Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1894-11-16
The Pages Of Congress.

Fifty OF the brightest boys OF the
United States are employed at the
National Capitol as pages to the Forty
ninth Congress. Little fellows Of from
twelve to sixteen years of age, each
with round, shining silver badge on
the lapel of his coat labeled with his
number, they run in and out OF the
halls, now darling through the aisles
under the very nose of a member who
is makinga great speech, now carrying
great a-mfuls of books to one Congress
man, and now taking letter to post
for another. or bringing glass Of
water to the man who is speaking.
Here one is moving about with a
great album in which he asks each of
she members to write his name; and
there, others are busy taking the cards
OF ladies in the reception rooms to
some Congressman whom they wish to
call out.
The pages of Congress are gathered
from the four quarters of the United
States. They arc chosen by the ser
geants-at- of each House, and rep
resent nearly every State. The pay Of
a page is $3.50 day, for the session,
including Sundays. though there is no
work for them that day. They gener-
orally save some of their money, but
they must spend enough of it to keep
themselves well dressed. They do not
have very hard time, and on ordinary
days their hours are from 8 o'clock un-
til the House adjourns at 4 or 5. About
half of their Saturdays are holidays, as
the Congress often adjourns from Fri
day over to Monday.
The daily sessions begin at noon.
but the boys must be present earlier,
and file each Congressman $ bills for
him. After Congress meets they have
plenty to do in running errands.
During night session they grow very
sleepy. and as a general thing they are
not asked to remain. When a mem
Der wants page he claps his hands,
and the pages, who, when not busy.
are generally standing about the
clerks sesk in front OF the House, or
sitting q the stairs leading to the
Speakers chair, run to him for their
orders.
Is the position a good one for the
boys? Well, on the whole, and for,
perhaps, one session, yes. Their as
socations are not bad. and if bad boys
are discovered among those chosen,
thay are quickly dismissed for fear they
may corrupt the others. The duties of
a page compel him to be polite and
gentlemanly, and he learns a great
deal During the recesscs of the House
they often discuss among themselves
bills and questions which would be
thought beyond their comprehension,
and they delight in aping their con-
gressional masters.
There are thirfy-six pages in the
House of Representatives. and four
teen in the Senate. Two of the House
pages are mounted. and it is their duty
to carry letters and messages on horse
back for Congressman from the Capt.
tol building to all parts of the city.
They ride to the Capitol. put the letters
in a leather pouch, which they carry by
a strap across their shoulders, and then
ride off for answers to them.
Sometimes these boys carry notes to
the President, sometimes to the Secre-
tary of War, sometimes to the Attor-
ney General. and in fact. to all the
great departments of the Government.
They enjoy their work, and they are 4
little envied hy the boys who stay I'M
der cover Speaker Carlisle, the tall.
grave. smooth-faced man who presides
over the House, has 4 page for himself.
as have also the Sergeant-at-Arms OF
the House its clerk.
Often before the House and Senate
meet, they hold a miniature Congress
of their own. One OF the boys gets into
the speaker chair, and holds the ivory
gavcl, another stands as clerk below
behind the clerks desk. while Others
scattered about the room make speeches
just as the Congressman will do an
hour later.
The prince of pages and the father
of them all is Isaac Bassett, who now
has charge of the pages of the Senate
as the assistant doorkceper. Fifty-iivc
years ago, when he was Il black-haired
boy OF twelve. Daniel Webster. then Il
Senator. took him on his knee, and
asked him if he would not like TO be !,
page. He has been in the employ of
the Senate evet since, and during his
whole service he has not been absent
from duty twenty days. Iouths Com
ponion.