Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-22
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

majority of Republican party men, earnestly
anxious for opportunities to build up, by the
legislation of Congress, their own political or.
ganization.
George A. Simmons, of New York, who was in
the last House, is its chairman. The old oen.
tieman, formerly Seward Wing, isnow CO ran:
DANGEROUSLY" Republican. He enjoys the rep
utatlon OF being, at home some say, a leading
lawyer of the State, others, one of the best
practicing attorneys within its limits. BE Is
put forward here by his party to argue nearly
every question of law arising, wherein their
political interests are involved. This would
not be the case unless his political friends en-
tertained great confidence in his legal abili-
ties and attachments, as there is no lack of
experienced and able lawyers among them, on
all save constitutional questions, wherein We
humbly think they are woefully lacking
Father Simmons achieves nothing whatever
by his style of oratory, which is coarse and
ill-digested. He, nevertheless often makes
good hits in debate. From his readiness in
finding arguments (such as they are) to sus-
tain his party's interests in all questions in
which abstract law is in issue, we fancy that
no better Republican.partizan head Of the
Judiciary Committee could have been selected
by Speaker Banks.
Mr.. Humphrey Marshall, of Ky, follows
father Simmons on this committee. He is also
an experienced member. When previously
elected to Congress he was a Wing, but he got
somewhat sbakey in his political faith shortly
af the advent of the last administration to
power. For time it was judged by many
here that he was on the high road to the
Democratic party, particularly shortly after
he was sent by Mr.. Fillmore to China. Some
of his friends, by the bye, were greatly dis
appointed because General Taylor failed to
make him Secretary of War. In the shutting
Of the political cards. however, he turned up
very enthusiastic South American, and as
such was returned to the present Congress
Though still very ardently attached to that
party, it can hardly be otherwise than that
he will vote with the Democrats on all slavery
questions. He is a fine debater, being ac-
counted at home to be one of the best stump
ers in the country. few years since he en-
Joyed a large practice at the bar, at which he
has had great experience, though yet hardly
a middle aged man. There can be no doubt
OF bis competency to take due care of what
ever interests he may seek to advance and
defend before his committee
Mr.. Lucisn Barbour, of Indiana, q new
mann har forrnarIu -
and at times sort O. Wing (but always ex
hibitiDg proclivities for abolitionism) is now
an ultra Republican party man So far he
has been taciturn in the Hall. Many from
his State say that though by no means given
TO garrulity, he is one of the most sagacious
and successful lawyers practicing in Indiana.
Mr. John S. Caskie, of Virginia, is quite q
young man, though he has already served four
years in the House; having been on the supe-
NOR bench Of his State for some time before
being returned to Congress. He belongs to
the extreme Southern rights wing of his party
at home. As an orator, few men in Virginia
excel him, though he very rarely addresses
the House preferring quietly to attend to
business committed to his charge. He is in
all respects amply qualified for the discharge
OF any duties that may be devolved on him as
member of the Judiciary Committee, ON
which he served during the last Congress
Mr.. Samuel Galloway, Of Ohio, is the chief
Republican party manager in his State; being
noted for shrewdness, political energy, and
activity, and, we may add, for little compunc.
lions where politics may be concerned He
was formerly, if We are not mistaken, the edi-
tor of the OHIO State Journal, then the Whig
State organ. We have not heard that he had
any pretensiOns, whatever, to distinction as a
lawyer; though it would be difficult for pro-
fesslonal man to possess his political charac-
terlstics without being capital attorney when
his mind is turned in the direction of the law.
We fancy that he can do scheming sufficient
for all the members of half dozen political
committees, if what his outside opponents say
OF his capacity in that line be true. We OK
pect to find him one of the most effective in
terlocutary debaters On the Republican side
of the chamber
Mr.. Sampson W. Harris, of Alabama, il an
OH democratic member, and Southern rights
man. He possesses excellent sense, fine abili.
ties, and statesman like attainments never.
theless, he eschews debate when it can posi-
bly, be avoided on his part As a business
man, he ranks, also, very high in the chamber
and " i'll prove an effective member, indeed,
of the House Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. VIM. A. Lake, of Mississippi, a new
member, was Wing until the advent of
Know Nothingism. At present his school of
American partyism is cut after the fashion of
that Of the Louisiana lodges. He is said to be
one Of the most successful lawyers in his State
at n'si prtus. His presence in the Hall
is exceedingly effective, and his style of ora
tory is marked with display of good sense
tact-which will surely give him eventually
no little weight in Congress.
Mr.. Abram Wakeman, of New York, a new
member, who was elected as Know Nothing,