The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-12-11
Hon. A. III. Stephens.

louise. he sat Immediately in front Of the
peaker's chair, with his slonch hat on, and
is crutches by his side. His form, always
lender and delicate, is much drawn up, and |
s he totters along the aises of the house, he |
las the appearance Of one stepping into the
boundaries Of eternity. Strangers coming on
he aoor, asked to be pointed to Mr.. Stephens,
accompanied with kind remark Of this gifted
Southerner They seem to remember above
svery thing else, his remarkable speech a.
,ainst secession ia the Georgia convention in
1861. When the members were drawing for
their seats, Mr. Platt, Of Va, moved that
Mr.. Stephens be allo we'd to hold the seat he
had occupied during the organization, which
motion was unanimously adopted. Mr.. Dawes,
the oldest member, asked Plat why he had
not let him (D) make. the motion, as he
should like to be the medium of such cour-
tesy. Mr.. Plat responded that he did not
think of it, as the thought had come into his
mind on the instant and he had acted on
it. I4
MIR. Stephens called to see the President on
Friday last Gen Grant came down stairs
aud received him on the lower floor, where
the two had a pleasant interview for fifteen
minutes.
In conversiug about the present pay of
congressman, Mr.. Stephens thought it was
not too much. He said when he was in Con-
gress before and the pay was 50 per day,
members never thought of having their fam
lilies with them, not Of mourning the expense
of single room. Two, three or four would
room together, and board out at the cheapest
decent boarding house or restaurant. He re-
marked that there was no bribery then, but
draw poker was COMMON. Persona wanting
favors from Congress, would manage to get
into game Of bluff with members, and it
always happened that they lost their money
The members winning always felt kindly to
those whose money they had thus gotten land
Of course did not forget them. These re-
marks were piayfully made, with the qualifi.
cation that he never handled cards himself
1t is believed that Mr.. Stephens is very
kindly disposed towards the administration,
and will be found supporting its measures
and policy generally He will have great
influence, as his ability and honesty are ad-
mitted by all.
STANDING CoMMITTEEs.-Thre of the
most important standing Committees, in the
House of Representatives from Virginia,
viz: Public Buildings and Grounds, Hon.
j. H. Platt, jr., chairman. War Claims
Hon. j. T. Harris; Railroad and Canals
Hon. J. Amber Smith. The other members
are assigned as follows Hon. James B. Sen
err to Invalid Pensions and freedman s af-
fairs. Post Offices and post roads, Hon. w.
H. H. Stowell,, Manufacturers, Hon. Mr.
Bowen. Agriculture, H on. Mr. Davis. Nil.
itary Affairs, Gen. Eppa Hunton. Hon
James A Plat is also on the Committee Of
Naval affairs. 2"
Mr.. Sener was originally assigned to the
Committee on Privileges and Elections, the
most important committee ia the House, bu,
asked to be excused from serving.
The COMMITTEES on War Claims to which
is referred all claims, of whatever kind
growing out of the war, &c., is one in which
the people Of Virginia are interested, on
which Mr.. Harris of this district is the
representative. That of Roads and Canals
on which Mr.. Smith has been placed, will
have the matter of the James River and Ka-
nawha Canal before it, Mr. SIS constituent
are deeply interested 10 this great improve
ment, and it is fortunate that the untirng In
dustry of the Metropolitan representative will
be available in the consideration of the facts
that will be presented.
Notw outstanding the gentle protest of the
Whig, we ne new our suggestion that the
o1ot oFiueuco VI 'Ho sihociiey Va oh0 PloicS-
slons of the conservatives in the last canvass,
will be the re. election of Senator Lewis. 1t
S time for Virginia to come square up to
practical work. The Wing will hardly as
sumo that Kemper's majority was verdict
against the administration. The sagacious
editors of that paper we'll know that the sen.
ulment Of the masses Of the people is not adj
verse to the President The issue raised in
the last canvass was false one, and we are
perfectly satisfied had not the popular mind
been drawn off from the principles involved,
and became inhamed by passion and preju-
dice, Col. Hughes would have been elected
The returning Judgment of the people is al
ready manifesting itself Ia favorable con-
sideratiou Of the suggestion we have thrown
ont. Now Let the legislature carry out the
wishes of the people.
Hon. J. B. Sener. Of Virginia, on the 18th
introduced in the House of Rrep, esen ,atives
a bill to establish an educational fund, and
to apply the proceeds Of the public lands to
the education of the people. The bill sets
apart the net proceeds of the pubic lands
forever for the education of the neonle and