New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-12-05
ADDRESS OF TExn SPEAKER
The Opening Scenes Photographed by
Our Special Correspondent.
Alabama RatifeS the Constitutional
Amendment.
Special Disyaseh to The N. Y. Tribune.

Special DsEasch TO The ~ Y Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Monday Doc. A. 1865.
All the interest attending the opening OF
Congress centered in the House. The action of the
caucus and the known determination of Mr. MCPHERSON
In regard to the roll made the result fOregoue con-
cusion AT the same time the viii Of the minority had
not transpred, and it not known whether we
should escape the fllibustering of the ante
Rebellion Congresses.
The Senate organized very quietly. The beautiful
weather, soft and warm Spring. attracted thousands
70 the Capitol and long before the hour cf II the gale
mes of both houses overflow. The floor is covered
with busy and merry tbrong, as becomes the first
Congress after the As the Clerk quietly trips az
the side aisle buzz of curiosity runs through the null
titude for this mddle.sized smooh.faced young man.
with buckeyes, high forehead and light, sunny hair,
has responsibility that may change the destines
Of America. 1t TO rest easily be rolls his
paper in busness-hke way and quickly raps on the
desk as the minute band touches - The busy audi.
sDce separates and. have the opinion Of Mr. Col
fax for believing it TO be the ablest House in many
years. We lock at it with some interest
Thaddeus Stevens, who bears his 20 years though
they were 40 looks stern grim and impassive. Schenck
Of Ohio bends him. and, considering he was
Yankee monitor in Baltimore looks quite smiceble and
harmless today AS John Shermans competitor for the
Senate be excites attention John Sherman seems
quite easy. loveyer as he stands near By returning
the sautstions Of Senator Harris who looks though
he were low wool-sack, grave, earnest. majestca
and Henry s. Lane Of Indiana who carries his never
absent cane and seems. like Methodist exhorter,
anxious TO improve the occasion. Banks quietly takes
back seat looking fresh and natty rather grayer and
marked than when he led the struggling party of
Freedom TO Congressional victory nearly ten years
ago. Mr.. Boutwell,, his colleague, with thoughtful.
angular face, ridgei forehead. and generally keen
Boston manner, enters into conversation with him.
Mr. Colfax the prospective Speaker is the center Of
group, and seems pleasant aud hopeful while Mr..
Washburne. the father Of the House. they call him.
smiles grimly upon his children. Bingham Of Ohio
who looks Ike fanatic is conyersing with Kelley Of
Pennsylvania. who does not; while Roscoe Corkling
With crowd of New.Yorkers is discussing the late
election in that State.
The Clerk quietly begins to call The roll and as he
passes Tennessee Mr. Maynard arises and endeayors
% interrupt him. that Tennessee may be heard The
request makes hum. but nothing more for the Clerk
declines to her him. SThe call finished and again May
nard strives TO gain hearing but Mr.. Morrill, quickly
GIps BIN up by moving TO proceed to the election Of
Speaker. Again Maynard beseeches. but the majority,
under the head OF the resolute Stevens insist upon
Wder rather sternly.
Brooks arises 10 his feet and In speech that reads
hhe an editorial Of The ErFre informs the House that
unless 1t changes it, and throws open the doors
@'Se 10 painting unreconstructed brethren in gray.
might as well not have country, which the crowd
ssned TO rather impatiently. although Brooks be-
comes Wild and declamatory. After tilt with
o'e'ens which creates a shout Of laughter, and
heaslrance that makes Long John Wentworth so
mgr that he continues bis Indignation to Mr.. Orth Of
INDIANA, Brooks yields, and Stevens in his SLOW
g lai'saFdoaic way, quietly forces his motion. as
I''ol oT The snappy, persistent. nervous Mr. Farms
.0na' Mr. johnson. Pennsylvania Dutchman tries
"tNp the tide but it rolls over him.
maynard takes his hat aud dissolves In the crowd,
eho MI Morrill, noninates Mr.. Colfax. Mr. Winfield
~nA'es JaEes BROOKS. AMID much good humor, not
'Aeoas, but fsthe- oommiserating tie New Workers.
immense minority All this hes Just taken tbirtythree
.na'es The call begins. and John b. Alley answers,
Dcho'sr Cohx." In this half hour a resouts majority.
% without anger with rare good humor, indeed,
-" Presents tie disinegra,ions Of the Republican
~ 'ec INFORMS the unrecontruced in gray that the
eA'er Congress is not TO kick open the doors.
M Alley begins the roll, the scene is historical
-" eaNries are crowded. Tie vacant spaces around
= e"eers seats arc crammed with Senators and
ss'' and Generals. and al manner of people, silent
uehse. The spell dses not las. long. for the yeas
70 30 rapidly that Mr.. Co,fax gets tired marking
''"' and ksns over to converse with Mr.. Garfield.
tne the to glance the scene. and feel
mere can be anything in phrenoogy the present
Fenarlable body Of men. How the types Of
s0naii'F nnge and blend. The Eastern delega
represent mentality the Western strengths the
s.ooie' discipline. MI. Stevens las 4 most obedient
s"! aud II votes and acts es one man. The spirit
d $50! slowly passes away. and by the time Mr.. Col
'ae oath and makes his brief earnest speech
,p'oceeds to the practical business Of presiding,
mat suggests ia its monotony and glibness The
,oh OF an aastioncer. the scene Is over; the cor
seNn ouse away; the galleries become hungry;
'sAe wing, aid the House goes on with the
II g,"o'ng gabby bus.ness, called legislation.
general desire 10 await the MESSAGE NJ tle
ps1d,,. -. - oifow This caused an adjournment
'S lie ~0lon Of Mr. Stevens The interest in