In 1885, when John Allen first entered the House, he tried to get the floor to make a speech, but the Speaker, taking a dim view of speeches by freshmen members, refused to recognize him.
Allen then asked for permission “to print some remarks in the Record, and insert ‘laughter’ and ‘applause’ in appropriate places. This amused the Speaker and he let Allen have the floor.
In his maiden speech, Allen called for money to improve the Tombigbee River in his state, and when he finished, he announced: “Now, Mr. Speaker, having fully answered all the arguments of my opponents, I will retire to the cloakroom for a few moments to receive the congratulations of admiring friends.”
The House rocked with laughter, and after that looked forward to Allen’s performances.
Source:
Boller, Paul F. “Comedy.” Congressional Anecdotes. New York: Oxford UP, 1991. 152. Print.
Original Source Listed:
Champ Clark, My Quarter Century of American Politics, 2 vols. (New York, 1920), 11, 201.
Further Reading:
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