The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-06-26
THE HOUSE IN SESSION.
HOW BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED IN THE
LOWER BRANCH OF CONGRESS.
Many Visitors Are Upon the Floor Before
the Business of the Day Begins RAISING
the Flag to Announce That the HOUSE
Ia at Work-The Days Proceedings.

Is at WOrk-The Days Proceed1hSe'
By 10 o'clock there are many visit
ors upon the floor of the House Of Rep
resentat; yes, writes Amos j. Gum
mings in the New York News. The
hum of conversation increases as IL
o'clock approaches. Groups Of ladies
| and gentlemen, under the direction OF
the guides, throng the lobby, gazing
at the portraits of the past speakers OF
the House, and gather with curiosity
around the maps indicating the tenn
perature in every state and territory in
the Union. At glance they can as
certain whether it is raining Or snow
ing at their homes, or whether the sun
is shining. At aduarter to u the floor
of the House Il Il ( crowded with visitors.
The assistant doorkeeper appears at
the desk of the clerk of the House, and
in shrill voice says
II am directed by the doorkeeper to
ask all persons not entitled to the
privileges of the floor to Immediately
retire, as the rules Of the House re-
quire the same. .
This request is usually promptly
needed. Those disposed to linger
upon the floor are approached by mes,
sengers, who shout, ''It is time to
clear tile floor. All visitors must re-
tire" Many Of the SEEK the galleries
to see the OPT ing Of the days SEES
sion.
At five minutes ITO - the blind
chaplain, Henry. N. Couden, who
wears Grand Army button, is led to
tina clerks desk by 1890 He was a
soldier in a Michie Mt, and
lJst his sight in the " i assist
ant sergeant-at-arms comes through
the east lobby door with the mace and
places It by the side Of malachite
pedestal. It leans against the wall at
the right of the steps leading to the
speakers desk. Meantime the. speaker
remains in his room adjoining the
lobby. Here members gather around
him seeking promises Of recognition,
and asking his aid in securing the con-
sideration of bills.
Two minutes later the veteran John
Chancey leaves the hall by the west
lobby door. Going through the file
room, he ascends to the roof, carrying
an American flag. He ties it to the
halyards of the staff above the House,
and gazes intently toward the State,
War and Navy building. The time
ball drops there at the noon hour, and
Chancey, with barred head, as he
hears the sound of the gavel in the
House, pulls the halyards, and the
flag floats above the south wing, an
nouncing to all that the House is in
session.
| The speaker has already left his
room. He walks through the lobby,
entering the House by the southeast
door, and slowly ascends the steps
leading to his chair. His clerk has
preceded him, and placed his gavel
upon the desk. The speaker graaps
| it, raises it above his head, and gives
the desk a sharp rap. The ringing Of
a bell, and the hoarse noon whistlexof
| q South Washington lumber mill are
heard. With the crash of the gavel
come the words, clear, slow and dis
tinct ''sThe House will be in order"
At this the assistant sergeant-at-arms
raises the great silver mace from the
floor to its place on the pedestal. The
speaker surveys the House for 80
seconds and then says, in a low tone
Of voice that penetrates the remotest
gallery: "The chaplain will offer
prayer"
| At this the members rise and listen
to the prayer in devout attitude. At
the end of the prayer page leads the
blind chaplain into the lobby. AS he
leaves the desk the reading clerk takes
his place, and the speaker orders the
journal, which is the minutes Of the
last session, to be read. The House
huns like beehive, and frequently
the speaker interrupts the clerk by
calling it to order. After the journal
is read, the speaker says: without
objection the journal will stand app
proved" and the real business of the
day begins.
If there are any executive communi-
cations-that is, papers from the pres
| ident or departments - the speaker
then presents and refers them to the
appropriate committees. In the. in
terval score of members have arisen
at their desks, Or have appeared in
the area fronting the speaker. AS the
last communication is referred, all
shout at once, ''Mr. Speaker" each
holding bill above his head. All are
seeking recognition to ask unanimous
consent for the consideration of bills
or resolutions. The average spectator
fancies that these recognitions are
given upon the spur Of the moment.
This, however, is not SO. The recog-
nificno oro o1u,ox,o ,,roow,.o, ~o1 .,.:41