture seemed to madden
the socialists. All of them plunged
over the barriers and ra up through
the ministerial desks and benches.
One rushed up and snatched the pres
ident's papers; another seized his bell
In moment they were fighting and
struggling with uniformed servants of
the house, who elected them.
At the same time Others Of their
group stormed up the side of the trib-
une, drove out the president and vice.
president, aud followed them across
the floor, hammerlng the latter with
their fists, but saw no blow actually
reach the president.
The socialists came ba K, occupied
the presidents tribune and held it
like a fort. A man in a red cravat
gathered up an armful of the presi-
dents papers and threw them over
the front in sort Of snow storm.
Meantime tue whole house was
bowling, yelling and banging on the
desks. A Sonth African thunder
storm is solid silence compared with
il. "Rascals,' "ScoundTels," those
and less delicate epitthets filled tho
air.
All OF IA sudden the distant doc
opened, and down the floor of The
brilliant chamber came drifting th,
spectacles and flash of 60 spiked hel
NETS. 1t was the most thrilling
theatrical surprise l ever saw:
would not have missed 1t for the sue
cession Of the throne. Moreover, i
was historical, and belongs among tn
worlds memorable days. The fore
r was received with the tempest Of ex
!. ecratlon from the one party, aud Will
) victory notes from the other, yet /
|. was a heavy defeat for all concerned
The handsome officer in comman'
= cared nothing for his reception. III
went up into the tribune aud re
auested the socialist garrison TO re
tire. They declined Then he steppel
, aside, and ms men pulled, hauled AM
. dragged the fighting, struggling gal
I rlson down from their fort and out @
the door, and the amazing drama wa
finished.