The " Bauble" in the American House of Representatives.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 89, 16 April 1894, Page 4

The " Bauble" in the American House of Representatives.

♦ Like the British House of Commons, tho Lower House of tho United Stateß Congress at Washington possesses a symbol of its authority in tho form of a mace. It consists of a bundle of 13 ebony rods, entwined and bound together with silver bands. All those ebony sticks represent the 13 original States of the Union. They are surmounted by a iflobo of Bilver, upon which hemispheres are traced, while a Bilver oagle with outstretched wings is perched upon the summit of tho globe. It was made (aocordiDg to Tho Colonies and India) in 1834, weighs 201h, and is entrusted to the oustody of the Seargoant-at-Arms. When the House is abont to go into session, it is carried into the Chamber of one of the Congressional pages, nnd placed below the Speaker's desk on a malachite podestal. As soon as the Houao goes into commirtee, it is lowered from its pedestal, whence it is likewise removed wlienever it becomes necessary to quell any disturbance in the Legislature In that caso, in compliance with the commands of the Speaker, it is borno aloft majestically across the area in front of the chair, up tho mam aislo, and down the side ones, cooling the passions of the disputants, calling the House to" its sober self, and caufing ruombors to rceamo their seats. They recognise itß significance as a symbol, and submit to the authority which it represents. It has been need for this purpose no less than five times during tho present Congress. Its effect is magical. It comeo like oil upon troubled waters. The tempest subHides at once, and the members drop into their seats us if petrified.