Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-21
in SUMMER SESSION
George Washington University
"Congress" Meets.
CONSIDERS PUBLIC MATTER
Organizes Along Lines Of House of
Representatives.
SPEAKER YIELDS THE GAvEL
History of the 0rganization-Public
May Attend Sittings-Regis-
tration of Members.
SPEAKER YIELDS THE GAVE]

The summer season Of the university
congress of the George Washington Uni
versity began last Tuesday evening In
| University Hall, 18th and H streets. H.
B. Durham of Nebraska was elected
speaker and Paca Oberlin of Virginia
| clerk
The congress" was organized by a
former professor of the university and
has steadily developed. After its founder
left the university the congress was re-
organized by the university students. and
has since been conducted as student
body.
The university congress is conducted as
much like the House of Representatives
of the United States as is practicable 1t
is governed by the parliamentary rules of
the House of Representatives as far as
applicable. Membership is open to stu
dents an alumni of the university. The
members are registered as representing
the states of their legal residence. The
body is divided politically, as is the
United States House Of Representatives.
the members of the democratic party sit
ting on the speakers right and Of the re-
publican party on his left.
Choice of Speaker.
The speaker is chosen by nomination
and vote from the house body, and he
yields the gavel with firm hand when
there is a tendency toward unruliness or
indecorum. Members must address the
chair, Mr.. Speaker" If they wish to be
heard on any subject.
The questions before the house are in
the form of bills and resolutions drawn
by the various members, submitted and
calendered for future consideration. When
bill is selected for debate 1t Is read
by the clerk, discussed by the members
pro and con. read again by the clerk,
placed on final passage, voted. on, and
recorded as carried or lost.
For training in speaking, to those who
volunteer to make the opening and clos
ing addresses on given subject, enCour-
agement is given by allowing ten min
utes each; short speeches. under the
the members in open discussion, in which
all may take part, and interruptions for
asking questions of any speaker are per-
mitted. The practice OF asking ques-
lions is regulated by the presiding OFF,
Ger and by the will of the representative
who has the floor. 1t Is especially adapt
ed tor training In self-control, confidence
and ready reply.
Selection of Clerk.
A clerk is selected to serve two weeks.
1t is a part of his duties to write up the
minutes of the meetings. At the ex-
piration of his incumbency in the Office of
next two weeks.
During open discussion the debate often
wakes warm over the points brought out.
particularly as to the political questions
Of the day. However. the speaker S gavel
usually restores order.
AS rule it is on the final passage of
bill, however, when the vote is exceeding
ly close at times, that the mettle OF the
speaker is put most severely to the test.
parliamentary practice is then brought
into play, f1llbustering is resOrted to by
the minority, the LEADERS of the opposing
forces lock horns and the contest RACES.
Open to the Public.
The discussions on the floor are said to
help to disseminate knowledge. Facts
are brought out and new ideas are pre-
sented. Political science. social science.
law, medicine. agriculture, history
ancient, medieval and modern-are all
drawn upon in the speeches and the best
authors and authorities are frequently
quoted.
The congress meets every Saturday
evening during the winter months and
also holds summer meetings Tuesday
evenings. The first session of the sum-
mer meetings was held last TUESDAY
evening. when a general discussion Of APP
preparation bills was had and Messrs.
F'ravel of Virginia, Kennedy of Pennsyl-
vania SunderIin of Nebraska. Heimbeck
of Illinois. Stull of Pennsylvania. Holmes
of Missouri and Oberlin OF Virginia spoke.
At the meeting next Tuesday evening
the question for discussion afflrms that
all corporations engaged in interstate
commerce should be required to incor-
porate under federal law. The meetings
are open to the public The entire gall
lery and large part of the main audi
forum of the hall are reserved for Wis
itOrS.