New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-12-08
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. Monday Dee . lS'S'
MEETING OF CONGRESS.

Washington, Monday, Dee. :, 1868.
MEETING OF CONGRESS.
Conore,s opened its session this morAing The day
ras cool wet. and wintry; notwithstanding which
The attendadce of spectators was large and brah''
The lobbies and corridors were crowded long before
nom with curious people who seemed to be glad that
congress had reassembled, and that Washington 1or
At least three months would be alive from the dull
ness and stupidity that has characterized 1t since
last July. 1t was q noticeable fact that among
the people who were in the Capitol to-day
we're but few strangers. This is rather unusual 1or
generally the beginning of session brings togetner
number of visitors from all sections OF the country
This absence of strangers may be attributed, per-
haps to the fact that nearly everybody who mas any
Intention of :visitingL Washington ON sightseeing
excursion is holding back for inauguration
day. The usual proportion OF those present
were ladies, and the Capitol therefore wore
, very cheerful aspect. So many changes
have been made during the recess, and so many i'm
provements effected that the inside Of the Capitol
especially the rotunda, is hardly to be recognized by
visitors All the paintings except the large historl-
cal pictures by Trumbull, Wier, Vanderlin, and
others which adorn the panels of the rotunda have
been removed it is to be hoped forever; and IN the
old hall of the House. all the buss, and all the pieces
Of nondescript statuary have been carried oil, to-
gethcr with such other rubbish as found
storage in the halls and corridors in
the center of the Rotunda, the fine statue of Hami
ton. by Horatio Stone, which lately arrived from
Italy, fills the space last year occupied by mud
Image of Mr.. Lincoln, and attracts much attention
The new bronze doors cast in Massachusetts, which
occupy places in the Senate wing are also objects OF
interest to visitors. Painters. GLACIERS, uphOlSterers
and cabinet-makers have been busy during the
recess, and the old furniture and trappings have
either been repaired or replaced by new. in
this respect the Senate wing is IN much
the better condition. The Sergeant alarms
Of the Senate has added many needed
improvements, and the chamber and galleries are
bright and cheerful. The committee-rooms of both
Houses have also been renovated, and the Capitol
throughout may be said to be in perfect order.
The House was filed with Members and specta-
tors long before noon. The Summer months and the
Fall months of political campaigning have made
little impression upon the Representatives. They
seem to be fresh and vigorous full of life and ANNA
tion. There were the same cordial greetings and
the old familiar faces. There was Washburne of
Illinois, the father of the House and the successor
of Thad. Stevens as chairman of the Appropriation
Committee Schenck, the victor over Nallandigham
the head Of the Ways and Means and the recognized
leader of the House, Blaine the accredited peer OF
Colfax, in a knowledge of Parliamentary law, and
ranking among the best debaters on the floor; Car
field. as handsome and seemingly as youthful as
when he made his great speech against the green
back policy of PendletOn, Butler, and Stevens;
Wilson of Iowa, with his white hair and dark beard,
the head of the Judiciary Committee; Butler fresh
from the trumphs of Essex; Bingham. Boutwell,.
and Jenckes the law authorities of the House, Scho-
field and Kelley Of Pennsylvania, the champions Of
home protection and high tariffs Allison and Girls
void the young and handsome colleague Of Schenck,
on the WAYS and Means; Banks and Fernando
Wood, models of dignity and eloquent as debaters
James Brooks, the leader Of the Democracy, the
champion of "a white mans Governments" Robin
son. the friend of the Fenan;' Ingersoll, Laflin
Ketcham, Robertson, ONeil Myers, Ashley aud Co
vode.
There was one vacant seat which could not fail 70
be noticed The absence Of that great and beloved
old man. Thaddeus Stevens, was not forgotten IN all
the hustle and excitement attending the opening.
II seemed odd to begin work without him.
At precisely u o'clock. Speaker Colfax raped the
House to order. The floor cleared OF the throng.
and members were Immediately seated There was
q very full attendance, 1G4 members answering to
tLeir names.