The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-25
THE ROUTINE IN THE HOUSE.
Amos Cummings Gives a Detailed De-
scripliOn Of The Procedure,
THE SPEAKER AND The NEW MEMBER.
Not Yer, Pleasant To- the One Who Fails to
Vote when the Roll Is First Called.
The Modo of Recognition on the
Part Of tho Speaker.

WASHINGTON, -. g, April IJ-lne
House OF Representatives seems 10 have
d peculiar charm for visitors to the Ma
tional capitol. The reason is clear Tho
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 I'm session. They
tread its aislcs early and late. studying
SIS decorations and paintings and eagerly
scanning the names OF the members in-
serted in the desks Ladies frequently
mount tho rostrum and place themselves
in Tho Speakers chair. il Is an honor
eagerly sought when the House IS not IN
session. A description Of the scenes IN
the House from early morn until night
fall Will interest all who have visited the
south wing OF the Capitol.
The doors of the hall are thrown open
81 9 o'clock every morning by John T.
Clancy. lie Is a Republican, Nno las
been special omplOyo Of the House Tor
nearly thirty-fve years Mr. Chancey Is
suoYe and gcntlemanly and eNtI cmeiy
popular. AS soon as the doors are open
ed visitors enter the chamber some OF
them are regular habltues. Ihey march
mp the aisles. occupying the CHAIR OF some
member. and read the Congressional Re-
cord. which is always placed on RES
beneath the desks. There is peculiar
satisfaction upon their faces as they Toll
IN the easy chairs and assume the airs
'of statesmen. Indeed one Of them, whom
ftho employees facctiOusly call the JACK OF
clubs" chlded q guide tho other day be-
cause he did not point him out 10 visitors
a one Of tho members OF the House
Careless members frequently leave pads
o. House paper upon their desks. THESE
are seized with avldity by the early ha-
bituc He finds pen and writes a letter
10 some PARKWAY acquaintance. visitors
imagine that ho is a member writing 10
his constituents, and this gratihes MS
vanity.
Ats O'Clock the pages Of the House are
required 10 be present They place the
Records upon the file OF each Representa-
tive. and see that the inkstands are filled.
This is done under the supervision or the
chief page At 10 o'clock there Is a Toll
call OF the pages IN the Speakers lobby.
Thoy fau I'm line Ike soldiers and answer
the roll call Here. II necessary, they re-
ccIyc special instructions as TO their du-
ties during the day.
MEMBERS APPEAR.
Meantime members Of the House begin
10 appear. They hang their hats and
oycrc0ats I'm tho cloak room. and assert
their morning mails al their desks. Some
bring their secretaries and dictate re-
plies These are usually members from a
distance. Such members are never inter-
rupted by visits from constituents. Rep
Tcsentatves from Pennsylvania Virginia
and New York and other nearby States
are not addicted to this habit Their con-
stiuVnts would overwhem them. and
they would find 70 difficult TO dictate re-
plies 10 their correspondents.
by DO o'clock there are many visitors
upon the floor The hum Of conversation
increases as n 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
Union. AT q glance they can ascertain
neither 90 Is raining or showing at their
homes or whether the sun is shining At
"a quarter to - the floor OF the House IS
crowded with visitors The assistant
doorkoeper appears at the desk of the
clerk Of the House and I'm a shrlll voice
says:
II am directed by the doorkeeper 10
ask all persons not entitled 20 the nri-
yilcgos of the floor 10 Immediately retire.
as tho rules OF the House require the
same"
This request Is usually promptly needed.
Those disposed to linger upon the floor
arc approached by messengers. who
shout. "lt IS time 10 clear the floor All
visitors must retire Many Of them
seek the galleries to see the opening Of
the days session.
At five minutes 20 70 the blind chaplain
Henry n. Couden. who wears q Grand
Army button IS led to the clerks desk
ly page lie was a soldier I'm Michi-
gan regiment and lost his sight in the
n Wf-If
comes through the east lobby door with
the mace and places IL by the side Of q
malachite pedestal To leans against the
wall no the right Of the steps leading to
the Speakers desk Meantime the Speak
cr 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.
THE HOUSE IN SESSION.
Two minutes later the veteran John
Chanccy leaves the hall by tho west
lobby door Going through the file room.
ne ascends to the roof, carrying an
American flag adorned with forty-fve
stars. lie ties II 20 the halyards Of the
flagstaff above the House. arc gazes in
tently toward the state War and Navy
building. The time ban drops there at
the noon hour. and Clancy. 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
nounclng 10 AN that the House IS In ses-
sion.
The Speaker has already left his room.
lie walks through the lobby. entering the
House 10y the southeast door and slowly
asccnds the steps leading 10 his chair.
Ills clerk has preceded him. and placed
his gavel upon the desk. The Speaker
grasps IT, raises 10 above his head and
gives the desk a sharp rap. The ringing
Of bell and the hOarse noon whistle Of
"a South Washington lumber mill IS heard.
With the crash Of the gavcl come the
words. clear slow and distinct, 1.-THE
House Will he in order" At this tho as
fistant sergeant-at-arms raises the great
silver mace from the floor 10 its place
ON the PEDESTAL The Speaker surveys |
the House for thirty seconds and then |
says. in low tone OF voice that pene- |
tratcs the remotcst gallery. "The chap
lain will offer prayer"
At this tho members rise and listen TO |
the prayer in devout attitude At the |
end of tho prayer. "a paeo leads the blind |
chaplain into the lobby. As no leaves |
tho desk Che reading clerk takes his |
place and the Speaker orders the journal !
which is the minutes Of the last session !
20 be- read The House huns Ike a bee |
hive. and frequently the Speaker inter- |
rupts the clerk by calling IL TO order. |
After tho journal is read. tho Speaker |
SAYS. Without objection the journal will |
stand approved. and the real business /
OF the day begins.
SHOUT MR.. SPEAKER"
fH4ra ora any 4xQnfff va f.np,r,ttVfnr-