Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-14
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

speaker DAuke uds SokoA ouc odIo W dDOll-
tionise the Military Affairs Committee. though
to accomplish that end he has been forced to
overlook every member except one, who from
serving personally in the field, has become
practically acquainted with military matters
The Culled Bredren," though great advo-
oates for Shapes rifles in Kansas, are famous
for being possessed Of constitutional horror of
associations likely to afford them opportuni-
ties to become personally acquainted with
military matters. They are, as q class, gen.
tlemen Of brave words, indeed, in debate.
But we have yet to hear Of the FIRST occasion
In which any one of them has gone through
the apprenticeship, even in reading, likely to
make him particularly qualified to aid in
guiding and directing the action of Congress
on the military affairs Of the government
Gen. John A. Quitman, of Mississippi, is
very appropriately at the head of this com.
mittee. After his distinguished services at
head Of his brigade throughout the Mexican
war, he could not have been placed, with de-
oency, any where else than in that position,
Notwithstanding his politics. As a soldier,
all the world know him; as a legislator, be
may be classed among the most ardent States
rights Democrats of the House; his peculiar
school Of Democratic politics being of the Cal.
houn or South Carolina order. His address
is capital as an orator, though his voice is not
good. His speeches show him to be the pos
SCISSOR of . cultivated mind, and of sentiments
on all things guided wholly by nice sense of
right and wrong He Is very effective in the
Hall, because he is eminently sensible in all
be does there, and, withall, acrupulously Just
in his views.
Mr.. John Allison, of Pennsylvania, is an
old member. Alawysr by profession, he en-
tered Congress originally Wing, but has
gradually become follower of Mr. Giddings,
as that gentleman's school of politics has been
gradually coming into favor in the North. His
experience in the Hall gives him great weight
with his party, few of whom are effective lesis.
lative attorneys. He is a gentleman of good
abilities, and makes his points in debate well;
though he usually contrives to occupy so ul-
ira grounds as that none others except those
who are his particular political friends can
coincide with him.
Mr.. William R. Sapp, of Ohio, was also a
member of the last House, though a quiet
one. He is lawyer by profession, and
man of sense. Originally a Wing, he is now
Republican-party man, going all lengths
with Messrs. Giddings, &C. He makes no
pretensions to be a general debater, but al
ways transacts the business he undertake. in
the Hall in business-like way, and with
much success
Mr.. Charles j. Faulkner, of Virginia, was
also member Of the last Congress, and after
the withdrawal of Col. BisselI, of illinois, be-
came the chairman Of the Military Affairs
Committee, to the business of which he has
long devoted himself with great energy. in.
dustry, and success. No gentleman has dis
charged the duties of the position more salts
faetorily to all interested in the efficiency of
the army, in twenty-five years past, than Mr..
Faulkner. He is lawyer by profession, and
politically is a Democrat. He il man of
quite as much erudition and general attain.
ments as any other member of the House.
having been long hard student Az de-
batter he aoquits himself with great credit,
though he avoids, as far as possible, interfer-
ing in the proceedings of the body, except
where his constituents or State may be inter-
ested, or in connection with matters appro-
priately appertaining to the business of his
committee.
Mr.. John Williams, Of New York, is a new
member. At home he has been a merchant
miller, we believe, rather than lawyer. Mr..
W. has not yet essayed to make a speech in
the Hall, and, we fancy, makes no pretensions
to oratory. He has, however, evinced fine
capacities for business, and is exceedingly
popular with his fellow members; which he
will doubtless turn to advantage for the in
terest of his constituents. Politically, he 10
one Of the staunchest Democrats In the cham
Der.
Mr.. Benjamin Stanton, of Ohio, was a mem
Der of the last Congress. He entered public
life follower of Mr.. Giddings, and has been
that gentleman's right-hand man up to this
time. He is lawyer, professionally, and a
member of good abilities but so ultra in his
abolitionism, as that his capabilities avail him
little for effectiveness.
Mr.. James W. Denver, of California, is a
new member, and Democrat. He is gen.
tleman of few words and excellent sense. We
predict for him career of great usefulness
for his State, as he has already achieved un-
usual weight with all his fellow members who
have come to know him we'll, without trou-
bling the House for twenty minutes since the
session opened. So much for his so evident
great sagacity and discretion.
Mr.. James Burlington, of Massachusetts,,
also new member, is a merchant by profes.
sion, and was Wing formerly Now he pro.
fssses to be member of the Know Nothing
party, and will 60 Republicanism with reluc.
tance, We take it, He may not now be inclined
to support Fillmore and Donelson but we
know that the wing of his party at home with