The Monitor-register., 1896-01-31

ry Or the weather is very bad he walks at
least half way to the capitol every morn
ing. II the weather is bad he sometimes
calls hanson cab. He objects to the four
wheeler because he usually bumps his
head getting into it, and because it does
not give him the free view of the avenue
which he can get from hanson. Some
times he takes a cable Car at the treasury
department corner, one block below the
Shoreham.
He Walks to the Capitol.
This morning the sky is clear, and Mr..
Reed walks ponderously and slow, as one
Of his peculiar build must walk. He walks
alone, as usual, his hands clasped behind
his back. Occasionally he meets familiar
figure, and his right hand goes up to-
ward his head and swings in a sweeping
arc as he salutes. There is slight incli-
nation of the head and solemn "Good
m6rningr' But Mr.. Reed wastes no
smiles. Occasionally the speaker stops
and looks at the display in shop window
"a trick which ex-senator Ingalls, had
when he was here
Mr.. Reed proceeds along the avenue at
leisurely pace. Usually he takes cable
car at -Four and Half street, but this
morning is rather mild, he is feeling un-
usually well, and he keeps ON to the end
of the avenue, past the Peace monuments
and up the incline which leads to the ter
race steps. No doubt, as he views the
steep ascent, he regrets his determination
to walk, but it is too late to turn back,
and he attacks the first flight of steps, 60
ing up over the wooden blanket which
covers narrow pathway in the marble in
the winter months. The second flight is
taken little more laboriously, and the
speaker stops on the top STEP draws long
breath and turns to look back over the
city. One of the most beautiful views Of
Washington is to be had from this terrace,
and Mr.. Reed is very fond of studying it,
A shorter flight Of steps reaches the
promenade which encircles the building
Mr.. Reed mounts these steps and follows
the path marked by cracked and shriyeled
composition paving to the south wing of
the capitol. A half dozen steps are at the
entrance. A double swinging door opens
on hallway, in which turn to the right
brings the speaker in few steps to pri-
vate passage way running east and west.
Through this he comes to the private stair
way. The elevator is just beyond, but he
is out for exercise this morning, and HI
mounts the private stairway.
The door of the speaker room flies open
as he appears. The messenger follows him
into the room and takes his hat and coat
as he doffs them. Half dozen men are
sitting around the room. The speaker de-
liyers a comprehensive "Good morning!'
to them as he takes out his handkerchief
and wipes the perspiration from his brow.
The first in line is a member of the
house who wants to be recognized to
make motion. The speaker mods assent
and makes memorandum of his name
He is dismissed very quickly. The next
Is member of the committee on rules
who wants brief private conference
The speaker takes him over to corner OF
the room and talks with him In an under
tone for few minutes. Then he goes
out, and Mr.. Reed turns to the next per-
son, q stranger to him, who has bill
which he hopes may be put through. The
speaker tells him kindly, but firmly, that
he has no power in the matter; that the
bill must go TO the appropriate committee.
But he adds note of warning-this is
going to be hard congress to get any
money from, he says. The stranger dis
appears through the doorway, and mem
ber who has just come in appeals to the
speaker for better quarters for his commit
tee. The speaker makes an appointments
with him for later hour.
A senator appears in the doorway with
family party-a man, his wife and their
daughter-who want to shake hands with
the speaker. Mr.. Reed does not send them
away with mere handshake. He stands
and talks with them for few minutes,
and now his face lights up, his eyes twin
kfe, and he smiles for the first time.
''''' ''' The oficiaI Day Begins.
An electric bell in a corner of the room
rings sharp warning II Is noon, tia
hour when the house assemblies. Me. Reed
makes hurried excuses and bids his visit
ors good day. Then he goes through the
broad passageway between the lobby and
the hall of the house, passes the swinging
baize and glass door, mounts the steps Of
the rostrum and takes the familiar gavel
in his hand. The machinery is all ready
to set in motion. The chaplain is at the
clerks desk The reporters are in their
places. The assistant sergeant-at-arms is
ready to put the peace compelling mace in
It's place 'as the speakers right. The desk
clerk; who is the speakers assistant eyes
and ears, stands expectant. Few members
are in their seats when the gavel falls, and
with the sound conversation ceases.
y 1.-THE house will be in order, !" says the
sharp, clear, nasal voice of the speaker.
Then he announces the chaplain, who de-
nvers brief invocation, the speaker and
most Of the membess remaining on their
feet. The invocation concluded, the speak
er sits down and announces the reading Of
the journal of the preceding day, and so
the routine of the days business is taken |
up.
As rule, tine business of the day is |
mapped out in advance. II has been
planned by the committee on rules that 4
certain bill shall be taken up and debated
for an agreed time, and the speaker has
on his desk list of the men who are to be
recognized to speak. II the bill is to ba
debated in committee of the whole, .
chairman of the committee is named by
the speaker, and until the committee rises
and this may occur at almost any min
ute-the speaker is Free But he must be
within call.
There is morning business, in various