Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-03-28
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsHINoroN, D. T.. /
March 9th, 1871.

new House of Representatives. An actual
democratic ascendancy since its organization
is, by contrast, with recent congresses, even
more strange and gratifying; and such there
has been, despite the handsome majority by
which the republicans were iESle 10 organize
on the 4th OF March. A full hundred DEM
OcratS, harmonious, and compact in array, have
been more than n match for their opponents,
weakened aud divided by fierce and irrecon-
cIleable wTanglings. Butler, whose assumed
leadership OF the House has seldom been
questioned since the death of Thaddeus Ste
vens, has been able TO rally but n following of
some sizty-Of all colors; and besides the
scathinS rebuke administered to him by
Speaker blaine he has had the deeper mOrti>
fcatiOu of seeing his own elaborate Bill to in
! augurate an immediate reign of terror in the
south CONTEMPORARY set aside, and very
moderate resolution raising committee of in.
quiry to report in December, adopted in its
stead, by all almost twO-thirds vote az The
House. The House has passed several reso-
lutions for an Immediate adjournment, and
the Senate has regularly laid them on the table,
! prOlonGIng the session with speeches upon a.
fairs at the South, aud with efforts. as yet vain
70 unite upon some measure likely TO prove
acceptable TO their friends at the other end of
the capitol Having in u previous letter de-
voted some space to description of the Su-
! prene Court, l may not inarpropriately add
some remarks upon the National Legisla,
| ture; -HIOIc especially now that its general
| character has been SO much improved BY the
late changes in its membership The u. S.
Senate, to which we will first turn our atten-
| ton, Is composed of scventy-iwO members
Its chairman, Vice President CUIfax, is a
nle9Slut UN1 nh E,rty ,GVa
OF age, efficient and courteous As a presiding
officer, snd personally l believe popular with
both parties. He began life as a store boy
became an editor, n leading member OF Con-
gress, speaker OF the House, Vice President,
aud II his party cnalrtaiuS the asccndnucy his
promotion will scarcely end here. He Is u
partisan IN POLITICAL life as he is sid to be
upright in private lite.
Grouped together upon his right is the lit
tie band oi Democratic Senators-tuurteeu all
told with their recent acceSsious. In the
outer circle of desks, near the middle aisle vi
the Senate chamber, sits a sturdy, dIgmIfed
Senator, has whitening hair bctukening rather
the wisdom aud experience Of age than its
decrepi,ude. He Is ever in his seat, watchtuI
and earnest, missing opportunity to um.
mask ErIckery or TO dennuucc oppression, Quick
tostrlkc and always striking with effect. Il ready
and eloquent debtter, learned III constitutional
law anu IN POLITICAL history. Thus Is Senator
thurman OF ONO, the leader of that little
band, and. although it is forbidden to discuss
Presidential cauuIdates yet, already pointed
out by many signs US the leader who will bear
their standard to victory III the campaign of
( -. Supporting him upon the left is Garret
Davis OF NY, snail III size aud apparently
eu!ecb!cd by years, but still able To make the
Senate Chamber ring with ueuuucIatIOns OF
RADICAL corruption and uSurpauCn. Next to
Mr.. Davis Is more youthful CHAMPION lack
luS the power Of Thurman aud the fit. of the
old kentuckIau but sn active and successful
worker. logical speaker, merItIng no little
/ regard from his associates. THIS Is Senator
B'yard of Delaware. y few desks beyond
! we see Gen. Frank Blair o! Missouri prumI>
rent from his connection with the Democratic
ticket IN the last campuigr rather than for
any thing lac has yet had time 10 ACCOMPLISH
In the Senate. lie may be fifty ycars Of age
perhaps leSs-with rather a surIy air and
bearing In debate he is already recognized
as dangerous antagonist, aud his cOuur elton
With the Senate committee on Outrages in the
South IS giving him n fair field for the display
Of his power, which he seems very willing TO
improve. Nearly in front of him sits Mr..
CaSserly Of California with very white hair,
but features not aged and pleasant and
shoulder with Senator Thurman, not quite SO
vigorous u speaker, but clear in discussion
and reSOlute in action. Senator Johnston of
Virginia without being frequent speaker is
regarded as sagac!ous and prudent legislator,
aud our new Senator VIZ. Davis occupying the
cx'Teme left OF the democratic squad has an
intelligent face and a decided business air.
Passing TO the halt hundred republicans
that I'LL the opposite side Of the Chamber aud
crowd among the democrats, 1t is rs dI fTicuIt
TO award the foremost place III resVcc; OF uuIli.
ties as 1t Is to decide whether the other end of
the line belongs to Lewis of virginia, Bore
lnau Of West Virginia, or to some one of the
unknown carpet baggers from the South.
Senator Sumner Is a tall stOurly built man,
about 60 years Of age with dark hair ard very
long. His manners Is numpOus aud dictatorlul,
and his oratory marked by vehcmcnce of man
ner and ir;emperatcness of expression. His
voice Is not Sc pleasant as III years past being
now husky and mono:OnorS. lie Is without
On equal III the Senate perhaps rs a scholnr
Judge Irumhul! OF Illinois is Il much smaller
man physically, but Tor ability and indcpcnd.
encc he is to say the least, WITHOUT a superior
IN his party. Both GUNNER and Yrnbuil are
out of favor at court, and are likewise mu,
tually antagonistic, having on more than one
occ1>ion used very strong language to each
other in discussion. Both are sind TO be
and believe iruly-honcst men in private
, life. Cameron OF Pennsylvania who has iust
displaced Sumner chairman Of the cum,
rliICG or Foreign relations il 4 cunning look
Ing old nun, whom his own friends regard but
As crafty aud corrupt politician. Senator
Morton OF Indiana whose seat is near the
centre Of the Chamber is the acce pied leader
ct the Grant men in the Senate. Some bodily