The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-07
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH.
Advices from the Capitalize
Commencement of Congress
TO-day-The Work of
the Session.
Judge Kelley and the Suf-
frage Question.
FROM WASHING TON.
.cto, Despatch to The Ruentno Telegraph.


WASHINGTON, Dec.7.
Gathering OF COngressmen and Lobby
ists-Scenes In and About the Capital.
The trains from the North and the West
brought large numbers OF Senators and men,
bers last night and this morning, together with
numerous strangers from all parts of the coun-
try. Last evening the Hobbies of the various
hotels were crowded with men discussing the
probable action OF Congress on various mea-
sures at the present session. Senators aud
members generally spent the evening in cali
ing upon each other at their rooms, engaging
in friendly con versston, and comparing notes.
"Reminiscences.
Many were the incidents and anecdotes re-
lated as a part Of the personal experience in the
late political campaign. One Senator would
boast of the immense number Of people he ad.
dressed, while another would dwell with pecu.
liar pleasure upon the enthusiasm OF the au.
diepces to whom he had spoken. The Western
men, as q general rule have more stories to tell
about their cam paigning than the Eastern men
I'VE do things different In the West from what
you do in the East" said prominent member
from Iowa to one of the New York delegation
81 should think you did, judging from Iowa's
majority" said the poor New Yorker.
Washington this Morning.
At comparativ vely early hour this morning
the avenues and streets of the capital were
thronRed with men and women, presenting q
striking contrast to the almost deserted aspect
of the city for the last three months. AS might
be expected, nearly everybody was pushing
towards the Capitol to witness the opening OF
the session. Hundreds OF persons who had
never before been in the city roamed through
the public buildings, admiring their architec-
ture and their extensiveness. The majority,
however, went directly 10 Capitol. eager to
secure seats in the galleries before they should
all be occupied.
At the Capitol.
AS early as O'Clock busy thropg was surg
ing to and fro in the corridors and lobbies Of
the Capitol. By 10 o'clock the galleries OF both
the Senate and the House were pretty well
filed, and long before IL 1t was impossible to
obtain even standing room. The hall Of the
House and the Senate Chamber were crowded
with people, ladies as well as gentlemen, very
many Of whom were evidently strangers.
These busted themselves looking out the seats
of prominent senators and members, and In
admiring the elegance of the respective cham
bers.
The House.
The greatest attraction to. day, as indeed ct
all other times, was in the House of Represen-
tatives. 1t is emphatically the popular branch
of the National Legislature. Tne members
were in their seats at an early hour, fixing up
their desks and arranging their papers for the
business of the session. Hand-shaking and
personal congratulations were freely INDUCED
in by both Republicans and Democrats. The
Republicans, however, seemed especially Jubi-
liant and good. .humored. Many Democrat
was twitted, good-naturedly OF course. about
the result OF the Presidential election. "How
about that great reaction ?" and "Where Is
sey mour and Blairf" were questions con.
stantly passing from Republicans to Demo-
Gratis. The latter. 1t must be confessed took
1ifa vNtat nnhi ollu Inv
bly, retorted upon their successful antagonists
as best they could.
Speaker C0lfax
was in his room until nearly the time for the
opening of the session. He was. of course
called upon by large numbers Of his friends
When he came into the hall of the House he
was Immediately surrounded by his numerous
admirers and congratulated both upon his poll
tical success and his recent marriage. AS
usual, he was "wreathed in SMILES" and had q
pleasant word for everybody.
Jim Blaine, Of Maine,
was the centre of little knot OF earnest seekers
after the secret OF his successful management OF
| the campaign in that State.
How did you do 1t, Blame ?" asked one and
another.
"By hard work-hard work. and. nothing else, ,,
| said Blaine.
| "Well, you gave us a start" said q member
| from the Middle States, land we Kept the bali
| rolling"
A rough, hearty member from the West steps
| up, and, grasping Blaine by the hand says,
| "Gentlemen, here's the Speaker OF the Forty
first Congress. I'll go for him all the time He's
| the man that carried Maine at the outstart OF
the campaign, and that, you know, put back
| bone into all of u.s."
| hen Butler,
on account of the great fight In his district, was
| as you may imagine more observed than ever
| by the galleries, and completely surrounded by
| members He looks we'll, Notwithstanding his
hard struggle and the recent stories in the
newspapers of his dangerous illness"
"How are you, Butler?" says one and an
other
"First rate-never felt better in my life," he
replies
"Butler, how about Dana ?" shouts somebody
across two or three rows of seats.
"Played out-not much left OF him." sayi
Butler, amid peals OF laughter from the by
| ISLANDERS
"Butler, are you still with us on the bono
| question ?" asks a repudiating Democrat
you'll see where am before the close OF th'
session." says Butler, with knowing twinkle
ofthe eye.
"You will have Greeley after you, II You dom
L - ~.