Washington, the city and the seat of government . on. The House, on theother hand, has the exclusive right of originatingappropriation bills. The business of both branches of Congress isperformed mainly by the various committees,which have meeting rooms scattered all over theCapitol building. The committees investigate thesubjects of bills submitted to them, hold hearings,summon witnesses, give the matter of each billtheir best consideration, and report their con-clusions to the body to which they belong. Com-mittee reports are usually acted upon and debatesin either chamber have comparatively
Washington, the city and the seat of government . on. The House, on theother hand, has the exclusive right of originatingappropriation bills. The business of both branches of Congress isperformed mainly by the various committees,which have meeting rooms scattered all over theCapitol building. The committees investigate thesubjects of bills submitted to them, hold hearings,summon witnesses, give the matter of each billtheir best consideration, and report their con-clusions to the body to which they belong. Com-mittee reports are usually acted upon and debatesin either chamber have comparatively little effectupon legislation, although the popular idea is thatthe speeches made upon the floor decide the actionof the members. The Speaker has the appoint-ment of the several committees and as the majorityof every committee — or at least of every one ofimportance — is made up of members from theparty in power, the Speakers control of legislationis great. Every Congress includes a handful of New Senate Offices, Union Station in Background. CONGEESS AND THE SUPEEME COUET. 369 men of exceptional ability in each chamber andthese are generally responsible for the final actionof momentous questions. The proceedings in House and Senate are muchthe same and resemble those of all parliamentarybodies. The latter has the reputation of being themore dignified and orderly body, though some ofthe speeches delivered and scenes enacted upon itsfloor in recent years have been calculated to robit of that distinction. The House is none too de-corous. Visitors during a debate are apt to bedisappointed and surprised at the confusion thatoften prevails when several members at once seekrecognition by the Speaker. The general attitude,however, is one of listlessness. Whilst one is ad-dressing the House, others are conversing, writingletters, reading newspapers, walking the aisles, orlying back in their chairs with feet placed upontheir desks. Now and again, an exchange of \m-printable complime
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