Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-21
THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

Correspondence Clncinnatl Commerclal.

Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial.
WASHINGTON, Dec. u, 1S71.-The Sen
ate chamber IS a gem of a place, fitted out
regardless of expense, by Uncle Sam, who
allows his servants TO use his money liberal
iy in decorating their transient quarters. In
construction and arrangement the Chamber
is like the Hall Of the House of Representa-
tiyes, with the exception that it is not as
large nor so difficult to speak in. The
House is a perfect bedlam, hive of dis
cordant voices while Congress is in session,
but the Senate is far more dignifed and
decorous body. This is probably because
it is smaller, which does not make it neces-
sary in order to fill the measure of speech,
that two or three speak at once. e.
An hour before the Senate met to-day the
Senators began to drop into the chamber
and take their several positions. First came
Zachariah Chandler, the great statesman
from Michigan, with a quick, nervous step
and important air, as if his presence was of
great importance to the well being of the
country. His face is smooth, ,hiseye-glasses
gorgeous, and his attire faultless. But time
and the cares of State are making inroads
upon the distinguished Michigander. They
have already commenced operations on top
of his head, and scooped off a bald place as
large as dollar. He has made great wealth
in the dry goods and grocery business, and
to his money he owes his seat more than to
his ability. He has been in the Senate con-
stantly for fourteen years, and still has
some four more years to serve before it will
be necessary for the appreciative Michigan
ders to send him again.
Next comes Morton, hobbllng in on two
canes, large, apparently stoutly built man,
but so afflicted with weakness now, as to
almost prevent him from getting about. He
occupies seat in front of the Speaker, has
an extra cushion to sit on, and ''stay" at
tached to his desk to lean upon when speak
ing. He speaks mostly, however, in a sit
ting posture.
Following Morton, comes Sumner, by
many considered the foremost man in the
Senate. Tall, large, heavy, he unites a
large brain with an enduring body. His
mixed gray and brown hair is neatly comb
ed on top of his head. but runs to confusion
at the ends. He darts to his seat, and is
instantly absorbed in business. He reads
half dozen letters, glances over the Globe,
sends for books, and prepares for the days
campaign. In twenty minues after arriv-
ing, he has his desk fortified with book, and
the space all about him strewn with papers.
Summers great hobby is the equality of
the races" He believes in mixed schools,
mixed churches, and labors continually to
bring the black man up the white mans
standard, or get the white man down to the
black mans standard, he don't care which,
so there is 'no distinction" If our black
fellow-citizens should wake up some fine
morning and find themselves white, Sum-
ner's occupation would be gone.
Buckingham, of Connecticut, saunters in,
a well preserved old gentleman, near on to
seventy, dressed in broadcloth, his head a
little bald, and good deal gray and faint
attempt at side wh;skers.
The greatest of the Senators then came
slowly in through two side doors, as one
would not admit him. He stops, takes off
his hat, draws long breath, looks down at
his felloW-men, takes a few more steps,
slowly, and deliberately, for great bodies
move slowly, and admits himself with sol
emn precision into his chair. This is
Pratt, the immense Indiana Senator. His
face is smooth, his skin sallOw, his hair
sIrinkled with gray, and there is something
in the cast of his features that suggests
Henry Clay.
BrOwnlow, the stricken Senator, follows
Pratt, and is carefully handed into his seat.
An extra large sofa chair is furnished him,
and there he sits from beginning to end of
each days session, never attempting to
rise TO his feet. But he always votes, and
if he has any particular views to urge,
he has them committed to paper and read
from the clerks desk. His face is thin, and
pale and smooth, and his whole appearance
that of a man utterly Frustrated. But he
sticks to his work, and is always at roll
call.
Flanagan, of Texas, sits next to him, a
gentleman with the usual bald head and
spectacles.
In front of Sumner sits his colleague,
Wilson, man of above average size, with
a fine round head, surmounted by the Gus
tomary senatorial bald space. Wilson be-
gan life as shoemaker and is still known as
the Massachusetts, cobbler by those who
think he should have stuck to his trade.
Pomeroy, of Kansas, puts in an appear
ance, and commences reading the Congress
sional Globe, sheet of immense interest
to those who use it as an escape-yalye for
their feelings.
Near Summer sits Fenton, of New York.
He is sparely made, of medium height, his
head is covered with luxuriant growth of
gray hair, slightly sprinkled with brown.
HE face is thin, his forehead not high, and
there is nothing about him to indicate that
he is distinguished man.
Following Fenton comes the handsome
man of the Senate, Roscoe Conkling, New
York's other representative. His golden
colored hair is curled into thousand twist
ed ringlets, and little bunch of it is ar
ranged in most artistic shape on top of his
head. His wbiskeFs are golden, like his
hair, or more so, and they, too, have felt the
magic touch of the hot iron and curling pa
pers. The ladies all turn their glasses upon
Conkling when he comes in, and keep them
there until he goes out, and then look at the
door several minutes through which he
passes. He dresses in the most faultless
taste, and when he speaks, which is often,
whether he has anything to say or not, he
turns his eye to the gallery.
That old man who has just stepped in is
Hamlin, of Maine. He is now over sixty
years of age, but looks much older. His
hair is gray and there is little of it. His
face is thin and smooth.
Mr.. Edmunds, of Vermont, appears. He
is of medium size, with bald head and
heavy whiskers, as if his hair had slid off
from his head and he had caught il in his
mouth as it fell.
Senator Ames, of Mississippi, comes next.
he is rather handsome young gentleman,
with pleasing address, dark brown hair,
smooth face, black mustache, and decid-
edly military air.
Trumbull of Illinois, takes his seat. In
appearance, he is not prepoSsessing. lie is
rather below medium size, clean, smooth,
almost boyish face, and thin hair. 1t is
only when he rises to speak that he comes
any where near filling your beau ideal of
Senator. But in truth he is one of the
ablest men on the floor.
Carl Schurz sits near him, the center Of a
nest of anti-GraneSenators His history is
an interesting one. He was born in Ger
many, in 1929, took part in the revolution of
1S48, and was in consequence compelled to
flee. Went to Paris and taught school, and
from there came to America. Was dele
gate to the Chicago Convention, of 1860,