Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1886 — The Pages of Congress. [ARTICLE]

The Pages of Congress.

Fifty of the brightest boys of the United States are employed at the national Capitol as pages to Congress. Little fellows of from twelve to sixteen years of age, each with a round, shining silver badge on the lapel of his ooat labeled with his number, they run in and out of the halls, now darting through the aisles under the very nose of a member who is making a great speech, now carrying great armfuls of books to one Congressman, and now taking a letter to post for another, bringing a glass of water to the man who is speaking. Here one is moving about with a great album in which he asks each of the members to write his name; and there are others busy taking the cards of ladies in the reception-rooms to some Congressman whom they wish to call out. The pages of Congress are gathered from the four quarters of the United States. They are chosen by the ser-geants-at-arms of each House, and represent nearly every State. The pay of a page is two dollars and a half a day, for the session, including Sundays, though there is no work for them on that day. They generally save some of their money, but they must spend enough of it to keep themselves well dressed. They do not have a very hard time, and on ordinary days their hours are from 9 o’clock until the House adjourns, at four or five. About half of their Saturdays are holidays, as the Congress often adjourns Friday over to Monday. The daily sessions begin at noon, but the boys must be present ear ier and file each Congressman’s bills for him. After Congress meets they have plenty to do in running errands. During a night session they grow very sleepy, and as a general thing they are not asked to remain. When a member wants a page he claps his hands, and the pages, who, when not busy, are generally standing about the clerk’s desk, in front of the House, or sitting on the stairs leading to the Speaker’s chair, run to him for their orders. There are thirty-six pages in the House of Representatives, and fourteen in the Senate. Two of the House pages are mounted, and it is their duty to carry letters and messages on horseback for Congressmen from the Capitol building to all parts of the city. They ride to the Cnpitol, put the letters in a pouch, which they carry by a strap across their shoulders, and then ride off for answers to them. Sometimes these boys carry notes to the President, sometimes to the Secretary of War, sometimes to the Attorney General, and, in fact, to all the great departments of the Government. They enjoy their work, and they are a little envied by the boys who stay under cover. Speaker Carlisle, the tall, grave, smooth-faced man who presides over the House, has a page for himself, as have also the sergeant-at-arms of the House and its clerk. The pages are chosen by the ser-geant-at-arms of the two Houses, and before they are admitted to work they must take the oath of allegiance to the United States. Is the position a good one for the boys? Well, on the whole, and for, perhaps, one session, yes. The associations are not bad, and if bad boys are discovered among those chosen, they are quickly dismissed for fear they may corrupt the others. The duties of a page compel him to be polite and gentlemanly, and he learns a great deal. During the recesses of the House they often discuss among themselves bills and questions which would be thought beyond their comprehension, and they delight in aping their Congressional masters.— Youth's Companion.