The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-11-12
Jottings from the Capital.
WASHINGTON CRY, Nov. 6, II

To tAs Editor of The Allegkanian
In compliance with promise long
since made to you, sit down to write
gossiping letter to old friends in Cambria
who read The AHeghanian-- only gossip
ing one.
The interest which has recently Gen.
tered in the disaster at Chickamauga, and
in the State elections, is being tr ansfcrred
20 the Congress which will assemble In
about four weeks. Notwithstanding the
assumed detection of such men as Blair
AID Rollins OF Missouri-elected as the
friends of the administration, but now
cIassed among its enemies-a clear Ad-
ministration majority in the next House
is an assured fact. The election of the
Speaker and other officers, the organiza-
ton of the committees, and all the legis-
lation up to the 4th day of March, 1865,
will consequently be controlled by the
Presidents friends. This favorable result
of the Congressional elections was hardly
hoped for one year ago, when the War
and the Administration were so much
under cloud of dissent and distrust.-
Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, veteran
member and true man, it is supposed
will be the Administration caucus nominee
for Speaker. The Democrats will attempt
to affiliate with some Border State
Unionists, and thus carry the day against
the out-and- out supporters of the Admin
istra1ion, but they will take nothing by
their writ.
The Democrats in the House will want
leader to start off with. They have
lost host in Vallandigham. He was
shrewd, bold and dashing parliamentarian,
always vigilant aud ready, and generally
in good humor, with smile frequently
upon his countenance even when deliver
ing his fercest iuvectives. He loved to
walk the asles, or fit from desk to desk,
or be the centre of a knot of members
who voted always as he did. He gloried
in his leadership, and made the most of it.
There was a magic in his boldness and
address which charmed even his political
opponents. He is gone, and his mantle
has not fallen upon any OF his disciples.
Cox and Fernando Wood will probably
each take up corner of it. They are
both able politicians, and will work to-
gethsr, but neither of them will be per-
mitted to lead as despotically as Valland-
igham did.
The first or long session Of the next
Congress will be the most stormy in the
history of the country. The opposing
parties will be seanearly balanced in
numbers in the House, aud their policies
will SO widely differ, that important
measures of one party will be fought with
desperation by the other. The impending
Presidential contest will not be likely to
lessen the acerbity of the strife. In the
Senate, the Administration men are large
ly In a majority, but it must not be for
gotten that the Democrats have received
some valuable accessions to their strength,
and will give trouble. Per contra, the
Administration party gains in ability in
the House over its opponents. Boutwell,,
of Mass. Generals Schenck and Garfield,
of Ohio; Williams and O'Neil, of Penn. /;
Winter Davis, of Maryland; Clay and
Smith, of Kyc Blaine, of Maine, and
others-all men of tried loyalty and supc-
rior attainments, will take the place of
Peace Democrats or third-rate Republicans.
Thaddeus Stevens, the ablest Administra-
ton member of the last House, is a
member of the next.
In political way, next to the meeting
of Congress, speculation concerning the
next Presidency is much indulged in here
in Washington. The result of the recent
elections renders the election next year
of a President who is unconditionaHy for
the Union and vigorous war policy, a
foregone conclusion. The only question
is. who will be the man? The President
i, understood not to have declared his
intentions regarding second term; Sec
retary Chase will be urged by very
strong influence, including what is termed
tho "Radical clement" Ben. Butles has