The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-25

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 thirty seconds and then says, in
low tons of voice that penetrates the re-
hottest gallery: THE chaplain will offer
prayer"
At this the members rise and listen to
the prayer in a devout attitude. At tie
end of the prayer a 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 a beehive, and fire.
quently the speaker interrupts the clerk
by calling it to order. After the journal is
read, the speaker says, without objec-
ton the journal will stand approved"
and the real business of the day begins.
If there are any executive communica-
tions, that is. papers from the PresidCm
or departments, the speaker then pre-
sents and refers them to the appropriate
committees. In the interval a score OF
members have arisen at their DESKS or
have appeared in the arena fronting the
speaker. AS the last communication is
referred, all shout at once, "Mr. Speak
err" each holding a bill above his head.
All are seeking recognition to ask unan
imouS consent for the consideration or
bills or resolutions. The average specta-
LOE IdnClGS LudI THESE IecOBHlIlOHS are
given upon the spur of the moment. This,
however, is not so. The recognitions are
always prearranged with the speaker. II
takes new members some time to ascer-
tain this, but when they have vainly
sought recognition day after day for a
month or more. they begin to learn how
business Is done.
These recognitions continue until some
member shouts for the regular order. II
may be unfinished business, or privileged
matters may come to the front. What
ever is taken up is sure to lead to a dis
cussion. Half the members 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
1t concerns something in which they are
interested, they move near him and posi-
bly, participate in the discussion. If not.
they resume answers to correspondents
and the reading of their newspapers.
A vote OF the House always attracts at
tention Members listen for the calling
of their names, and frequently lose the
run of the call while in conversation with
their colleagues. AS the vote is about to
be announced some representative usual
ly appears in the area, saying: Mr..
Speaker, l desire to vote"
At this Mr.. Reed, in accordance with the
rules, asks: WAS the gentleman in the
hall when his name was called?"
If the reply IS in the Affirmative, the
speaker gazes steadily a the representa-
tive. and inquiries: "Was the gentleman
listening and failed to hear his name call
ed?"
If the answer Is stlll in the affirmative,
the speaker stares at him, surveying him
from head to foot for twenty or more
seconds. and then, apparently half salts
fed 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 no" and Is recorded on the tall
ly-sheet The clerk then tabulates the vote,
and passes Il to the speaker on a slip Of
paper. Mr.. Reed arises from his seat as
required by the rules, and announces the
result Ia stereotyped words: "On this
question the yeas are -, and the nays
are -. The ayes have H. and the bill Is
passed." or vice versa. IL the member In
charge Of the bill is an expert, he viii i'm
mediately move"to reconsider and lay that
motion on the table" II he Is inexperien-
oed, the speaker Will suggestively gaze az
him. II the gaze Is without result and the
neophyte Is modest and unassuming, the
speaker aids him by saying IN q low tone,
az II addressing the clerk: THE gentle
man moves 20 reconsider and 10 lay that
motion on the table. Without objection Il
Is 80 ordered"
A feature OF the House u the irritator
lie rarely makes speech himself, but o.
always asking questions of those who DO
venture into the domain Of debate Good
naiured members permit tne interruption,