The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-02-02
Letter from washtnweon.
Washington, Jan. IS.


The recen. debates in the House on the
Constitutional Amendment and on some
other subjects of general interest. has
been q curious study for determining the
relative power of conspicuous members
over the attention of the House.
There exists nowhere else in this coun-
try might almost say the world--so re-
morseless judge of intellectual force, and
SO pitiless critic. as the House of Rep
resentatives. Whoever has passed its
crucible and has come ont successful from
its test, has approved his title TO consider
alton either as an able and honest thinker
or consummate orator. One or the other
any man must be. who can always be sure
Of commanding the attention of the
House.
There are now Just two members that
can stand this test, Thad Stevens and
Winter Davis. No matter what tumul.
may be raging or what listlessness mar
prevail neither Of these gentlemen will De
on their feet three minutes till every
member is listening and those from dis
tans parts OF the Chamber are crowdinp
over toward the Speakers desk.
No other member has this power over
the House. Some of them come very
near II; can, on special occasions, have
undivided audience, and never speak
without being listened to by majority Of
the members ) but Thad Stevens and
Winter Davis are alone sure Of being al
ways heard--at any time, under any cir
cumstances, on any subject.
On the Democratic side there is no one
having any such mastery of the House Or
even OF his side Of it. The nearest ap.
proach is made by Mr.. Pendleton. in
whose favor are combined the prestige OF
the candidacy on the Chicago ticket, re.
markable personal popularity. fine powers
Of debating and the reputation Of being the
ablest lawyer and best reasonef Of bis par
ty in the House. On any question invol-
wing political topics. Mr.. Pendleton is al
ways sure Of the House. On all subjects
he commands more attention than any
other Democrat.
Next TO him On that of the chamber, come
Voorhees,, whose fine powers Of declama
tion always gil the galleries and general.
y secure the ear Of the House, and James
Brooks, whose great familiarity With the
business and remarkable facility in debate
make him in some sort leader B ut little
behind either of them is Samuel Cox who is
also extremely ready and sometimes right
smart, while always, withal. uuprinoipled
alike in statement and conduct. A less
frequent speaker than either OF the two
last named, but much abler man. is
Wsdsworth Of Kentucky. His voice is bad
and he can scarcely be heard throughout
the Chamber, but it is very seldom he
speaks without fixing the attention of the
Ho4se; and 10 this rsspsss he takes rank
with Voorhees,, immediately. after Pendls-
ton. Following oil these and at some dis.
lance behind them may be placed ::Kernan /,
Ganson and Fernando Wood.
Crossing to the Adnainistrationt side,
the FIRST man in position aad experience is
General Shenck. he is peculiarly hated
Of all Democrats, who make it point
sometimes not to listen, to him, bus after
Thad Stevens and Winter Davis 40 Union,
ist h surer Of attention 70 what he hes 70
say. Young - he is, Gen. Garfield has,
with 4ainsle session.s wost,aplaced him.
himseh IN the same position. He il epsak,
1 ing hat rarely this session but always o The
purpose, and always With Reuersl and ad-
misiag Atsentioa. AZ i rs1dy md thor
oughiy po6ttd dsbater, Kasson of Iowa,
eeAndsin - 1ane ~ - liha 0as1 -