Page:The gold brick (1910).djvu/118

 *pel order in that bear-pit when he wanted to, and he never raised his voice to do it either, only his eye, and the gavel. And so, when they were quiet, he said: 'The question is: Shall the house concur with the senate in the passage of senate bill No. 106, notwithstanding the objections of the governor?'

"The house tried to break away from him again, but he held it in his gavel fist, drawing the curb tight, and turned to recognize old Long John Riley, who was standing like a tall tree beside his desk, with his hand upraised.

"'The gentleman from Cook!'

"'Mr. Speaker,' said Riley, 'I move the previous question.'

"There was another roar, but 'Zeke's gavel fell, and his eyes blazed black again, and he said:

"'The gentleman from Cook moves the previous question, and the question is: Shall the main question be now put? Those in favor of this question will say aye'—there was a roar of ayes—'and those opposed will say no.' There was a heavier roar of noes, and then came the old cry: 'Ayes and noes, ayes and noes, Mr. Speaker, ayes and noes, damn you, don't you dare to shut off debate!' But 'Zeke