The Portland daily press., 1869-12-10
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, D. G. Dec. 9th, 1869.
MEETING OF CoNGREss-sCENEs IN AND
ABOUT THE Capitol.
To the Editor Of the Press:
Though gloomy and cold, wet and disagree
able out of doors to-day, in the capitol, every-
thing appeared pleasant. The attendance
was large; nearly all the members being pres-
ent. In the Senate Mr.. Sumner seemed more
than usual the central figure in that cham
Der. MIR. Fessenden's death has left him the
real leader of that body, as John Sherman,
with all his activity and practical sagacity
cannot dispute the supremacy, as Mr.. Fessen-
den did by his presence alone The Massa-
chusetts Senator was welcomed with much
more apparent cordiality that of old. Mr.. Nor
rill was received with great cordiality, and
Mr.. Hamlin was pleasantly greeted. Conk-
ling looked handsomer than ever; Senator
Edmunds, Ferry, his colleague, Buckingham.
with his handsome splended ripe old man air.
eyes jolly and genial as ever, with fun twink
ling in every look or lurking in every motion
of his features; Cameron, white-haired and
withered, but looking as if full of juice vet,
provided one bit deep enough. Henry Will
son as pleasant, alert, and more rotund than
ever; Sprague, looking fresher and more boy-
ish than usual; Trumbull with his keen. nery
Gus expression, the very image of special
pleader, believing himself jurist, while the
other Rhode Islander, Anthony, appears to
have paid special regards to his good looks
during the past summer these and the 9TH
ers made up body of specially fine looking
men, dignified, striking, were qualified to look
it not to act the Senators. Most of them are
that also: Size goes for good deal in the
battle Of life; good looks for much, and the
capacity for appearing dignifed at least counts
in heavily. never see the United States
Senate together but am convinced of these
things. Garret Davis, for instance, has much
more ability than many who, even of his own
party, are able to get and hold the attention
of the Chamber. He lacks presence however.
Pomeroy and Ramsey dont do that, neither
OF them. But they are not Over-proyided
otherwise. This is all aside. There was
very cordial feeling apparent and good tone
pervaded the atmosphere. The message was
receivad with evident marks of approval, and
several points as that of Georgia, excited au-
dible approval. Senator Morton offered a
Dill TO carry out the suggestions of that mes
sage in that particular, which was put upon
its passage. =.
GEoRGIA-WHERE 1T STANDS.
There is still question as to the exact re-
quirements the President proposes. When
ever it has been proposed to require the test
oath OF persons elected to State Legislature
unoer the reconstruction acts, the decision
has always been that the only oath that could
be administered was the one required by the
constitution under which they were to act
Representatives Boutwell,, Paine and j. T.
wilson took that ground in their famous dis
patch about the Louisiana case Gen, Canby
decided the same way in the cases of North
and South Carolina. Gen. Grant himself in
the case of Florida and Of Georgia., directed
Gen. Meade not to require the test oath in
the case of the Legislatures. At later day
Congress passed supplemental act, applying
certain other rules to the States of Virginia.
Texas and Mississippi. Gen. Candy took the
ground that by this additional act the test
oath was required. The Attorney-General
however took the opposite view, so far as the
Legislature is concerned. The question there
is, what oath is to be administered? Doctors
disagree. 1t would seem plain that the test
oath is meant by the President, but his At
torney- General says "no such thing is in the
law" The present members of the Georgia
Legislature have all taken the oath required
by their State Constitution. A good many
have perjured themselves under it. But who
Is Is 10 decide what test they are to meet. Let
Congress fix it securely this time
SCENES IN THE HOUSE.
Members gathered early, and in large num-
bers. Different ones could be seen serving as
rallying points around which gatherings were
made. Here was Butler, looming largely in
person and mentality. He grows corpulent,
and with that great bald head-the very pic
ture OF bald eagle-ills large space and at
Schenck was near by and had a large group
about him. He has travelled this summer
put still retains the same old mastiff look
the heavy-set under jaw making one not at
all anxious for an encounter. There was the
nervous Bingham, retailing his
sharp answers, with all that querulous impa-
tlence which detracts so much from his in
fuence.
Your Maine members were all present.
MI: Peters looking pleasant, self-contented
ana anabie, Speaker Blaine important, but
anxious to know and be known of everybody
even to the extent Of taking especial care
of the anthracite coal and the annexation
questions together. Mr.. Lynch was early in
his seat, examining papers and preparing for
work, among the busiest, quietest and most
faithful men in the House.
Among the Democrats, Mr.. Cox seemed to
be the most popular. Some Jokes were at
tempted about his European tour and espec-
tally as to the Spanish part. He was often
asked j ne had brought castle back with
him. VOORHEES, of Indiana, was next in i'm
portance. OF course Brooks was well receiv-
I'd. There is an evident feeling of confidence
n the breasts of the minority, who when the
Democratic members from the South get in.
will be greatly strengthened. Some among
'hem are confident of seventy-two. They
will fight earnestly, foreign policy, Cuba &c.,5
nance, greenbacks, and reduction of taxa
ion are their cues. The reception of the
Message in the House was peculiar. Georgia
gave an outburst of applause. The financial
part seemed ito be mixed while there was a
decided surprise manifested when the yery
Ftshy paragraphs on Cuba were read.
The reference to the neglect of our COM
nercial and navigation interests was unex-
whole the message is regarded as a good
Moderate, well-written State paper, which
contains sensible middle opinions on most
Cuba. SPECTATOR.
REORGANIZATION OF THE UNrrvn Cn.nzs