Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-02-09
PICTURES FROM THE HOUSE.
A Correspondent Looks Down Upon Go
gressmen From the Gallery.

a correspondent LOOKS Down upon on
gressmen From the Gallery.
In Washington letter to the Cincinnati
Enquirer appear some impressions of q
visit to the house of representatives. The
correspondent says: As you look on this
immense floor, with its green carpet light
ened with little green stars; the giltand buff
walls reaching to the galleries; the galleries
deep, comfortable and drinking up sound
hungrily; the deep-embossed ceiling with
symbols painted on glass: the oak clock OPP
posite the speaker. in the gallery, support
ed by the Indian and hunter, and domin-
ated by 3 spread eagle of bronze, you are
first astonished at the want of odor-at the
running of dozen pages up and down; the
conversation of members standing up or
leaning over each other; the indifference of
many members to the proceedings as they
write letters, read newspapers, or clap their
hands for page; and at the intruders, the
ex-members, the judges, the committee
clerks standing around or loafng on the
back seats and under the galleries. You
see at the open doors people coming in,
rushing out, dropping into the smoking
rooms, which gap out like little cabins or
coves; ana next you hear the speaker from
his high box, with the gavel forever in his
hand or near it, calling out this or that; and
then clerk in resonant voice, which
sounds above everything, you say to your
self; How do they understand anything
here2 Can they do business at ALP What
q hall to ruin the human voice inl'
Observe that young man with the slight
limbs, slight figure, and rather miniature
every way, sitting in one of the groups in
front, with rather fine head, the eyes of a
student Cooking little sore, as if by night
work., and black hair on high, pale fore
head. 1t is Percy Belmont, son of the New
York banker. just past his thirtieth year,
and out of Harvard College nine years ago,
he beat, by some 9, 600 votes, the descend
ant of Rufus King, the first senator from
New York state. Unobtrusive, modest, with
becoming spirit of New York quiet nature,
aud also very anxious to attain something
in congress for his family name and the
progress of events, young Belmont up to
the present time has not provoked single
crit cism upon his manners.
Now take that man with the red hair,
with long tuft of red beard, tall, wiry
figure, rapid and nervous actions of the
bands, bald-topped head, with red streaks
of hair crossing il; that is James Belford,
the only representative on the floor of the
youngest state in the Union. Lean as he
is you could make two or three Belmonts
out of him. He is only fourty- four years
old, free fellow, q student, positive. indif-
ferent about forms, feeling his liquor
quickly, if he takes any, and he can
do more work in twelve hours
than the whole Massachusetts, delegation,
because he represents the community with
work TO do, with ten thousand interests ly-
ing directly on this government. Our West
ern Congressman carry their indifference of
dress and appearance to such extremes that
a Frenchman whom I once brought here to
make some sketches as an artist remarked:
"Are these congressman? My Godl They
| look like bisonsl"
! Turn now to third type of o man. On
one of the rear seats. far off from your eye,
you easily distinguish man of most erect
bearing, with rich, black beard, dark,
yet pale skin, very black hair, and wearing
suit Of cloth beneath which you see small,
peculiar feet in shapely boots. This is the
only Spaniard in this congress, or, rather,
Mexican-Romualdo Pacheco-one of the
four California representa- YES. Yonder is
man named Dunnell, from Minnesota.
| He is six footer, with huge, broad shout
ders, and loud speaker, with ideas Of the
! senate and Of various things.