The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1863-12-17
FROM WASHINGTON.

FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence ofthe Advertiser.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. lltb, 1863
EDITOR ADVERTISER:
The past few days has been eventfu
to the citizens of this city and our com.
L. on country. The statue Of Liberty was
elevated to its place on the dome of the
capitol on the anniversary Of the execu.
ton of Old John Brown-a presidential
term iutervening-amid the cheers Of a
loyal multitude aud the roar of cannon.
The architect, Walters, did not choose
the day desiguedIy, presume, for he is
supposed to have some sympathy for his
ancient friends, the rebel leaders, as l
understand there was an order issued to
the workmen, on that occasion, not to
make any demonstration, such as cheer
ing. or waving Of hats.
Within ten days, the water of the
Potomac river has been introduced to
the reservoir that supplies the city with
water. This event was celebrated with
appropriate ceremony Sec. Usher, un-
der whose department the works were
constructed, and other distinguished
gentlemen were present aud helped to
give "eclat" to the occasion. The Po-
tomac is tapped at the great falls, and
thence the water is conducted, by canal,
to the reservoir 1t is hoped that the
water hereafter US d, will be better than
that formerly used which was taken from
a creek north Of Georgetown.
But the great event, was the organiza-
ton of the House of Representatives.
Members began to arrive about the first
of the month, and the candidates were
already here to avail themselves of the
earliest opportunity to present their
Claims for the several Offices sought. As
the number of members increased, the
excitement increased, as each candidate
had his "aids' to assist in convincing
the members that the interest Of the
country demanded that they should be
ele c,ed to the various Cfices within the
gift of the House, 1t soon became evil
dent that Hon. S. Colfax would be IT, e
nomipce Of the Union members for
Speaker, and hence there was more in
tcrest mantle as to who SHOULD be the
fortunate men to secure the nomination
for Clerk, Doorkeeper, Sergeant at Arms,
&c. There were many candidates for
each of these Offices, aud each one, either
by himself, or friends. made it a point
to see every Union member, and if pos
sb secure his vote. Therefore where
ever one of these members were, you
would see a small delegation waiting on
him. The hotels were perfectly jammed,
and such "button holing" as the mem
bers suffered must have worn on their
constitutions
Blu, all was good natured until Satur-
day nj sht, preceding the first Monday
when it was whispered that the old
clerk, Etheridge, had refused to plac,
the name of many of the members, elect,
Oh the roll for want of, as he claimed
due form in their certificates. This
would exclude about forty of the Union
members, and about twenty of the oppo
sition, throwing the organization of thu
House into the ha~ds of the opposition
1t was sharp copperhead trick, but j
did not win, tor when the hour came fo
the House to organize, and it was foun,
that the names of many were not on tn
roll, the members were prompt to exer
else their right to determine who wer
tho members Of the House, and Nj,
Etheridge's occupation was gone.
This was the only thing attending tn
opening of the session that stirred u
the ire of the members, but the announ,
ment that Mr.. Cofax was elected on tn
6rst ballot, rcetor-d the equonimi.y ,
the loyal members, and thereafter tn
organization passed off without any III
due excitement There were disappoin
ed candidates, of course, but the 10y;
people of the country may congratulate
themselves on a working majority i
!, Congress to support the administration
Since Jackson's term, no administratio
has had majority in Congress the las
two years of its term until now.
1t is proposed, by western members, t
repeal the clause in the Conscript act
allowing persons to commute for servic
by paying $500. 1t is thought this wi
give the government more soldiers fror
a draft, but it is question that has tw
sides to it, for if this $500 dollar claus
is repealed, many think that it will onl
increase the price of substitutes.
LoRzo.