The Speaker’s raised desk is against the southern wall and below this are the marble desks of the official reporters. The latter keep a stenographic record of everything done or said, to be published the next morning so that those who are absent or pay little attention to what is going on may still keep posted on the progress of events. The sergeant-at-arms is within easy call. This latter officer is called the Speaker’s policeman—the representative of the physical force, and his symbol of authority is the mace, which reposes on a marble pedestal at the right of the speaker.
“The mace was adopted by the House in the first Congress,” explained Mr. Ludlow. “It has been in use ever since.”
“How do they use it?” questioned Dorothy.
“When it is placed upon its pedestal,” he answered, “it signifies that the House is in session, and under the Speaker’s authority.”
“I suppose I ought to know, but who is the Speaker, and what does he do?” asked Alfaretta.
“The Speaker,” continued Mr. Ludlow, “is the head of the House, elected by vote of the members.”
“And I have a question,” said Ruth. “What is a mace?”
“In this case, the mace is a bundle of black rods fastened with transverse bands of silver. On its top is a silver globe, surmounted by a silver eagle,” answered Mr. Ludlow, “and when the sergeant-at-arms is executing the commands of the Speaker, he is required to bear aloft the mace in his hands, unlike the House of Parliament, where there is much form and ceremony, there is little else here than quiet dignity.”
Grouped in concentric semi-circles are the desks of the Representatives, all small, uniform and handsome.
“The Republican party all sit on the Speaker’s left and the Democrats on the right,” volunteered Mr. Dauntrey.