Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-12-18
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.


Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II, 1873.
was present at the organization of the
House, and although have witnessed sever
al scenes of the sort, none have been so inte-
resting as this.
The hour of meeting was IL o'clock. Long
before that hour, the galleries were filled to
their capacity and hundreds were turned away,
being unable to find even corner where they
might stand. I expected rush of the sort,
and came in time to locate myselfto advantage.
The members came in siugly and in groups,
talking and laughing, and evidently in the
highest spirits. Nearly third were new mem
bers, now entering the council halls of the ma
ton for the FIRST time. The cares ofState did
not seem to set heavily on their shoulders. 1
notice that all the Congressman looked happy;
as if doing not much of anything, and draw
ing sixty dollars day for doing it agreed with
them. should think it would agree with
most anybody. Sixty dollars day may seem
to the readers of the ENQUIRER high price
for Congressional service; and so it is, but that
is what our lawmakers voted themselves, and
we can't help ourselves. Seven thousand five
hundred dollars year, amounts to fully sixty
dollars day for what time Congressman is
here.
By the way this pay question is creating
good deal of tumult in the country. People
are dsgusted with the action of Congress in
voting themselves so much, and are not slow
to manifest their feelings. The pressure is so
great that the present Congress will be apt to
put the pay back to FIVE thousand dollars,
which is amply sufficient; for separate allow
ances are allowed for expenses in coming and
going to and from the capitol, and for postage
and stationery. AS members are not required
to be here on an average more than six months
in the year, the old pay was equal to at least
ten thousand dollars year, which is so much
as any Congressman is worth that ever saw
or heard of.
But to the organization. Blaine was of course
elected speaker. He is the best man for the
position the Republicans have, and it is of
course impossible to elect Democrat. The
Democrats voted for Fernando Wood, of New
York, and greatly injured the party by so do
ing, for Wood is back pay grabber and the
people have pronounced severely on that sort
of business.
Alexander H. Stephens received one vote
for Speaker, although he was not a candidate.
If the Democrats had all voted for him they
would not have injured themselves and their
cause, as they did by voting for Wood.
Mr.. Stephens attracts much attention. tie
hobbled in on crutches, and took a seat in
the front row, to the right of the main aisle.
He looks feeble and care-worn, his face is pale
and bloodless, his hair thin and grey, but his
eye is as bright as of old. Many Republi.
cans shook him by the hand and wished him
long life and freedom from his Affections.
There is no southern man of prominence that
is so popular among the northern people as
Alexander H. Stephens His just and liber-
al sentiments. before, during and since the
war, are all we'll known in the North and ap-
preciated.
DRAWING FOR SEATS.
At the beginning of each Congress there is
a new deal for seats. Of the three hundred
seats on the floor, one-thrd are considered
very desirable, and there is always keen anx-
iety to get them, while those back next to the
lobby are never taken only as a last resort.
To avoid the unfairness of a grab for the best
seats, they are disposed of by drawing. The
names of all the members are placed on sepa-
rate pieces Of paper in hat and blindtold-
ed boy draws them one at time. Mr. Hern-
don, of Texas, got the first choice. Poor old
Ben Butler was left until near the last, and
had to take a seat on the Democratic side.
This occasioned much merriment. Old Ben
thinks he can stand it if the Democrats can
but that's the question.
Mr.. Stephens, by reason of his age, inhrm'
ity and long public service, was allowed to
choose his seat without being put in the lotte,
~ with the rest This was done on motion OF
a Republican and was carried unanimously.
WHAT CONGRESS MAY DO.
The war cloud having about blown over, it