THE AMERICAN CONGRESS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 January 1903, Page 4

THE AMERICAN CONGRESS.

“The most American thing in America” is an English writer’s recent description of .Congress. The House of Representatives is three times as large as the British House of Commons, and the seats are arranged, not in parallel lines, but in curved concentric rows, facing the Speaker. The Rsputlicans always sic to the left of the Chair, and the Democrats to the right. The millionaire and the vagabond are alike free to saunter in at any time, without passes, questions or credentials. Each member has a revolving chair, with a large desk before it, on which he’! transacts f his private correspondence whenever the debates lack interest. Congress is described as emphatically the worst-dressed assembly in the world. “ The usual costume is a long and very loose frock-coat, a low-cut tvaistcoat, a turn-downed collar, a white bow, and'a Derby or felt hat. No man can look imposing in such a dress ; and, indeed, at first glance, you might easily take JOongreas for an assembly of Dissenting ministers.” Members lounge in their chairs and chew unlighted cigars during business, and from the Press gallery the astonished Englishman could catch glimpses of others of their number “under the razor” in the adjoining barber’s shop. More startling still, he beheld the barber himself, in his shirt sleeves and apron, joke with Congressmen in the doorway of the House, and listen to the speeches. “But for sheer homeliness the palm must be given to a phalanx of email boys, the sons of Congressmen, who sat on their fathers’ knees during the debate/’ A large number of pages are employed in the House, and their antics add to the confused din which U'always characteristic of Congress,