Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-05-13
THE SENATE GALLERY
Mr.. STILLMAN THINKS SENATORS PLAY
TO THE GALLERIES.
Many Distinguished Men Have Been En-.
tertained in the United States Senate
Galleries. Customs Which Prevail
at Washington.

| Washington, d. c., May Especial
Correspondence: Do United States
Senators "play to the galleries?''
Senators, themselves, either laughing.
ly or Indignantly deny that their &C.
tion or remarks are in any way in.
fiuenced by the galleries. although
some of the younger members private
ly admit they can make a better
speech to banks Of humanity than to
empty seats.
Occasionally senators glance toward
the galleries as precautionary mea.
sure, that close personal or political
friend may not sit there unattended,
and not infrequently a senator will
join q party of guests oftentimes in.
cluding the most potent political fac.
tors in his state.
/ The presence Of distinguished guests
in the galleries is quickly noted. At
the time of the visit Of the big Rus
Isian fleet during the civil war, q score
OF Russian officers in full uniform
visited the capitol and occupied seats
in the Senate gallery. A committee
OF Senators hurried to meet them, ex-
tending such courtesies as were pos.
sible in the absence of an interpreter.
The honors consisted largely of
cordial greetings in pantomime.
There is no record that a president
or ex-president ever occupied seat in
the gallery. Official etiquette permits
the Chief Executive to visit the
capitol only on state occasions when
hegis given the place of honor on the
floor, and the last day of the session
when he goes there to sign bills. oc.
cupying a room reserved exclusively
for his use, and known as the "Presi.
dents room.
It is not uncommon for the wife or
children of the President to visit the
capitol. Mrs. Roosevelt and friends
ret nifty observed the process OF. law
making from the executive gallery.
Cabinet officers, although privileged
to associate with senators on the fioor
usually sit in the gallery from choice.
Secretary Taft, for example, is often
in the Senate when legislation of ill.,
terest is under consideration, but he
usually sits in the gallery.
Distinguished men privileged to go
upon the floor appear reluctant to ac-
cept the courtesy. Former Vice Presi.
dent Morton was the guest of the
Senate recently but excused himself
after a few moments. although COR
daily urged to remain. Former Sena-
tor Thurston, once a leader in the
Senate. sits for hours in the gallery
but rarely goes on the floor.
Senator Spooner, of Wisconsin, has
not been in the chamber since he re.
signed year ago.
General Grant, although he had re-
ceived the thanks of Congress. entitl.
ing him to the floor. would not avail
himself of his prerogative. A door
keeper relates this interesting ineid-
ent: "That was in the latter part of
the Sixties" to use the doorkeeper' s
own language. Sergeant at arms
Brown was in charge and his word
was law. One day he called me into
his Office and looking clear through
me said: The diplomats complain
that persons having no connection
with the foreign service are admitted
to their gallery. Tomorrow you take
charge of that door and il You admit
anybody not entitled to sit in the GAL
lery you will be discharged. -
II knew Brown meant it and spent
the entire night studying the diploma
tic list. 1t happened the day / had re-
,eived my orders Conkling had given
notice he would speak the next after
loon.
About two O'Clock the following
lay there were but few guests in my
gallery and assure you every one of
hem was bona fide diplomat, but
very other gallery was packed to the
INIT and the corridors were solid d
nass of people except for narrow
ath through humanity kept clear by
he police. A few minutes before G
was to speak / noticed a t
mall man, wearing a military cape
nd cap, elbowing through the crush,
eering this way and that. As he ap.I y
reached l saw it was General Grant. k
Ie had come to hear Conkling; they G
ERE close friends.
81 stepped forward and said G
General Grant, allow me to show h
on the way to the floor of the SEN Q
to-; there is where you belong y
"Oh, no, / will not go ON the /,
oor," replied Grant, "do you sup
ose ! can find seat in one of the I,
slleries?''
I'm a second of time I thought a