River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-09-06
PICTURES FROM THE HOUSE:
A Correspondents Looks Down Upon Co
gressmen From the Gallery.

A Correspondent Looks Down Upon ton
gressmen From the Gallery.
In Washington letter TO the Cincinnati
Enquirer appear some impressions OF
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 gilt and bur
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 q hunter, and domln-
ated by 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 OF
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 tho open doors people coming IN,
rushing out, dropping into the smoking
rooms, which gap out like little cabins or
coyes; and 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 a clerk in a resonant voice, which
sounds above everything. you say to Tour-
self; How do they understand anything
here2 Can they do business at all2 What
q hall TO ruin the human voice inP'
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 q
student Cooking little sore, as if by night
work., ana black hair on a 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 2, 900 votes. the descend
ant of Rufus King, the first senator from
| New York state. Unobtrusive, modest, with
becoming spirit of New Yorf quiet nature,
AID 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 a single
criticism upon his manners
Noa take that man with the red hair,
| with I. long tuft of red beard, tall, wiry
! figure, rapid and nervous actions of the
| hands, bald-t topped head, with red streaks
! of hair crossing it; that is Jan es belford,
| the only representative on the floor OF the
Youngest state in the Union. Lean as he
| is you could make two or three BeimOnts
| out of him He is only fourty- -four years
| old, a free fellow, student, positive, l1dlt-
ferent about forms, feeling his liquor
| quickly, if he takes any, aud 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 ~
ing directly on this government. Our West
ern Congressman carry their indifference OF
dress and appearance TO such extremes thai
| Frenchman whom once brought here &c
make some sketches as an artist remarked
"Are these congressman My Godl They
| look like bisonsl"
Turn now to third type of 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
| a 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 representatives. Yonder Is
man named Duhnell, from Minnesota
He is a six footer, with huge, broad shout
ders, and loud speaker, with ideas OF the
senate and of various things.