Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1866-01-20
NUMBER 2.
The Opening Scenes Photographed.

All the interest attending the opening of Con-
gress centercd in the House The action Of the
caucus and the known determination of Mr.
Mcpherson in regard to the roll, made the result
Il foregone conclusion. At the time, the
will of the minority had not transpired, and it
was not known whether we should escape the
flibustcring scenes of the ante-Rebcllion Con-
gress.
The Senate organized very quietly. The
beautiful weather, soft and warm as Spring,
attracted thousands to the Capital, and long
before the hour of twelve the galleries of both
honses overflow. The floor is covered with a
busy and merry throng, becomes the first
Congress after the war. As the Clerk quietly
trips up the side aisle, buzz of curiosity runs
through the multitude. for this mdde-sized,
smo0th-iaced young man, with blue eyes, high
forehead, and light sunny hair, has response
bility that may change the dcstinies Of America.
1t seems to rest easily he rolls over his paper
in busncss-lke way, and quickly raps on the
desk as the minute hand touches twelve. The
busy audience separates, and we have the
opinion of Mr. Cot&x for believing it TO be the
ablcst House in many years, we look at it with
some interest
Thaddeus Stevens. who bears his seventy
years though they forty, looks stern,
grim and impressive. Schenck of Ohio, bends
over him. and, considering he Yankee
monitor in Baltimore looks quite amiable and
for the Senate he excitcs some attention. John
Sherman seems quite easy, however, as he stands
near by returning the salutations Of Senator
Harris who looks though he were low on
wool-sach, grave, earnest, majestical, and Henry
). Lane, of Indiana, who carries his never alb
sent cane, and seems. like Methodist exhorter,
anxious to improve the occasion Banks quietly
takes back seat. looking fresh and uatty, rather
grayer and more marked than when he led the
struggling party of Freedom to a Congressional
victory nearly ten years ago. Ny Boutwell,, his
colleague, with thoughtful. angular face, rigid
forehead and generally keen Boston manner,
enters into conversation with him.
MIR. Cotax the prospective Speaker, is the
center of the group and seems pleasant and
/ hopeful. while Mr.. Washburnc, the father of the
! House, rs they call him, smiles grimly upon his
children. bingham, of Ohio, who looks like
fanatic, is convcrsing with Kelly, of Pennsyl-
vania, who does not while Roscoe Conkin,
with a crowd of New Workers, is discussing the
late elections in that State.
The Clerk quietly begins to call the roll, and
rs he passes Tennessee Mr.. Maynard arises and
endeavors TO interrupt him, that Tennessee may
be heard The request makes hum, but moth
ing more. for the Clerk declines to hear him.
The call finished, ana again Mr. Maynard strives
to gain hearing, but Mr.. Morrill, quickly trips
him up by moving to proceed to the election of
Speaker. Again Maynard beseeches, but the
jorty under the lead of the resolute Stevens in
sIst upon order rather sternly.
Brooks arises to his feet, and in speech
that reads like an editorial OF the Express, in
forms the liouse.that unless it changes its course
and throws open the doors to the ninety painting,
unreconstructed brethren in gray, might as
well not have country, which the crowd listen
Cd to rather impatiently, although Brooks be-
comes wild and declamatory. After tilt with
Stevens. which creates a shout of laughter, and
4 remonstrancc that makes Long John Went
worth so angry that he continues his ndigna-
ton to Mr. Orth, of Indiana, Brooks yields, and
Sievens. in his slow, caustic, half-sardonic way,
quietly forces his motion, assisted by the suappy,
persistent, nervous Mr.. Farms worth Mr.. john
son. Fenns yvania Dutchman, tries to stop the
tide, but il rolls over him.
Maynard takes his hat and dissolyes in the
crowd. and Nr. Morrill, nominatcs Mr. Cofax
Nj. Winfield dominates James Brooks, amid
much good humor not malicious, but rather
comIniserlting the New Workers. immense mi
nority. Al this has just taken thirty-three min
utos. The call begins, and John b. Alley ans
wcrs. Schuyler Coltiax.' In this half hour a
resolGtc majority, calmly, without anger, with
rare good humor indeed, quietly presents the
disintegratons Of the Republican party, and
informs the unconstructed in gray that the way
to enter Congress is not to kick open the doors.
As Mr.. Alley begins the roll, the scene is his
torical. The galleries crowded The vacant
spaces around the members seats are crammed
with Senators, and Judges, and Generals, and
all manner Of people, silent and dense. The
speil does not last long, for the yeas roll up so
rapidly that Mr.. Colax gets tired marking his
roll and leans over to converse with Mr.. Gar
field. We improve the time 10 glance over the
scene, and feel that if there can he anything in
pArenoloey the present House is a remarkable
body Of men. How the types Of nationality
miugle and blend. The Eastern delegations rep
resent mentality; the Western. strength the
Middle, discipline. Mr. Stevens has most ODE
iicnt majority, and it votes and acts
The spirit of anxiety slowly passed away, and
By the time Mr.. Colfax takes the oath and makes
his brief, earnest speech, ard proceeds to the
practical business Of presiding, business that
suggests by monotony and glibness the profession
Of an auctioneer the is over the cor
respondents hustle away the galleries become
hungry the ladies take wings, and the House
Nc on with the slowl y-noying gabby business,
caNkd legislation.
TN Senate caucus met after adjournment this
afternoon, and appointed committee TO prepare
and report its Standing Committees.
NATURAL CuRIosIrIns.-In the middle of the
treat Humboldt salt bed is fine fresh water