New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-12-14
LOOKING AROUND.

lFROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
WAsHINGTOH, Dec 1.-THE XLth Congress ~ 10
novelty What with regular sessions, extra sessions,
and called sessions sessions 10 do business and ses
sions TO watch johnson, We have had 50 many open
ingsD that the last could not be otherwise than
tame. We had, TO be sure, the old hand-shaking
scenes varied with some new electioneeTing the old
languid interest about what the Message and Re-
ports would contain, varied with some new wrath at
Andrew johnson for what the Message was soon
found 10 contain; the old congratulations
and condolences and general geniality that give
vivacity to the scenes in either chamber
Oh the opening days, and make the initiated wonder
how so much good feeling can be wasted III the
greetings without ever lasting TO the debates.
But on the whole the first week Of the session has
been Enthusiastically dull The only thing approach
ing a sensation was the short-lived furry over Mr..
JohnsOns rare discovery of a way for the Nation 10
live high on the interest OF what il owes For
wonder the Senate forgot its dignity in the revelation
Of how mean Mr. johnson could be when he tined
and for another wonder, the House assumed
dignity it never had and listened patiently 10 the
tedious lecture 10 the end. You have had the
debate that followed but there was in il disclosure
Of what in New-YoTk you would probably call Red
Hot honesty in the Republican temper as to financial
questions, which the reports cannot fully convey.
The truth is the late campaign seems TO have
stamped ont more efectually than could bave been
expected the heresies that rampant last Win
ter There are still plenty of Republicans here who,
year ago, were loud in demanding that the bargain
to pay the FiveTwenties in gold should be Iepudi-
ated but they rather shrink from the
alliance Of Mr. Andrew Johnson. Even Gen. Butler
who ought to have been ready TO give the devil bis
due by praisng Mr. johnson when he could, sat
voiceless, Ybile Mr. Washburne at his right and
Gen. S2henck at bis left were shaking their fists over
his head in the vehemence of their denunciatiOns.
The Democrats themselves were staggered. The
Door plea of one weak brother that Mr.. johnson
might not after all, mean what he said, received no
encouragement; and indeed, out Of the whole House
but one man was found willing 70 give fair support
10 the President-a certain Mr.. Ross, of whom all
parties will agree in saying that lie does MT know
any better.
There was bit Of by-play in the House debate
which the galleries missed. WashbuTne and Schenck
we're cOntendng for the floor to take the first shot
at Mr. Johnson-not altogether, as the suppressed
chickering's in the knot Of members gathered about
their chairs indicated because of their general in
terest in the subject but also because the question
Of leadership was supposed to be involved. The old
theory is that the chairman Of the Ways and Means
IL the technical Leader of the House. When the
Committee was divided, aud it's former chairman
was nut al the head OF the new Committee of AppTo-
pratons the real Leadership necessarily went with
him because no was Thaddeus Stevens. Now that
Mr. Washburne is in the great dead mans place. the
old Committee is disposed TO assert its prerogatiye
and Gen schenck growled out his discomfort 80 that
none about him could fail 10 hear II, whenWashburne,
having on the first day moved the routine resolu-
tons about advising the Senate and the President OF
their meeting, now moved in lien of the routine
resolution that the Message lie upon the table. Inc
agns are that We shall have plenty OF similar jars
through the Winter
Mr. stevens's successor has been generally inquired
after, and has thus far been perhaps the man most
noticed in the HOuse. Distinguished men have
way OF being succeeded by very small ones, but the
new representative Of Lancaster has made favor
able impression, where favorable impression was
hard TO make. lie 10 thin, nervous-locking man.
with hair and beard that show him to be 10 longer
young, aud very intelligent face. But the man
who attracts most attention in the House is mar not
yet admitted, liz bridge 30 poIitlesl reputation