Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-05-13

fore me stood the greatest military
genius of the world my countryman
He wanted seat; there were plenty
OF seats in my gallery he should have
one. Mentally handed in my resig.
nation.
"This way, General replied, al
the same time opening the door to the
gallery. Grant followed, haltingly,
as his eye caught the sign. diplomatic
gallery on the door.
"The entrance of person into the
diplomatic gallery is always a signal
for attention in all parts of the cham
Der. AS the General descended the
stairs to the front of the gallery where
l stood ready to seat him. one side of
his cape fell from his shoulders re-
vealing Grant in uniform.
"a great cheer went up from the
galleries. Grant blushed like a
schoolgirl and was seated while wo-
men waved handksrchiefs and men
clapped their hands. Conkling arose
and delivered a powerful argument on
reconstruction.
In the meantime had returned to
the door, locked it and made bee
line for the Sergeant.at-arms office. I
found him fighting with half a dozen
senator's whose wives had been unable
to get within sight of the galleries.
I said, Mr.. Brown. I have disobeyed
your orders.
What have you done, " he demand
ed, paralyzing me with his glance.
I have just seated General Grant in
the diplomatic gallery, I replied" I"
For fraction OF second ne hesi E.
ated, then shot out the words: Go
back to your door,. He never again
referred to the incident and am still
on the Senate pay roll.
Many distinguished guests have
been entertained in the galleries.
Emperor Dom Pedro, of Brazil, oc-
cupied front seat in the diplomatic
gallery, and reception followed dur
ing which the deliberations of the
Senate were temporarily suspended.
The Prince of Wales. now King Ed
ward VII. in 1859, occupied the Presi-
dents seat in the gallery and was
later received with honors on the
floor. King Kalakaua and family of
the Hawaiian islands, in 1882 were ac-
corded similar courtesies in the Dip
lomatic gallery. e
Prince Henry, of Prussia, sat for a
time in the Speakers gallery in the
House although there was no inter
ruption of the regular proceedings
during his presence there. The Sem
ate temporarily laid aside business to
receive the brother of the German
Emperor on the floor. ~
Cardinal Gibbons. wearing his red
cap. recently sat in the front seat of
the executive gallery and many sena-
tors nodded recognition.
j. Pierpont Morgan was a guest in
the same gallery and several senators
Joined him there, pointing out dis
tinguished statesmen.
Senators are extremely watchful of
the gallery reserved for the family and
friends Of the President, Vice Presi-
dent and families of senator's. The
seating of guests in the row set apart
for the President or Vice President is
instantly noted and if they are un-
known q page is quickly sent to
learn their identity.
Senator Blaine was the idol of the
galleries and his popularity may never
again be equaled. During one of his
powerful speeches great difficulty was
experienced in preve nting continuous
outbreaks of applause. Today Sena-
tors Dolliver. Depew and Beveridge
are undoubtedly the gallery favorites.
Applause is allowed in the House
in fact, representatives daily give
orators q "hand" but this is never
done in the Senate. Under the rules,
demonstrations of approval or disap-
proval are not permitted although an
exception was made when Senator
Hoar made his Philippine speech sew
eral years ago.
Great applause from senator's and |
from galleries followed the effort A |
senator arose and said he knew the |
rules were being broken but that the
Senate was willing under the circum-
that the rules should be brok-
en. Occasionally, as at the close of
Senator Mitchell's recent statement
On the floor, the galleries do break
loose but the offenders are admonished
hat repetition will result in clear
ng the galleries. When such an order
g given every person, including
,uests in the executive, diplomatic
md press galleries must retire.
"Episodes" in the galleries are re.
narkably infrequent. Perhaps the
)arrie Nation incident three years
go, when Mrs. Nation paused on the ,
op step of the ladies' public gallery !
nd shouted: Down with conspir.
cy and anarchy; saloons are trea- G
on. was the most notable demon 6
ration of the kind of late years. n
Mrs Nation is not welcome in the
aptol building and when she comes i
} town che word is passed down the u
ne to be on watch for her. Last n
inter she managed to get into a GAL {
'ry by means of ruse. A clerk h
no palmed himself off on a door. a
eeper as a member of Congress. ac- b
by Mrs. Nation, entered n
le reserved gallery and remained n
ere few minutes. The man in a
large OF the galleries. however, saw C
sr and knowing the clerk. personally &
Illed him out and ordered him to get a
le notorious female out as speedily a