Evening journal., 1914-07-24
New News Of Yesterday
-----
How a Forceful Speaker
Quieted a House Riot
By HOLLAND.

In the latter part OF the last ses-
sion Of Congress in which Samuel j.
Randall, Of Pennsylvania. served as
Speaker Of the House OF Representa-
tfes there occurred an incident
which with great yividness Impress
&c me with his force Of character.
The House was IN Committee Of the
Whole. the discussion droning along.
Members seemed TO pay little heed 10
the proceedings My recollection IS
that the question before the commit
tee was one of the minor appropri-
alton bills.
Suddenly the House was in turmoil
Gen. James -. Weaver, Of Iowa. who
had gained great influence and
prominence as a leader of the popu
list party. was seen 10 be crossing
the main aisle, his arms uplifted and
with clenched fists What had De-
Cured no one In the House seemed
to know; that is to say. no one could
tell what had been said by some one
on the Democratic side OF the House
which had klndled Gen. Weayer's
anger and caused him momentarilv
to lose control OF himself. in the
confusion Il was seen that some one
on the Democratic side OF. the Honse
Rad raised a chair high in the air
end apparently purposed using II
either as a weapon Of attack or de.
fense
suddflly there appeared the su-
perb figure of Speaker Randall n
was as though he had come like an
apparition, and was at the Speakers
desk with nplifted gavel The ex-
preston Of his face was that az
magnificent strength and certainty OF
absolute authority. He struck the
desk three or four times with his
gavel, and II was as though that em-
blem OF authority spoke. In an in !
stant the House was perfectly uuiet
The mental power and official au-
thority of the Speaker were sufficient /
Tor the emergency Randall had |
thrust the member who was sitting as
chairman of the Committee of the I
whole aside so swiftly that the lat
Ter stood wondering. He was for a
moment in bewilderment.
Two or three evenings later
called on Speaker Randall at his
humble little home, which was situ
ated in quiet but not aristocratic
section of the Capital, a few minutes
walk from the House OF Representa-
uves. His Office was little room.
a bedroom betimes. / took heed OF
the superb poise of Randall's head
and its outlines the iead and face
which would have delighted Greek
sculptor
! spoke to the Speaker Of the Inn
preston which his instant command
Of very dangerous situation in the
House had made upon ne. and ] said
70 him that no ono seemed TO know
where he came from.
was chatting with a member
whose desk is on the side aisle" said
the Speaker. 4 happened to look
up and 7 saw Gen Weaver and the
furious expression which was on his
lace. ! also saw an uplfted chair.
! needed TO see no more. | have no
recollection Of how / reached the
Speakers desk. ] only know was
there and that il was a moment when
my best resources We're called into
action.
A Speaker OF such e body as the
House Of Representatives must be
prepared at all times for the sudden
appearance Of grave situations. TO {
manage a situation Of that kind is
one Of the highest tests for a Speaker
70 meet. There was a little reaction
on my part after order had been re-
stored but | hope no one noticed it,"
Copyright 1914 by b. J. Edwards. All
rights reserved.
Tomorrow Mr. Edwards will tell
Why Senator Mangum Resigned His
Office