The Ordway new era., 1922-09-15

palm leaf fan, he
having felt its ear: and the third saio
IL dld not resemble either but was a
Dig Nat object something like stone
wall covered with II leathery skin
with some hair on it. Each was speak
ing from his own point OF view ana
telling only of what he had seen-or
rather felt.
1t is that way with many things in
NE. We see only II very small part,
yet having seen that, we think that we
are competent to judge, describe and
criticise.
An hour or two in the gallery
would certainly give one very iop-
sided view of congress. Yet many
come, look on for few moments and
go away to tell of congress as they
have seen it, Il good deal as the blind
men told of the elephant and with
fully as much accuracy.
If you We're Il casual caller in the
gallery you might find the house full
of members. or only half full. or even
with only "A few dozen present. You
might lind it doing routine business
and as quiet and placid as u summer
calm; or excited to fever heat by II
partisan discussion between party
leaders, or in Il storm of agitation over
question of personal privilege or the
exercise of personal rights. The house
has its varying moods, rs human be-
ings have. Sometimes 1t works along
doing business rapidly and as smooth
ly as clock work. And sometimes
everything seems to be on edge and
everybody on his nerves, when one
could hardly get an amendment
through to dot an "i' or cross a "t'
without fight and Il roll call.
Cannot Always Be on the Floor.
Members need not sit on the floor
all the time They have much to do
besides. Much of the business of con-
gress is transacted in the committees.
The major committees are composed
of from u to 81 members each. Some
OF the committee meetings are as im-
pOrtant and formal as the meeting of
state senate and with about equal
membership. Committees are ire
auently meeting while the house Is in
session. There is also much Office
work to be done and members take ad
vantage of every lull in proceedings
to catch up with their Office work.
There is always departmental work
TO be taken care of. but members as
rule do not go down town in the
afternoon when the house is in ses-
sion. Most members stay within reach
of the roll call signals.
Whether your member Is on the
floor or not, you may depend upon 1t
that he knows pretty well what is go
ing on and can easily be reached
when his presence is required.
The greatest safeguard is thrown
about legislation to keep anyone from
putting something over. Much Is done
by unanimous consent when Il single
member can object and stop or stay
proceedings. A member may at any
time question the presence of IA quo
rum and il the speaker does not thu
quorum present by actual count the
roll IL called Signal bells ring Ill the
corridors. restaurant and house ONCE
building so that members may appear
and answer to their names. Wheh'
ever member is fearful that some
fling will be done which he doesn {
want done except by consideration Oh
the whole house, he can raise the ques-
tion Of a quorum and quorum must
be secured before business Is fuflher
considered.
nuorum in the house consists OF
a ma iDrity of its membership. Ihere
are 435 members when all are awe
and there are no vacancies
there are often two or three vacancies
an account Of death or resignation. 30
If usually requires 2l7 Or 2lS members
to mike quorum. When the house
f. doing business as the committee Vi
the whole 100 members make quo'
rum.
Reasons for Demanding a Quorum.
The point of no quorum Is raised
often because member wants iuii
attendouce when the question Deiore
the house is considered. 1t Is faiseu
sometimes because some one present
wants n, good audience for an import
ant sneech.a 1t ls raised occasionally
merely In order to delay the game anu
ia resorted to by the minority 70 uSt
m the. tims and postpone or defeat
iaa,s,atton that cannot be defeated by
a mn tority vote, It is frequently USED
,yhen filibustar is IN progress, ann
snmet,mes the roll is called SIX OF
aIpht times a day, AS IT requires 30
~ 40 minutes to call the roll It can
ne seen how a few roll calls VIII p'pnS
Vine business of the day.
occasionally the point Of no quorum
viii be raised out Of spite, \ memoe,
n,sv desire some time TO speak ana