The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-06

like TO know more. so he selects two OF
the most important committees in the
House. but is finally grateful 20 be APP
pointed the tag-end member of an insig-
nlficant one, such az Ventilation and
Acoustics, Mileage, or Printing, and all
this time he is shrinking. shrinking The
people at home would not know him three
months after his arrival in Washington,
for he has become so small. so insignii-
cant, but he IS learning meanwhile.
Rarely sees the President.
He has learned, among other things,
that the long, confidential chats which
he planned to have with the President,
when he would show him the dangers
that menace the public and suggest rem
edies for them, VIII never take place, and
that he is fortunate to be ushered into the
Presidential sanctum with a number Of
other people and receive a hand grasp. a
smile and few, a very few words. though
this manner Of treating a representative
Of the people was a terrible shock TO
him when he first experienced It. II was
a shock. too, when he discovered that
Mrs. NJ. c. would not be privileged to run
In on Mrs. President and sit down for a
comfortable gossip. but the greatest shock
Of all was when he found a Cerebus. an
immovabe Cerebus. at the door of the
Speaker. the presiding officer Of the most
democratic body in the world.
Another subject for establishment IS the
fact that he cannot address his colleagues
at will, for he has trunk full Of elo-
Quent speeches. and though he tries
throughout the first session for an oppor-
tunity, he Is unsuccessful, but in the sec
ond session he sometimes succeeds in get
ting a hearing, not always with happy re-
suits.
Some years ago a new member-says the
member from Green PastuTes-afIer try
ing FOR months 10 be heard. finally deliv-
cred the masterpiece which had cost him
many sleepless nights, been practiced be-
fore mirrors and submitted to the judg-
ment Of HIS family. So wrapt was he in
its utterances that he did not notice he
was speaking TO an almost empty house.
and when he had finished sat down agi-
tated but delighted. He was awakened
from his rapture by the Speaker. who had
been preoccupied during his entire perora-
ton. but. reminded by another member
who had Just come in from the Cloakroom.
he suddenly announced that the gentle
man from Green Pastures had the floor,
Whereupon the gentleman from Green
Pastures stumbled 20 his feet and shame
facedly announced that he had that mo-
ment finished speaking which admission
occasioned hearty laughter on both sides
Of the Chamber
Rules as "A Barrier.
Another source of modification to a new
member is the treatement that Is meted
out TO him at the various departments
lie is kept waiting, he is put of with
promises, he is confronted with prece-
dents, much 10 his anger and disgust, but
his anger is like that OF an euraged ami
NAL who snaris at an inanimate object
he imaglnes has offended him. Rules and
precedents form a barrier around the high
officials that is proof against attack
In the first few months Of his official life
the new member determines 10 have those
old rules abolished and replaced by new
and practical ones and 20 do away with
presidents and talk OF precedents- II is
the case OF the new broom which makes a
great dust in the middle Of the room, but
never touches the corners.
The indignant new member uses VI
much strength and gives vent 10 much
language denouncinE things as they are
and setting forth how they should be
He fumes and frets and worries himself
and everyone who viii listen % him; but
If he is tactfJl and observant he sOor
learns the ropes. he soon learns that tbs
rules and presidents are made for the
confusion or undoing of new members
that there Is "a way" and he proceeds C
find that way How soon he finds IL de-
ponds upon his proves, his perseverance
his personal charm, magnetism or what.
ever name may be given to that indefinite
quality that compels. Some find Il ir
their first term, some in their second
some not until their third or fourth. and
some never.
It is obvious, that all things being
equal, the members who have been in
Congress the longest have the most In
huence. and the States who have learned
this lesson and return their Representa-.