The Washington herald., 1914-07-24
HISTORY BUILDERS.
How a Forceful Speaker Quoted a
House Riot.
Written Expressly for The Washington HeraIdJ
ny DR.. z. J. EDWARDS.


ny DIR. z. J. EDWARDS.
In the latter part OF the last session OF
Congress in which Samuel J. Randall, OF
Pennsylvania, served as Speaker OF the
House Of Representa- there occurred
an incident which with great vividness
impressed me with his force Of character.
The House was in Committee Of the
Whole, the discussion droning along.
Members seemed to pay little heed 20
the proceedings. Ny recollection is that
the question before the committee was
one OF the minor appropriation bills.
Suddenly the House was in turmoil.
Gen. James d. Weaver. OF Iowa, who
had gained great influence and promi-
nence as a leader OF the Populist party.
was seen to be crossing the main aisle,
his arms uplifted and with clenChed fists.
What had occurred 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 kindled Gen. WeaYer's anger
and caused him momentarily TO lose con-
troi Of himself. In the confusion. IL was
seen that some one on the Democratic
side OF the House had raised a chair
high in the air and apparently purposed
using II either as a weapon Of attack or
OF defense.
Suddenly there appeared the superb hE-
ure OF Speaker Randall. II was as
though he had come like an apparition,
and was at the Speakers desk with up-
lifted gravel. The expression Of his face
was that OF magnificent strength and GER
tainty of absolute authority. He struck
the desk three or four times with his
gavel, and Il was as though that en-
blem Of authority spoke. In an instant
the House was perfectly quiet The
mental power and Official authority OF
the Speaker were sufficient for the emer-
gency. Randall had thrust the member
who was sitting as chairman OF the Com
mittee Of. the Whole aside so swiftly
that the latter stood wondering. He was
for a moment in bewilderment
Two or three evenings later I called
on Speaker Randall at his humble little
home. which was situated in a quiet buI
not artstocratic section OF the Capital, =
few minutes walk from the House OF
Representatives. His once was a little
room, bedroom betimes. I took heed OF
the superb poise OF Randalrs head and
its outlines, the head and face which
would have delighted a Greek sculptor.
I spoke to the Seaker OF the impres-
sion which his Instant command OF a
very dangerous situation in the House
had made upon me. and I said to hin
that no one seemed TO know where he
came from.
II was chatting with a member whose
desk is on the side aisle" said the
Speaker. II happened TO look up and
saw Gen. Weaver and the furious eX-
preston which was on his face. I also
saw an uplifted chair. I needed to see
no more. have no recollection Of how
l reached the Speakers desk. only
know l was there and that It was mo-
ment when my best resources were called
into action.
"A Speaker OF such a body as the
House Of Representatives must be pre-
pared at all times for the sudden appear
ance of grave situations. To manage a
situation OF that kind is one Of the hign-
est tests for a Speaker to meet. There
was a little reaction on my part after
order had been restored. but l hope no
one noticed it"
Copyright 1914 by DR.. Z. J. Edwards. Al nights
reserTed.D
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell why
Senator Mangum Resigned His Office.'