The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-25

der. 1t may be unfinished business.
or privileged matters may come to the
front. Whatever is taken up is sure to
lead to discussion. Half the mem
bers of the house begin to write letters
or read newspapers. When a debate
ensues, they stop writing and listen
for minute to the orator. If it con-
Germs something in which they are in
terested, they move near him and pos
sibly participate in the discussion.
1T not, they resume answers to CORE =
spondents and the reading Of their
newspapers.
A vote Of the house always attracts
attention. Members listen for the call
ing of their names, and frequently lose
the run of the call while in conversa-
ton with their colleagues AS the vote
is about to be announced some repre-
sentative usually appears in the area.
saying: MIR. Speaker, 1 desire TO
vote"
AT this Mr. Reed, in accordance with
the rules. asks: Was the gentleman
In the hall when his name was called p"
If the reply is in the affirmative the
speaker gazes steadily at the repre-
sentative, and inquiries: WAS the gem
tleman listening and failed to hear his
name called?"
If the answer is still in the affirma-
tive the speaker stares at him, survey
ing him from head to foot for twenty
or more seconds, and then, apparently
half satisfied that the gentleman has
told the truth, he says: 1.-The clerk
will call the name of the gentleman"
When this is done the answer comes
AYE" or mo, land is recorded on the
tally-Sheet. The clerk then tabulates
the vote, and passes it to the speaker
on a slip of paper. Mr.. Reed arises
from his seat, as required by the rules,
md 10
words: Ion this question the yeas are
=, and the nays are =. The ayes have
have. it. and the bill is passed. or vice
versa. IF the member in charge of the
bill is an expert, he will Immediately
move Ito reconsider and lay that mo-
ton on the table" If he is inexper-
fenced, the speaker will suggestfvely
gaze at him. If the gaze is without
result, and the neOphyte is modest and
unassuming, the speaker aids him by
saying in low tone as if addressing
the clerk: 1.-THE gentleman moves to
reconsider and to lay that motion on
the table. Without objection 1t is so
ordered
A feature OF the house is the irritator
He rarely makes a speech himself but
is always asking questions of those
who do venture into the domain of de.
bate. Good natured members permit the
interruption, while others nettIed nv
the annoyance, appeal to the speaker,
who invariably says: 1.-THE gentleman
declines to be interrupted" At times
the irritated becomes the irritator. and
the irritator the irritated, as was In
stanced by Mr.. Benjamin F. Butler IN
his retort of "Shoo, fly! don't bodder
mel! when interrupted by Sunset Cox.
And so the business of the house
runs on, with points of order and ques-
tons of privilege, discussions and roll
calls, until the shades Of night begin to
appear. Then Mr.. Dingley or some
other leader of the majority moves that
the house adjourn. As the members
don their hats and overcoats and leave
the hall the janitor's assistants appear
with brooms and waste baskets and
clear Up the litter. Within an hour all
the doors are locked. and silence reigns
until the ensuing day
Amos j. Cummings.