The morning news., 1897-04-18
THE PAGES OF CONGRESS.
BRIGHT BOYS WHO WAIT UPON SEN
ATORs AND REPRESENTA-
They Are Under Strict Discipline,
and Have Fine ODpOrtunitIes-sen-
atOr German Was One of the Com |
EressiOhaI Pages.

.
and Have Fine ODpOrtunitIes-sen-
atOr German Was One of the Con-
GressfOhaI Pages.
From the Detroit Free Press
Eight lucrative offices in the Senate of
the United States will shortly be open to
as many bright and honest boys Ac-
cording to the rules of the upper legis-
lative chamber, one-half of it's corps of
pages must be appointed at the beginning
of each congress. Although the present
special session of the Senate is in reality
part of the new congress- the fun corps
of pages serving the last Senate will be
retained until both houses convene on the
18th of this month. There are sixteen
pages regularly employed in the Senate,
each of whom draws per diem salary of
$3.50. Their terms extend from the first
day of the convention of each session to
its close, and they are paid for Sundays
and holidays, whether they work or not.
The Senate pages are appointed by the
sergeant-at-arms through senatorial in
fluence. They are not selected according
to any geological apportionment. Accord
ing to the rules of the chamber these boys
can serve in their official capacity only
between the youthful ages of II and 16.
The dignity of the higher legislative body
demands the innocence and tenderness of
childhood to administer to it's wants. AS
a result of the present system of appoint
ment, the pages form perpetual body,
like the one they serve. At the beginning
of each congress half of the experienced
ones remain to set the newcomers good
examples-at least, that is theory.
Although the congressional page has
never been accused of being unsophisII-
Gated forces are brought to bear upon his
moral development as well as that of his
mind and physique. Especially is this
true in the Senate, where the lads are
younger and smaller than the pages Of
the House. If a Senate page is known to
smoke, to use profane language or to in
dulge in extreme misbehavior unbecoming
to a refined lad he is subjected to disci-
pline. Sometimes he loses his position
through misbehavior though few cases
of dismissal have. occurred lately. Many
of the Senate pages attend night school
In the winter. They are advised to devote
their moments to their books and are en-
couraged to ask questions to their hearts
content during working hours. Before
they have served many weeks they nave
acquired fair knowledge of parliament
ary procedure. When given money mat
ters to attend to they are required to
keep strict account of all sums passing
through their hands. The arithmetic of
fact, the corps of Senate pages is organ>
lied as strictly and carefully as a WELL
regulated school. Their duties are never
appreciated by the chance visitor in the
gallery. One who sees them move about
at the beck and call of senator's is likely
to get the impression that they are mere
messengers boys. Not so. They are con>
else editions of a congressional directory,
guide book, library catalogue and-in sea-
son-base ball score. all bound under one
cover.
They must fill the various roles Of the
diplomat confidential clerk, detective,
financier and, worse than all, translators
of senatorial chirography Often they
must order the senatorial repast a COM
pick undertaking for any youth. At other
times they must act as buffers between
bored senators and tireless lobbyists.
Members of the press gallery are wise
when they cultivate the friendship of a
Senate page. In short, to fill such an
office a boy must be bright, fearless,
shrewd, active, diplomatic and honest.
Having served his apprenticeship, he cam
not fail to be versatile
The first few weeks of the new pages
careers will indeed be busy ones They
must not only become acquainted with all
the senators, but with the greater part of
the representatives,. They must learn
which of the several libraries in the capi-
tai contains a certain book called for by
a senator In the middle of an important
speech. They must be able to escort
stranger to any of the numerous commit
| tee rooms of either wing. These are a
| few of the abilities required. Although
not lacking of necessary chaperonage, the
| Senate pages are placed for the most part
| on their honor. They are employed under
| the direction of men who do not come and
| go with congresses, but whose experience
| in the service and hope of retention on
! good behavior give them a heartier in
| terest in their work and enhance their
| discipline.
The Senate pages are under the charge
! of Mr.. A. II. Stewart who succeeded the
veteran Isaac Bassett as assistant door,
keeper. Before Mr.. Bassetts death Mr..
Stewart had active charge of the pages,
so his duties are by no means new. Like
| Mr.. Bassett, he was once a page himself
and has, therefore. worked up through the
| ranks. Appearances indicate that he has
the confidence and respect of all his youth
! full subordinatesA Although the Senate
| generally convenes at noon each working
| day, the pages must report in the cham
| ber at 8, as regularly as in school, and
| excuses must be given for absences. The
first duty, according to the routine, is the
distribution of calendars, bills and other
| legislative documents among the senate
rial desks and the placing of the new
| Congressional Record upon each senator's 8
| file. One page is detailed to examine alI
the pens left on the outside of desks, and
to renew them with clean points. An
other must see that every inkwell is brim-
full. Others must straghten out the sets
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