Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1886 — Speaking in Congress. [ARTICLE]

Speaking in Congress.

The most nervous moment for a new member of Congress is jnstr before he is to make a speech. Many of*the old members, even, are seized with “stage fright.” The idea that the official reporters have ears for the whole countrygives every speaker an uncomfortably large audience. Some members are anxious at all times to get in the Record; 'but these men generally do not make speeches. They simply interrupt others to ask questions—sometimes very silly ones—or to make objections, thus getting their names in the Record, with an appearance of great activity. ' When he is about to make an ambitious effort, the feeling of the member may be judged by one watching from the gallery. Each man has his peculiar way of going about it. Morrison always stands for a moment half-way down the second aisle on the Democratic side, with hands on the desks on each side. Then he speaks withl deliberation, always taking two or three steps toward the speaker when much in earnest. He is always soon through. Randall always speaks from behind his own desk, and makes no preliminary movement. Hewitt is probably the only other who speaks entirely without warning. He goes off like powder—all in an instant. Some members load their desks for a speech; some load themselves. Soinetimes three or four desks give warning of speeches. They are piled up with Congressional records, revised statutes, official reports, newspaper clippings, and on top of all huge rolls of manuscript. When a speech is too full of dry matter to find room inside the orator, and must be given storage on his desk, other members find it convenient to be in the cloak-room. Last session thete was a man in the House who used to walk back and forth around the semi-circle back of the members' seats, running his hands through his hair for fifteen or twenty minutes, before making a speech. Some members walk two and three times past the speaker’s desk before they try to catch his eye. Some stand in their ■ ■ ft ■

places, clear their throats several times, pull up their sleeves, button their cuffs, feel their tie, oj>eu an<l shut their desks two or three fifties, and then walk down the aisle a little way, and say, “Mr. Speaker." Some sit and rub their I hands. Others do nothing in particular ; but you can tell they are going to speak by the nervohs glances they throw up at the speaker. Some will make eyes at the speaker for half an hour before trying to catch his. You can tell when some men are going to speak because they look frightened. Others you know are going to talk—because they always do when they get a chance.— Washington Star.