Evening star., 1915-12-05

bates. their ample cooked hats. placed
fore and aft, upon their heads
The Senate by the seventeenth amend
ment to the Constitution has been
''populariZed." Hereafter the people
and not the legislatures of their states
will choose their senators in Congress.
I'VE do not excel. and it may be we do
not equal. other people in these times"
the eminent George Frisbie Hoar said
in the upper chamber of Congress
twenty-five years ago But the great
est victories of constitutional liberty
since the world began are those whose
Senate and whose champions nave been
the senators. who for a hundred years,
while they resisted the popular pas
sions of the hour have led. represented,
guided, obeyed and made effective the
deliberate will of free people"
Hats were worn during the sessions
of the House until the year 1880. The
Speaker. however. took his off if he
arose to make ruling or a few re-
marks. When cloakrooms. with pegs
were provided. the members, having a
place other than their heads safely to
leave their hats. gradually formed the
habit of transacting business while
uncovered"
Switched, made of molasses, ginger,
spring water and Jamaica rum, was
mixed daily for the representatives.
and consumed in large quantities.
Heavy silver urns contained snuff,
pnches of which were inhaled, notably
by senator's. during the progress of de-
bate. An orator would pause now and
then, walk to an urn, take sniff, en-
joy a sneeze and, thus refreshed, would
pick up the thread of his discourse.
Washington and John Adams read
their annual messages to Congress.
Jefferson, however. sent his up to be
read by secretary. His voice was
neither robust nor melodious, and so
he became famous as writer instead
of as an orator. All of the succeeding
Presidents except Woodrow Wilson had
their messages read to Congress,
though their voices were masculine and
there was no need. because of sensi-
tiveness, of their following the practice
OF Jefferson.
When he appeared before Congress
with his first message. Washington
had his hair done up in silk bag. His
coat and breeches were of black velvet.
He wore also a pearl-colored vest, yell
low gloves. silver buckles at his knees
and on his shoes. cooked hat and
long sword in a scabbard of white
leather.
X <
A few days before ne had told the
senators and representatives. when
they called to pay him their respects,
that he desired to help them 'in the
arduous but pleasing task of attempt
ing to make a nation happy" After
two short paragraphs of introduction
he reminded Congress. in his historic
first message. that among the many
interesting objects which will engage
your attention that of providing for
the common defense will merit partic-
ular regard"
ITO be prepared for war; he said, "is
one of the most effectual means of
preserving peace. A free people ought
not only to be armed but disciplined.
Safety ard interest require that they
should promote the manufactures as
tend to render them independent of
others for essential, particularly mill
tary. supplies
The Treasury at the time was practi-
cally empty. Experts at figures and of
conditions had said that 100000 in
revenues must be raised with which to
meet the expense of the new govern
ment. The second law, therefore, of
the Nirst Congress Of the United
States-the first law being one that re-
lated to the oaths of national and state
officers-levied a tax on goods brought
here from foreign countries. Thus be-
gan the tariff legislation of the re-
public The law, as a revenue measure,
was successful.
Congress had assembled not in