In November, 1884, the Constitution christened its new building with the first news of Cleveland’s election. The Legislature then in session filled the Constitution building at night, eagerly and enthusiastically watching the returns. When at last one morning the result was definitely known, a joyous party went from the Constitution building to the Capitol, where occurred the memorable scene when Mr. Grady adjourned the Legislature.
A great crowd had collected about the Constitution office, and when at eleven o’clock A.M. it was known beyond a doubt that Cleveland was elected, a brass band was brought up, and Mr. Grady and Captain Howell headed the procession. The march through town was hilarious and exultant. The crowd carried a huge can of red paint which was lavishly applied to sidewalks and prominent objects on the line of march. When the procession passed up Marietta Street its enthusiasm led it into the Capitol where the Legislature was in session. Leading the head of the procession to the hall of the House of Representatives, Mr. Grady passed by the door-keeper into the main aisle. Colonel Lucius Lamar, of Pulaski, a man of imposing presence, was in the chair. His long hair fell over his shoulders, and his bearing was magnificent. Advancing down the aisle Mr. Grady paused and, in the stately formula of the door-keeper, cried, with the most imposing and dramatic manner:
“Mr. Speaker; A message from the American people.”
Catching the spirit of the invasion, the dignified Speaker said solemnly:
“Let it be received.”
With that Mr. Grady pressed up to the speaker’s chair, and quickly wresting the gavel from his hand, cried in imposing and exultant tones:
“In the name of God and the American people, I declare this House adjourned to celebrate the election of Grover Cleveland, the first Democratic President in twenty-four years.”
At this there was a whirlwind of applause, and the House broke up with the wildest enthusiasm.
Mr. Grady often said that he and Oliver Cromwell were the only two men who ever adjourned a legislative body in that style.
From the occupation of the new building the Constitution took on tremendous growth. Mr. Grady had conceived an idea of making the greatest weekly in America, and since 1881 that edition had grown prodigiously. When it was enlarged to a twelve-page form in 1881, it had only 7200 subscribers. Special contributors were engaged, special correspondents were sent out, and a picket line of local agents was thrown out all over the South, while sample copies were doing missionary work in the northwest. The first year the circulation jumped to 20,000, the next to 35,000, and when the Constitution went into its new building in 1884 the 50,000 mark was reached. In 1887 the weekly passed 100,000, receiving 20,000 subscribers in December. In December, 1889, while Mr. Grady was in Boston, the paper broke the record with 20,000 subscribers in one day. During the month 27,000 subscriptions were received, and now the circulation is 146,000, of which 140,000 are subscribers and about 6000 sample copies.