Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-03-30
The National House Or Representatives.

The national House OF Represents
tives presents, in many respects. q
striking contrast To the Senate. The
apartment in which tho popular branch
meets Ia the Capitol is much more spa.
cious and more richly adorned. A
vast, square room, lighted by large
skylights in the ceiling, with broad
galleries extending down on all four
sides, and the desks ranged, as in the
Senate, in q wide semi circle two
white marble desks, or tables, rising
one behind the other opposite the
members seats green carpet and all
the furniture Of light wood these are
the first general features which strike
the eye.
Above the white marble table at which
the speaker sits, two American flags are
crossed, and above them is a gilded
eagle with outstretched wings. On
either side of the speaker may be seen
full-length portraits Of Washington
and Lafayette, while on every hand is
profusion Of rather gaudy frescoing,
gliding and dainty decoration.
But the attention Of the stranger,
who has taken his seat in one of the
galleries, is soon Withdrawn from the
inanimate features OF the scene to its
living and bustling occupants. It is 8
scene Of hubbub, confusion snd noise.
The members flock in and Ioll in their
seats IN oil sorts of postures, or pass
up and down the aisles, or chat in
groups in every part Of the hall.
Even when the speaker has called
The house to order and the business of
the day has begun, the hustle and
noise continue. Loud as the speaker
or the clerks may speak, frequent as
may be the raps of the gavel on the
marble table, the apparent confusion
does not subside.
There is q continual buzz, mingled
with the occasional eager conflict Of
half-a-dozen members, who rise stimuli
taneously, shout and wave their arms
towards the chair, and say in every way
to catch the speakers eye.
The members of the house do not, as
do the members Of tie English House
Of Commons, wear their hats while sit
ting in their seats. But otherwise their
manners are. to express it mildly. easy
and informal. Now and then you will
see a member with his legs stretched
high upon his desk.
You observe another putting his
cigar right under the speakers nose.
In the midst Of business you will per-
chance note group who are cracking
jokes with each other, and laughing
heartily at each humorous sally.
You wonder how any bneiness can ad-
vance in the midst OF such scene; yet
amid all the confusion motions are
made, bills or resolutions are read by
the clerk, and questions are put from
the chair, and thus the affairs Of legis-
lation 60 on.
Occasionally, when some noted mem
Der is speaking, the House becomes
hushed and intent, and calm comes
over the scene. Members huddle close
in the chairs Immediately around the
speaker, and what he says is distinctly
heard III the galIaries. But there are
few members who can command thus
the attention of their colleagues; and a
dull speaker is sure to be impeded by
the noise, or to be left in q thin House
to conclude his effort.
When you have observed the general
aspect Of the house, you begin to pick
out, by means OF the plan of seats which
you have bought for the purpose, the
more eminent politicians to be seen in
the House.
He is almost as thin and gaunt as 8
skeleton; his face is Of deathly yellow.
white; his skin looks dead and dry; his
eyes are black and bright; his grayish-
white hair falls in long locks down his
neck.
Yet his movements are active and ner
yous, and he is constantly wheeling hi
chair suddenly and quickly from one
side Of the open space to the other. Yot
learn that this singular figure is no lesl
than Alexander a, Stephens, once the
Vice President Of the Southern Confed
eracy, now amember from Georgia, ant
by all odds the most distinguished
member of the House. When Mr..
Stephens speaks, he continues sitting il
his chair, which, when he becomes ex
cited with his subject, he nervouslJ
jerks hither and thither. His voice il
high and shrill, and can be distinctly
heard in every part Of the vast hall.
It is interesting to sit for while anc
watch the proceedings Of this noisy as.
sembly, and to reflect that here tht
laws Of q nation Of fifty millions Of peo
pie are made; but one soon tires Of til
hubbub, and the novelty vanishes, ant
it is relief to return to the galleries Of
the more quite, sedate and dignitie,
Senate, - Youths Companion
Two Stories.
In trial before q justice at Dodg'
City, Kansas, witness who was being