Judge, 1906-02-17 · page 13 of 16
Judge — February 17, 1906 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This theatrical sketch mocks the futility and irrelevance of newly-elected congressmen in the House of Representatives. The unnamed "New Member" from New York arrives full of idealistic speeches about serving his constituents ("You are the masters, friends; I am your humble slave"), but immediately becomes invisible once legislative business begins. Over several months, the Speaker repeatedly denies him the floor, always yielding to other representatives instead. When he finally attempts to speak, an experienced congressman from Ohio publicly humiliates him, getting laughter from the entire chamber. Gallery observers dismiss him as ignorant and inexperienced ("just unpacked"). The satire's point: new congressmen, despite grand campaign promises, are powerless and irrelevant in the actual functioning of Congress. The New Member's final soliloquy—confused about his own position ("In thunder am I at?")—captures the disorientation of discovering one's political idealism means nothing in institutional reality. The sketch, by William J. Lampton, reflects Progressive Era skepticism toward American political institutions and their resistance to reform-minded newcomers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE NEW CONGRESSMAN. (Continued from tenth page.) You are the masters, friends ; Iam your humble slave ; Farewell, farewell ; I go To glory or the grave. (Train starts in the midst of wild hurrahs, while brass-band plays See the Congu-ring Hero Goes.") ACT IL, ‘Scene: House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. Time: 12 to § P. M. any day—every day. Tae New MeMBER—Mr, Speaker — ‘Tue SPEAKER—The gentleman from New York has the floor. Tuk NEW MEMBER (Aa// an hour later)—Mr. Speaker — THE SPEAKER—The gentleman from Pennsylvania has the floor, Tue New MEMBER (an hour later)—Mr. Speaker JHE SPEAKER—The gentleman from Illinois has the floor. ‘THe NEW MEMBER (ten minutes later)—Mr. Speaker — Tue SPEAKER—The gentleman from Ohio has the floor. Tue NEw MEMBER—Mr. Speaker. FiRST PRESS-GALLERY FIEND—Who's that butting in down there ? Seconp Ditto—Oh, some jay or other from Jayville. You'll find his name in tbe Directory. LEMAN FROM OHIO—I believe, Mr. Speaker, I have the floor. THE New MEMBER (recédess/y)—Well, I want a show in this chamber, and the people of my district — THE GENTLEMAN FROM OH10—The gentleman need not worry about the peo- jl of his district. He is making a show of himself that they should be proud of. (Loud laughter all over the House.) First GALLERY VisiToR—Who’s that yap ? SecoND DiTto—Oh, he’s a new one, just unpacked. He doesn't know any Maybe he'll cut his wisdom teeth if they let him stay long enough. W MEMBER—Mr, Speaker — R—The gentleman from Massachusetts has the floor. LEMAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS—Mr. Speaker, I move we adjourn. “ Aye”; all opposed, “ No.” setter. THE THE SI Tue Ges THE SPEAKER—AIl in’ favor of adjourning say, The ayes have it. The House stands adjourned. THE New MEMBER (after several months of this sort of glory)— Sail on, oh, Ship of State ; Sail on. I'm certain that You've got to sail. But tell me where In thunder am I at? (Curtain. WILLIAM J. LAMPTON, DIAMOND CREDIT LOFTIS SYSTEM You Assume No ! Risks: When in Dealing With Us We Are Heady to Be lee of ISETIS BY MONPAUTTE eid WEEP PRISONER FORGES ORDER FOR A SHAVE. Fred Bowlus, serving seven years in the penitentiary for horse-stealing from Wood county, forged an order Saturday, signing the names of two guards, the order being for a ——shave. This is the forged order submitted on the report of Guard Danford: Pris, FD, 1-12, To guard jackson. Dear Sir, Will you please let pass Bowlus 34,366 to new hall to get shave and Oblige guard letner. Sowlus will not forge any more checks or orders. In prison court he was sen- tenced to one day in solitary confine- ment.— Columbus Dispatch. ENOUGH. jcker—" Did they probe for the bul- No ; the victim was a finan- a law.was passed by Congress and the Senate and signed by the bears Ti and purity. Avoid Whlskdes Not Guaranteed by U. 5. "Sunny Brook greed Jetierson County, Ky. The Time to drink Evans’ Ale is all the time. Begin Now. THE “SOHMER” HEADS THE LIST OF THE HIGHEST GRADE PIANOS SOHMER PIANOS Sohmer Balidiag, Sidenursee Sth Ave. eo: ONE SATISFACTION. “ Well, there's one thing we ought to be thankful for,” said Napoleon immedi- ately after meeting his Waterloo. What's that, Nap?” asked Marshal Ney. “We ougist to he glad that they didn’t get this fight on the biograph.”” And the great general grimly smiled.— Cleveland Plaindeater. ‘THE WISDOM OF THE PERUVIANS. To a man who can take a pants-button of fact and evolve from it a whole ward- robe of scandal nothing is impossible ex- cept the truth.—Peru Republican. cicr who said he was sick of investiga- tion."Mew York Sun. Beer- Milwaukee Di ISAACTHOMPSONS EYE WATER Americans with a discriminating taste prefer COOKS [HAMPAGNE . Sroacziad les Foreign Champagnes cost twice as much because they are obliged to pay duty and ship freight. SERVED EVERYWHERE AMERICAN WINE CO., ST. LOUIS A few copies of the first edition of THIS AND THAT ABOUT CARICATURE By Zim, are’still available, Upon receipt of $1.50, this clever little book will be sent to any address, postage prepaid. JUDGE COMPANY, New York The Truth Can be told about Great Western Standard ot fmerieam Wace There is nothing to conceal in its produc Hon. Itis PureGrape Juice, fermented and ‘aged to exact pertec: tion for healthlainess, possessing the bou- quet and flavor that connoisseurs desire. Goat ojo i comicbooks.com