presidential fact #15: this was before the time of full body scanners

back in the day, the public were allowed to come and observe congressional sessions at their will. (this is still true to a degree, but there are a lot more bag checks, i'll tell you.)

if one was going to the senate to listen to the nullification debates of the 1830s, one would pass a sign that read:

GENTLEMEN WILL BE PLEASED NOT TO PLACE

THEIR FEET ON THE BOARD IN FRONT OF THE GALLERY,

AS THE DIRT FROM THEM FALLS UPON SENATORS HEADS