We have here a modification of an old Democratic Party tradition, i.e., the “disappearing quorum.” This was often used by the Democratic minority, especially the southern bloc, to force the House to suspend business. Rather than fleeing to the bars and brothels of Washington they would simply refuse to answer the quorum call.

Maine’s greatest statesman, Thomas Brackett Reed solved the problem simply by instructing the clerk to count everyone present who was present whether they chose signify their presence of not.

He also ordered the doors to be locked (although one sturdy Texas Rep. managed to escape by kicking the door down) and those hiding under their desks could not elude his eagle eye. Screams, insults, frothing rage, threats, physical confrontations were all equally unavailing. Reed was six feet, six inches tall, 350 pounds and not easily intimidated by pygmies and midgets.