Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-13
HOW CONGRES6NEN sPEAK.
The Way Members Give WeenaoE ef .
Coming Speech-Congressiona stage
RHaRht-

The most nervous moment for new member
Of Congress isjust before he Is to make speech.
Many of the old members, even, are seized with
sstage fright"
The idea that the official reporters have
ears for the whole country, gives every speaker
an uncomfortably large audience. Some mem
bers are anxious at all times to get in the
Record; but these men generally do not make
speeches. They simply interrupt others to ask
Neutrality-suspicious. very silly ones-or 70
make objections, thus getting their names In
the Record with an appearance of great activity.
When he is about to make an ambitious effort
the feeling Of the member may be judged by
one watching from the gallery. The moment
the speech Strikes him you can TELL and 1t is
TEN. An Old member-one Of the abIest in the
House, who never says anything that Is not to
the point, and given with vigor, told STAR
afraid to speak at isn't that I think that the
average member knows any more than do, "
he said, "but take them altogether they know a
great deal. Too much for any one man."
bow THEY GO ABOUT IT.
Each man has his peculiar way of going about
It. You can't tell when Randall or Morrison
are going to speak until they are pretty well on
towards their remarks. Morrison always stands
for moment halfway down the second aisle on
the democratic side, with hands on the desks
on either side. Then he speaks with delibera
the speaker when much in earnest. He is al
ways soon through. Randall always speaks
from behind his own desk, and makes no prelin1-
mary movement. Hewitt is probably the only
other who speaks entirely without warning. He
goes off like powder; all in an instant. Some
members load their desks for a speech; some
load themselves. Some times three or four
desks give warning of speeches. They are piled
up with Congressional records, revised statutes
official reports, newspaper clippings, and on tor
OF all huge rolls OF manuscript. These are
always threatening. When q speech Is too full
OF dry matter to find room inside the orator
and must be given storage" on his desk, other
room.
KEEPING UNDER COVER.
Some members of experience put all this
material inside their desks, and look very in
nocent, as If they we're not going to say much
Then they take out a little at a time. There If
he is loaded with speech. HIS entire manner
is different from the ordinary. Some men,
ordinarily stiff, seem TO unlock all their Gas
Jennings, while lOOse-jointed men get stiff
Butterworth, of Ohio, is one of those who limb
ers up to q speech. For few moments before
he begins he seems to be engaged in unlacine
himself and limbering his joints, as an athlete
who is about to make a wonderful leap. He
crouches low in his desk and waits his chance
hs face bGghts ems the part gets out Of his
He stretches out his arms and legs, works his
shoulders to see that every joint is free: and
when he gets mp to speak he is like willow
His body responds to every expression, and he
burs himself at his audience, and there is ex.
preston in every motion.
IRREGULARITIES OF MEMBERS.
Last session there a man in the House
who used to walk bark and forth around the
semicircle back OF the members seats, running
his hands through his hair, for fifteen or twenty
minutes before making speech. Some mem
bers walk two or three times past the Speakers
desk before they try to catch his eye. Some
stand up in their places clear their Threats sew
eral times, pull up their sleeves, button their
cuffs, feel their tie, open and shut their desks
two or three times, and then walk down the
aisle little way and say "Mr. Speaker" Some
particular IT, but Se You ean tell they are going to
speak by the nervous chances they throw up al
the Speaker. Some will make eyes at the
his. You can tell when some men are going te
speak because they look frightened. Others
you know are going to taik-because they
always do when they get chance