Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-02-03
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

CODQuCt OF our uatiOuoi pcPieochsS
tives. 1t doesn't appear as IL impor
tant business is being transacted
The chamber Is q fine, large room
with galleries all around it. Looking
down upon the floor you see several
hundred desks, but there Is not q
member at every one of thsm-from
one-fourth to one-hslf of them only
are occupied. Some Of the Congress
men are writing, some are reading
newspapers, some are looking over
reports or bills, many are chatting to-
gether in little groups, while perhaps
half q dozen are listening to a speech
someone is making. Speaker Crisp.
a rather fine-looking man, is sitting
in his chair, looking greatly bored,
and is apparently glad to often have
his attention called by messengers or
members. Presently he seems to
grow weary of the speech that is be-
ing addressed to HINT sabout some
sort OF an Indian question-and call
ing another Congressman to the chair
he disappears through a side door.
A sort of subdued roar or intensified
murmur comes up to the galleries,
disturbed by the clapping OF hands
as members attract the attention OF
pages.
All the members do not appear to
be possessed of good manners. Some
of them have their feet on their desks,
with their heels higher than their
heads. Others are in attitudes unre-
fined, to say the least. They evident
ly are regardless Of the fact that there
are ladies in the gallery.
Back OF the desks, behind row OF
screens, are lounges and chairs, where
groups OF Congressman are smoking
and chewing tobacco AID having In
teresting confsbs. Some old dodgers
are lying at full length on the sofas,
TRANQUILITY putting at a cigar. There
must be some good yarns told In
these little circles, for loud laughter
can be heard occasionally.
AS before remarked, probably not
one-half of the member are in their
places. Yet you may see many nota-
bles there. For instance, big Tom
Reed, the famous ex-Speaker, comes
strolling in, q striking figure. Tall
and broad, with shining pate, and a
fat, slippery sort Of a face, he swings
along as though his legs were little
too light for the rest OF him. When
he sits down he completely fills q
chair. He is q Yankee OF the Yankees
in all his ways.
Judge Holman, "the watchdog OF
the Treasury" is lean-looking gen.
tleman who has been obliged In his
capacity OF protector ofpublic money
to do SO many disagreeable things he
has gotten a fixed sourness upon his
face. He looks as if joke would
give him a pain. He is a useful man,
but he is neither popular or pretty.
Mr.. VIM. P. G. Breckenridge is a
handsome man, with fine hair and
beard like spun silver, and OF refined,
aristocratic appearance and polished
manner. His voice, too, is silver, and
be is one OF the most graceful orators
in the House.
Julius Caesar Burrows, who is
sometimes called the calliope of Kala-
mazoo, il a fne-looking man and
quite important looking. He doubt
less thinks so, too, as he acts as If he
could run Congress himself.
General Harry Bingham, Of Phila-
delphia, is really funny. He is dap
per little man, with bald head, and
a quick, nervous, precise manner. He
wears eyeglasses and long frock
coat and high hat. When he walks
you would be surprised that he does
not stop and jump up and crack his
heels together. He looks as though
he was surely going to perform this
feat.
New York has some big guns in the
House. Bourks Cochran, the Tam
many boss, is . plain-looking man.
He wears a business suit and he has q
business air about him. He has q
very large head, and determination
and solidity are apparent in every
line OF his sturdy figure. Col. Fellows,
a splendid orator and one Of the big
men Of Tammany Hall, has fine
head covered with curly hair. Col.
Fellows tapers from his head down
ward. Amos j. Cummings, a news
paper man and a correspondent OF
the New York Sun, is a big, broad
shouldered man. He amused himself
by lolling in a chair, smoking and
reading a newspaper.
None of our West Virginia Con-
gressmen was in his place. They are
not triflers, though, and were prob
ably busy on committee or other
work.
1t is interesting to observe the
scenes In the lobby adjoining the sew
eral entrances to the House. In every
nook and corner you may see Con
gresham being button-holed by one
Of his constituents. Here is an elder
ly man in somewhat seedy clothes
talking earnestly to a Representative
probably after his vote on some
measure or his influence to get q
place. In a recess by window .
young woman is eagerly conversing
with tall member who mods his head
in apparent approval. Then there
are many visitors who have come
l. H.