The New York herald., 1873-11-30
What Citizens Were Thankful For and
the small Occasion Members and
Visitors Have for Thanksgiving.
MEMBERSHIP OF TIE HOUSE.
A Review OF Prominent Characters and
Speculations About the Pros
pective Officials

thankful Has he not his awful prey, .'tne member
returned with his troop OF friends, who seems to
have been created by designing power for the
sole object OF being plucked. Therefore, the day
ha0 for the Washingt0nian genuine and unmlxed,
peculiarly sou-inspiring character. He squan-
dered money upon the ingredients OF Thanks
giving dinner without pang at the thought OF his
lavishness, for has he not at home some lodgers,
who will allow him to realize several hundred per
cent upon his investment
During the vacation OF Congress Washngtonians
Ietre to the attics and become anchortes, because
there are outside people here TO foot the bills.
As the day draws near when Congress is to meet
again the anchorites come down from the attics,
draw of the coverings OF the gorgeous furniture
m the rooms below and make as speedy transi-
tion possible towards the life OF Sybarite. This
year there is an increase OF prices all town.
"Why Is this 7" says the indignant member.
A'Your pay has been increased,n says the lodging
house keeper; "what reason have you to com
PLAIN % That explains the whole situation.
Through force OF habit the Washington people have
accustomed themselves to taking everything that
. stranger has. SO when the members became
possessed OF an additional lump OF salary Ii was
In accordance with the Washington code OF ethics
that prices shonld go up.
What had the strangers within the Washington
gates to be thankful forS The Congressman is
thankful that there is q Virginius matter to make
people forget back pay and other discreditable
transactions; thankful that the time is at hand
when jobs will once more be ''plenty as blackber-
RESP thankful for opportunity OF allowing his
cioquence to be aired IN the Congressional Record
for the benefit Of future junkmen; thankful alas
for much that legislator should not be, but still
thankful, as he thinks OF the coming days OF the
long session. The lobbyists thanked God that they
u or m md q a.
in that thankfuness. The newspaper men are a
thankless class, but they glad that times
promised TO be liveier although they had the
bitter-swcet consciousness that with plenty Of
news comes plenty OF work.
NEW ARRIVALS.
Congressman are coming now by every train in
shoals. The old standbys become settled after a
few hours, but the new members, of which there
are upwards OF $50, are strange compound OF Con-
gressional dignity and deserted fOrlornness. Most
OF them look like the hero OF that beautiful
idealistlc story once to be found In all School
Readers and which never failed to bring tear to
the biubberng school boys eye. 1t began, 'The
time had now arrived when James was to leave
his home for the first time. The hoarse rumble Of
the stage coach was now heard, &C." One can
ancy IN gancing at some Of the new members q
realization OF the fearful James idea, something
like this 1.-THE time has finally arrived when james
had found himself far away from his beloved home
OF virtue and sobrety, among the cold charities of
strangers and exposed to the mad dissipations OF
the gay and ascivious world Of politicians. The
hoarse snuffe OF the lobbyist is heard IN the dis
tance,o &c.
Every hotel has it's particular Congressmen
Just now they are crowded with members, but in
a few days many Of them will subsde into private
lodgings, and then only the regular hd6ites will be
lett. In the large rOtunda OF the Ebbtt House you
win ind OF an evening the best place TO meet the
average politician. II you wish to be comfortable
yon win take seat in an easy chair upon the edge
on without moving. The crowd opens There
come q party OF Western congressman. Wilson,
Of the Credit Mobier Committee, is at the head.
His face ls thinner this year; his round shoulders
have more OF a stoop than ever.
Make way for an honest man, novelty In this
crowd Let the Credit Mobiller prosecuting attor-
ney go to his ROOM for he Is tired. But before he
goes a correspondent catches hold of him. and Mr..
wilson is subjected to a cross fire OF questions Mr..
Wilson smiles languidly. No. he is not in favor OF
a war with Spain. He has his doubts about the
legality Of the capture OF the Vrginlus, but thinks
everything can be amicaby settled. ''Good
night" and he Is gone, wnile the correspondent
Who is this great shamblng man, with huge
hands and general air OF a lumbermanp His coarse
mar anG heard 9ae Su ms !" ee ON
great man Tor Indian affairs, whose speeches in Con-
gress are confined to deep-toned ayes and noes, as
the party bellwetner directs. Some one approaches
him. "What is the matter with YOU republicans
mp IN Wisconsin," asks sneerng voice. 'Oh,"
says General Rusk, ..that election you refer to;
well, you the republicans did not turn out"
sIsn't that too thinf' says the sneering voice. "a
majority OF nearly 10, 900 for Washburne wnen ne
ran against Doottle, and now ne is beaten by
Taylor by nearly the same majority. The change
Is too great" The great Rusk mutters something
about the liquor interest," and moves of wnere he
can find something more congenal to talk about
Beholda a character" of the House, SNYDER OF
ntting clothes are in Keeping with his shambling
figure and weird face. For what IS he notedr
en last snydr S1S s sef that
achieve fame In one way and some in
another. He was obliged to confine himself to
. channel within the scope OF his talents, and he
has decided TO achieve Immortality by wearing
white overcoat. So every day last winter ne was
seen hitting about the House here and there and
everywhere, but always attred in this white over
coat. lie was IN the foreground OF all the legisla-
tive pictures. Snyder is from Arkansas, however,
the antip0des OF civilization, and therefore it is
not right to expect too much of him.
Tramp, tramp, shufle, come and go the polti-
group-General Sherman, Secretary Belknap,
young oilcers-dscusslng the chances OF brush.
Once seekers with an outstretched hand, with
which they would like TO shake mankind by the
nand, SO strangely are their sympathies developed
by this most maddenlng Of searches for place IN
same In character, only at the Ebbett the rotunda
gives room for greater congregations that Is ali.
COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSE.
During the special session OF the Senate the
HERALD contained full details in relation to that
body. Therefore, shall confne myself in speak
bers OF which only ia were OF the Forty-third
Congress The republicans have over two-thlrds
will render tneir power this winter almost abso-
lutte.
In looking over the list OF members one finds
Quite "A number OF good strong men. The House.
as at present developed presents the following
Raiaxy OF old favorites and new faces as they say
Ia the play y-bilis sunset Cox, the funny man OF
congress- VINO has served seventeen years, and
, VINO was nearly heart-broken at his not being re-
elected last all, comes In place OF James Brooks;
BECK, OF Kentucky, the curly-headed Scotch
man, OF fierce, ungovernable temper,
who had to be restrained from kicking a
tennessee member on the noor OF the House last
winter ben Butler, OF course-what would the
Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary; Henry
L. Dawes, VINO, although tainted with Credit Mo-
bilier, Is not considered sufficiently 40 To cause
hlm TO lose MS position at the head OF the powerful
WAYS aud Means Committee; Charles A. Eltirldae
Of WISCONSIN, the cold-faced and thorough -paced
politician; o. Is. Farwell, OF Chicago: James a.
Garfield, OF OHIO, who for his lack or nerve in
carrying his load OF Credit Mobilier shame last
winter, will probably lose his place at the mead of