Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 178, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1911 — FLOOR PRIVILEGE [ARTICLE]

FLOOR PRIVILEGE

Congress Guards It Jealously In Both Houses. RARELY USED IN THE SENATE Former Members of That Body, While Free to Attend Its Sessions, Prefer to Shun the Scene of Their Solonioc Efforts—A Btory of Evarts. What Is known as “the privilege of the floor" in congress Is the right to go upon the floor of the senate or house when, either body'is in session. Although the right to go upon the floor of a legislative body is not so exclusive a privilege In some of the state legislatures, it is a great privilege and an exclusive one in congress. The doors are carefully guarded while congress is in session, and it is sometimes exceedingly difficult to have access to senators or representatives when public business is being done. Senators and representatives have no regular or rigid rule on the subject, but It is known in Washington that the statesmen feel that their constituents, or others who desire to see them privately should endeavor to do so in their offices, their committee rooms or at their residences. To former members of tbe«enate and house “the privilege of the floor” is given, but they do not often avail themselves of that right. This, however, is in strong contrast to the customs of twenty years ago and longer, when it was not uncommon to see former members moving about on the floor of the house when it was notoriously known that they were lobbying for some private claim or public graft Speaker Reed found this condition so obnoxious that be issued orders that no ex-members should be permitted to pass the doorkeepers without written authority from the speaker. Subsequent speakers have not found It necessary to draw the lines so rigidly, because the abuse Jias almost-entirely ceased. There Is an unwritten law. however, governing the privilege of the floor of the senate, and it is the unwritten law of good breeding, good manners and common sense. Every ex-senator has the privilege of the floor, but it Is so seldom exercised that its abuse has never occurred, nor is it ever Ukely to occur. Former members of the senate are never seen there unless It is well known that they have proper business calling them to Washington, such as appearing before the supreme court as attorneys for clients in great cases, and even then it seldom happens that an ex-senator thus engaged ever enters upon the senate floor, although in going to and from the room of the supreme court they are obliged to pass by its doors. After James G. Blaine ceased to be a senator he rfvoided the senate chamber forever. After resigning from that body Senator Roscoe Conkling of New York never entered the senate chamber, although be was often in the capitol on business before the supreme court There was an exception, however. in one Instance. By Invitation he was one of the pallbearers of Senator Logan of Illinois, who was buried with obsequies from the senate chamber. and on that occasion Senator Oonkllng was present Senator Benjamin Harrison upon leaving the senate never crossed its threshold until he went there to be inaugurated as president Senator Dawes of Massachusetts. Senator Blair of New Hampshire. Senator Don Cameron of Pennsylvania. Senator Thurman of Ohio and Senator McDonald of Indiana are examples of distinguished senators who remained away from the senate after their terms expired. During the period of four y&ars when he was in retirement Senator Gorman oL Maryland never availed himself of the privilege of the floor, and during the two yeere he was without election Senator Quay of Pennsylvania absented himself from the senate chamber. From a veteran employee of the senate there is gleaned an unusually interesting story concerning the late Senator Evarts of New York. This senator was one of the greatest intellects In public life for many years, bat he was absentmlnded In small things. On one occasion be overlooked the rale about the privilege of the floor. He was entertaining Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes at his Washington home and invited bis guest to accompany him to the capitol. Together they walked along the capitol corridor, and when they came to the door of the senate they entered together. There was a copy of the senate rales on each side of the doors, but Senator Evarts did not look at them, nor, of course, did his guest Tbs doorkeepers did not Interfere or ask any questions. Well. Senator Evarts gave Hr. Holmes a seat in the rear of the desk* of the members and proceeded to bring Senators Hoar. Quay. Hawley and others to introduce to him. Quite n levee was held there, and i>r. Holmes was gratified with his reception. After awhile Senator Hoar went to Senator Evarts and. calling his attention to the rale concerning the privilege of the floor, asked. "How did you get him in?" “He la my private secretary,” said Senator Evarts quickly, with a boyish twinkle in ids serious eyes. At that time private secretaries of members were allowed the, floor privilege*— Smith D. Fly In Washington SUE.