The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-08-12

NA ent, would De COLI
posed OF 435 mem
bers, with delegates from Alaska, Ha-
wall, the Philippine islands and Porto
Rico. These delegates do not vote.
/ once heard eX-Speaker Clark In
praising the house say it was the most
democratic parliamentary body In the
world. He didn't allude to politics
AS l have met the members and have
looked over the body of men l have
often thought Of that remark. AS you
now look down into the house with me
l think you will realize, as l do, that
this is a democratic body Of men, rep
resenting. as it does, the whole Of the
great American republic-the greatest
republic In the history Of the world
Almost every type and phase of Amer
lean citizenship is represented there
1t is sort of high-class melting pot
Laborer and manufacturer; rich and
poor; big brains and mediocre; wise,
earnest men and near-chumps, all have
seats. All classes of business and pro
LESSONS and all shades Of political
and religious beliefs are represented
Ex-governors, ex-senators, ex-judges,
ex-Presidents and ex-cOnvicts have oc-
cupied seats. The blind and the halt
are we'll represented. Only the deaf
and dumb seem to be missing, though
1 am of the private opinion that IT
wouldn't jar the feelings Of the house
much II some members were SO
stricken.
After some years Of observation
from the inside, can assure you that
congress is made up Of fine lot OF
patriotic men.
Uncle Joe and Jim Mann.
Here is a good chance to look at
some of the men as they walk in. You
will recognize some Of them from the
pictures you have seen. Uncle Joe
Cannon saunters In with the cOcky
air Of youth chewing the cigar car
toonists have made famous. II 1t Is
a cool day he may have his hat on
He was elected to congress first In
1872 and Is now serving his twenty
third term. Only twice In all these
years has he been defeated and he
told the house one day that the years
he was out were the longest years OF
his life. He is SO years old and is
young for that age. I have seen him
dance at a dinner party, and I have
heard that he'plays little poker now
and then but never gets In over a
dollar or two at a time. He takes q
keen interest in important legislation
has a sane view Of public affairs and
makes a vigorous speech occasionally
Uncle Joe, as he is affectiOnately
called, has declined to stand for re
election and will close his official
career with the ending Of this con
gress, after serving in the house OF
representatives longer than any Other
man.
I think l have already mentioned
James r. Mann. There he is by the
table. The two tables in the center
Of each side of the house are used by
the leaders, by the chairman Of the
committee in charge Of bill and by
others especially interested In the pro
ceedings Of the day. Mr.. Mann be
longs at the table on the Republican
side. This is his thirteenth term ir
the house and he was long the Repub
lican leader. He is not the Fourth OF
July style Of orator but a most con
vincing speaker and the best posted
man on pending legislation in the
house. He is terror to those who
have private bills up on unanimous
consent day. A bill must be innocent
indeed, or properly amended, before
Il gets through when he Is present.
fancy that ne has saved the govern
ment literally millions Of dollars BY
his industry. In some ways he Is the
most valuable man In the house.
Two Party Leaders.
The other gentlemen by the table II
Frank MOndell, the Republican leader
at this time. He Is serving his thir
teenth term In the house-nearly q
years Of service-ani he has been alb
sent only four days, an uneQuaied rec
ord, l think. Mr.. MOndell is not {
lawyer, but is an able and fearles!
leader, q keen thinker and strong de
batter. He was once a laborer an(
later a railroad contractor in Colo
RADIO. afterward going to Wyoming
He has a hard. nerve-wrecking job
but does it very well. When he makes
motion it usually carries. Mr.. Mon
dell will not be In the house in thu
next congress. as he is candidat,
for the United States senate.
The leader of the Democratic sidt
is Claude Kitchin, but I cannot pOin
him out to you, as he has been i'll a
home for about year. He is a lik
able chap and was man Of grea
force In the house. His place Is being
filled by John N. Garner Of Texas, ant
worthy substitute he makes. He /!