Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-01-25

Whenever the subject in hand is
not interesting, and the senator who
is wound up is not an entertaining
speaker, most Of the senators stroll
out to the retiring room to smoke or
sit at their desks and write letters
until it is all over. The passage-at-
arms between senators are usually
mild in character. On one occasion
when a senator had finished speaking
another opposed to him in the argu-
ment remarked that sit is generally
understood the gentleman rests his
mind while talklng;" to which the
other retorted with: ''The gentleman
reminds me of sterile tract of land
in Virginia, which was said to be
poor by nature and exhausted by
cultivation"
The 10th congress is how fully en-
tered upon its first session. The
members all came back from their
constituents after the holiday recess
with pockets and gripsacks stuffed
with bills were launched upon the
legislative sea, in the house of repre-
sentatlves alone. These, with the
969 introduced in a single day be-
fore the recess, make in round num-
bers about 1900 measures offered
for consideration thus early in the
session.
The average congressman's ideas
of usefulness connects itself with
bills, and his great remedy for all
political and social defects is bills.
Nearly every member has dozen or
two pet measures, and the member
who does not PROFOUND his share of
these conundrums is popularity sup
posed to represent case of misplace
ed confidence on the part of his con-
stituents.
The last congress was particular
ly prolific in bills. On the first bill
day in that congress 781 bills were
introduced with the call of states
only half finished, and when the call
had been CON pleted, the next Mon
day the aggregate reached 1873.
The total for the entire congress was
$3.50. This beat the record up to
that time, but the present congress
with its increased membership prom
ises to take a good lead over the
achievement.
1t is the house of representatives
that furnishes most of the entertain
ment for those who observe the
course of legislation from the CALLER
les. Among residents of Washing
ton the house is frequently termed
the ''bear garden" and it often re-
sembles something of that descrip-
| ton. Scenes are often enacted in
the hall which can only be compared
| to bedlam let loose 1t is always
more or less in a state of confusion.
Members as a rule take no interest
in the proceedings except when an
exciting political discussion is going
On.
When the house is full there are
over 800 gentleman, variously oc-
cupied, On the floor of the hall. They
are reading the newspapers, chatting
with each other. writing letters, col.
lecting material for speeches, exam
lining bills, and doing almost every
thing but listening to the proceed.
ings. At times the confusion is sc
great that an unsophisticated person
coming upon the scene for the first
time in his life, would fancy that the
house was taking recess, and thai
no business was under consideration
During what is called ''the morn
ing hour" which comes immediately
after the reading of the journal, res
olutions may be offered or motions te
suspend the rules to take up certain
matters may be made and that hour
is prolific season Of lively passages
Before making a motion or Offering
resolution it is necessary that the
member should be recognized by the
speaker and given the floor. Tha
trick of catching the speakers eye
is one of the hardest things new
member has to learn. 1t is no un
usual thing to see member rise il
his place and cry MIR. Speaker
time after time for days in succession
without even being noticed.
When Sam. Randall was speake
he would seldom allow membe
whose designs he did not know t,
have an opportunity to drop bomb
shells" into the camp. He woult
persistently fail to see or hear
member whom he suspected of
purpose to introduce politics or othe
subjects inimical to himeelf or party
Mr.. Blaine, as speaker had the sam
shrewdness. 1t is customary 70
members WHO understand their bpsi
ness TO confer with the speaker be
fore tue session opens. explain thei
t purpose and get his promise to rec