National Affairs: Birthday Party

Rarely, except at Presidential inaugurals, does the entire democratic hierarchy of the United States gather under one roof. But so they did last week, in the grey-&-gilt chamber of the House of Representatives, with remarkably few absentees—the President and his executive Cabinet, both bodies of the legislative branch, all eight members of the Supreme Court—to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first session of Congress.

Enthroned above all were the heads of the two Houses, President John Nance Garner of the Senate (looking more than usually owlish) and Speaker William Bankhead. Below them were ranged President Roosevelt, Senate Majority Leader Barkley,...