Morning journal and courier., 1885-02-25

struck by the appearance of baroness in this
place despite the glowing tints of the big
paintings which surround it, and the clumsy
| frame of rickety timbers which serves as
| platform for the artist who is still engaged
| on the frescoes detracts nothing from this
| sensation. The work on these frescoes has
been going on for years and the circuit of
| the rotunda is about three-fourths completed,
| but for some time the artist has been idle,
| and he gave the lack of incidents in the
American history worthy of place in the
design as reason for the non-completion of
the work; and probably he will wait, at his
| usual salary, until the Unites States awakes
| to the fact that something heroic or historic
must be perpetuated to furnish a subject for
| the hiatus.
| With good fortune the visitor may find
| the Senate galleries open, and enjoy the pc
culiar pleasure of inspecting the noted men
| of the country like many strange animals
shut in huge cage. It is convenient to be
| accompanied by an obliging friend who can
| point out the special rarities, but their iden-
| tiications should not always be accepted as
authoritative, as frequently Senators innocent
| of fame are made to serve as Bayards or Gar
| lands in the absence of the originals
But the Senate galleries are often found
closed as the Senate has habit of seclusion
OF exclusion, usually in the afternoon going
| into executive session, during which the
tecedents and character of aspirants for gov
ernment employ are discussed, frequently
with freedom of expression which might be
painful or mortifying to the feelings of the
aspirant or his friends; hence, at such times,
all visitors are turned out, as though the
Senate were about to engage in solemn rites
which it would be sacrilege for stranger
to- witness.
The House, consistently with its more
democratic character, is always free to all,
no matter how interesting or personal the
proceedings may be, but after the novelty of
the first visit is gone one may find it very
dull.
The member from Buncombe may be plow-
ing through pile of manuscript, happy in
the thought that his ''speech" will be printed
in the Congressional Record next morning
though not half dozen people are listening
to him; or one may happen upon exciting
tilt between two brilliant members or fac
tions, and when anything of that kind is an
ticipated the galleries always crowded
with expectant people patiently waiting for
the battle. During sessions the House is
never oppressively dignifed. Easy attitudes
and do-as-you-please air characterize the
body. 1t is considered correct to smoke,
chat, and joke during the most important
legislation. Frequently the confusion is
great upon the floor few but the official stem
ographers who crowd about the speakers hear
what is said. The sharp hand-clap of some
impatient member who desires the services
of one of the bright little House pages, crowd
ed about the steps of the Speakers desk, is
common sound, but this annoyance is about
to be ended, we believe, by the introduction
of electric bells connected with each desk.
The congressman most frequent
Iy pointed out to visitors, or
whom visitors wish to see, naturally
Randall and Carlisle Carlisle frequently
does not occupy the Speakers desk even when
present. Blackburn, of Kentucky, probably
spends nearly as much time there as the
speaker himself, aad he makes a very ener
getic and effective chairman. S. S. Cox, of
New York, is popular with the galleries and
always attracts fun-loving audience when
it is known he is to speak He is small,
quick man, slightly bald, with beard of
military cut, and he usually seems busily en-
gagged in conducting an extended correspond
ence. He occasionally interrupts the pro-
ceedings with a witty remark. The follow
ing will serve example of his audacity
and frankness: During discussion of the
manner of distributing desks on the floor of
the House, he arose and said that in his opln-
ion members should be allowed to consult
their preferences in the choice of seats. He
for one would like his up there behind the
clerk k,-a very frank avowal of Speakership
aspirations.
Congressman Belford of Colorado, OF
'tJim'' Belford as he is familiarly known, is
one of the oddities of the place. He struts
about, conspicuous by his flaming red hair
and beard, with the genuine western "Im-as-
good you are -if-not-better" air. and some
times makes speeches which serve as a funny
column for the Record. If the reader is Gu
rious enough to examine the recent issues of
that interesting periodical, he will find a
striking sample of them, one which was ac
companied by so much confusion and laugh
ter the reporters of the daily papers were un-
able to obtain it until the Record appeared. |
Willis, of Kentucky, chairman of the Com |
mittee on Rivers and Harbcrs, is frequently |
heard during debate. He is a small black |
bearded man, with STOPPING shoulders, and is |
usually wandering about the floor as though |
looking for something: He is very quick to |
resent any criticism of the work of his com |
mittee. Randall, of Penn, the leader of the |
Democrats, is probably one of the hardest |
worked men in the Capitol His position as |
head of the Committee OF Appropriations re |
quires a vast amount of practical knowledge |
of the details of the great departments of the |
government, and besides is the one most ex- |
posed to the criticisms of the daily press. 1t |
also draws upon him the petty spite OF de- |
partment employees, whose appropriations are |
often, to them, frightfully contracted, and |
who angrily accuse him of stinginess and va
rious other unpopular traits.
Reed, of Maine, is much the recognized |
leader of 5he Republican side of the House as |
Randall on the Democratic. He is a ready |
and cutting speaker, and has few equals in |
debate.
Recently the amount of work before the |
House has been SO enormous, and the time be-
fore adjournment so brief, that evening ses-
sions, all-night sessions and Sunday sessions |
have been held and every effort is being made |
to finish the necessary business in time. Dem |
ocrats have been accusing Republicans oftry- |
ing to delay and hinder legislation and hence |
are regular in attendance and attention to |
prevent any flibustering. The Capitol is |
crowded every day and the numbers daily in |
crease as the 4th of March approaches There |
is every indication of brilliant and success |
full Inauguration. The new Pension build |
ing, though now in very chaotic state, will /
undoubtedly be ready for the ball in Cleve- |
lands honor, and desirable windows and bal |
comics on Pennsylvania avenue already |
selling for s5 seat, and stands are being |
erected all along the line to be passed by the |
procession, which, considering the number of |
organizations who 'thave announced their in \
tention to be present." will rival any previ
Gus one A. H. B.