Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-24
Interesting Scenes in the Lower
Branch Of Congress.
IT'S PECULIAR CHARM For VISITORS
They Enjoy Sitting in the Seats Of
the Mighty.
BEFORE THE OPENING HOUR

written for The Evening star
The House Of Representatives seems to
have a peculiar charm for visitors to the
National Capitol. The reason is clear. The
Senate chamber is always held sacred from
their intrusions. The hall of the House.
however Is ever open to them when the
House is not in session. They tread it's
aisles early and late studying its decora-
tons and paintings and eagerly scanning
the names of the members inserted in the
desks. Ladies frequently mount the ros-
trum and place themselves in the Speakers
chair. 1t is an honor eagerly sought when
the House is not in session. "A description
of the scenes in the House from early
morn until nightfall will interest all who
have visited the south wing Of the Capitol.
The doors of the hall are thrown open at
o'clock every morning by John T. Chan
cey. He is republican, who has been a
special employee of the House for nearly
thirty-fve years. Mr.. Chancey is suave
and gentlemanly and extremely popular.
AS soon as the doors are opened visitors
enter the chamber. Some of them are reg
ular habitues. They march up the aisles.
occupying the chair Of some member, and
read the Congressional Record, which Is
always placed files beneath the DESKS
There is a peculiar satisfaction upon their
faces as they loll in the easy chairs and
assume the airs of statesmen. Indeed,
one of them, whom the employees face
tiousIy call 1.-The jack of clubs," chided a
guide the other day because he did not
point him out to visitors as one of the
members of the House.
Careless members frequently leave pads
Of House paper upon their desks. These
are seized with avidity by the early
habitue. He finds a pen and writes letter
to some PARKWAY acquafAtance. Visitors
imagine that he Is member writing to
his constituents. and this gratifies his
vanity.
Preparing for Work.
At 9 o'clock the pages Of the House are
required to be present. They place the
Records upon the file Of zach representa-
tive, and see that the inkstands are filled.
This is done under the supervision Of the
chief page. At 10 o'cloclcf there is a roll
call of the pages, in the speakers lobby.
They. fall in line like soldiers and answer
the roll call. Here, II necessary. they re-
ceive special instructiOns as to their duties
during the day.
Meantime members of the House begin
to appear. They hang their hats and over
coats in the cloak room, AND .assort their
morning mails at their desks, Some bring
their secretaries and dictate replies. These
are usually members from distance. Such
members are never interrupted by visits
from constituents. Representatives from
other nearby states are not addicted to
this habit. Their constituents would over
whelm them, and they would find 1t diff
cult to dictate replies to their correspond
ents. :.
By 10 oclock there are many visitors up
on the floor. The hum Of conversation in
creases as IL o'clock approaches. Groups
of ladies and gentlemen. under the direc-
ton of the guides. throng the lobby. gaz-
ing at the portraits of the past Speakers
of the House, and gather With curiosity
around the maps indicating the tempera-
ture in every state and territory in the
mi OIL
whether it is raining or showing at their
homes. or whether the sun is shining. At
a quarter to II the floor, of the House Is
crowded with visitors. The assistant door
keeper appears at the desk of the clerk
of the House and in a shrill voice says:
Il am directed by the doorkeeper to ask
ali persons not entitled to the privileges Of
the floor to Immediately retire, as the rules
of the House require the same"
This request is usually promptly needed.
Those disposed to linger upon the floor are
is time to clear the floor. .All visitors must
r. tire" Many of them seek the galleries
to see the opening of the days session.
The Opening Prayer.
At five minutes to II the blind chaplain.
Henry N Couden, who, wears a Grand
Army button. is led to the clerks desk by a
page. He was soldier in a Michigan regi-
ment and lost his sight in the war. An
assistant sergeant-at-arms comes through
the east lobby door with the mace and
places 1t by the side Of a malachite pedes-
tai. 1t 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 consider
alton of bills.
cey leaves the hall by the west lobby door,
Going through the file room, he ascends to
the roof, carrying an American flag adorn-
ed with forty-five stars He ties 1t to the
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
gavcl In the House. pulls the halyards, and
the nag noats above the south wing, an
nouncing to all that the House is in ses-
sion.
The Speaker has already left his, room.
He walks through the lobby, entering the
House by the southeast dfpr.l and slowly
ascends the steps leading ID his cAair. His
clerk , has rec him md paced his
it. raises II, above his head add gives the
desk sharp rap. The riiSsinE 81 bell
and the hoarse- noon whiafle of South
the crash Of the Eavel cdEhe tn words.
clear, slow and distinct 9ehe Hbuse Will
be in order" At this thd assistant SER
geant.at-arms raises the great si3ker mace
-
The Speaker surveys the f16use Or thirty
seconds and then says, ina low tone Of
voice that penetrates the rSfnatee& gallery,
The chaplain will offer prx1er"
Reading the Jdlrrnal.
At this the members rise aAdz1isekn to the
prayer TN a, devout attitude. At Tie end Of
the prayer. a page leads tho blind gchaplain
into the lobby. As he leavss 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 q beehive, and fse-
quently the Speaker Interrupts the clerk
by calling i to ordeE. After the Journal ia
read, the Speaker S6ys ssWfthout objec-
tlon the journal VIII stand anRsoyed," and
the real business Of tn day begins. ~
II there ard any executive communlcat
tons. that is. papers from the President or
departments, Sthe SPEAKER then presents
and refers them to 'theAppropeiate commit
tees. In the ihteCvaisk score OF members
have ariyeH at their. desks, or have ap-
peaTed tnN the area Menting the Speaker.
A. the Eat comznnicA4ion II referred. ali
shout at once. mi. Speaker, 'stach holding
q bill above his head. All a1e seeking
recognition to ASH unanimous consent for
the consideration Of bills or resolutions.
The average spectator faAcies that these