The New York herald., 1873-12-12
WASHINGTON.
Alexander H. Stephens Addresses the
House on The Salaries Bill.
Aisles and Galleries Full and Members
Earnestly Attentive.
Spicy Tilting in the Sub
sequent Debate.

WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1873
Debate in the House on the s'Grab"
and the Salaries Bill-Spcech by Alex
andcr H. stephens-Imposing Scene
While the Rebel Ex-Vice President
Was spea king-Other Members Views
Sptcily Got ON.
The scene in the House to-day when the Speaker
announced that Mr.. Stephens, OF Georgia, had the
noOr was grandly picturesque. 1t was ntimated
yesterday that he desired to say mething on the
question OF pay OF members Of Congress, and his
infrmity pleaded for him more eloquently than the
request OF his colleague. But 1t was not what Mr..
Stephens would say that made the prospect Of a
speech from him so attractive. There was some
thing more heroic than mere curiosity in the
est desire OF Senators to be informed when the
distinguished southron had the floor.
A few minutes after one the Speaker gently
tapped his desk, to remind the members OF their
obligation not to disturb debate, and attention at
once centred on the gaunt figure OF the Repre-.
sentative from Georgia. who occupies desk mme-
diatey in front OF the Speaker the inner circle
OF seats. The galleries were full OF eager listen
ers Under the eagles wing, which over
shadows the clock, stood YOUTH peer
ing down the aisles, which were filed TO
suffocation. it was Young America contemplate
ing an event, the counterpart OF which s
preserved on canvas In Webster's reply to Hayne.
and in history, when Chatham inveighed against
the recognition of American independence. What
Q scene was this The Vice President OF the
ganized rebellion, who IA years ago was men,
ber, without spot or blemish, OF Congress, to-day
the cynosure Of all eyes How strange in contrast
with the story OF Bazaine's condemnation, and
how passing strange in comparison between the
strength OF the French and American republics
The doors leading to the galleries are jammed; only
the diplomatic gallery is empty, save two solitary
individuals Of foreign toilet The reporters sharpen
their pencils, put on their eyeglasses, and hush,
produced by the gentle tapping OF the small end Of
the Speakers gavel, ensues.
The surroundings In the House, and especially
about the orator, make picture which must
strike him with sense Of strangeness. In all that
crowd Representatives there only half dozen
whom he knew in his previous Congressional expert
ence. Who are they9 The tall, gaunt, Indian form
OF Maynard looming up above the throng; the
herculean form Of Bufflnton, Of Massachusetts;
the somewhat grizzly face OF Dawes, and the odd
spectacled English physiognomy OF his colleague,
Mr.. G00ch together with the black haired Marshall,
OF Illinois, from the Egyptian part OF the State,
and s. s. Cox, whose new name. "Dew Drop"
sparkles on every tongue. These six men are!the
only ones Of this Forty-third Congress who are
familiar with the voice OF the Georgian and who
served with him in the Tnirty-ffth.
How curioualy his little black eyes must have
gazed upon the strange faces about himl What
an eagerness on the part Of all others to
catch the words as they fall He rises drops one OF
his crutches in the asle he leans heavily upon the
other. Death the skeleton and Time the shadow
paint his picture, and put glossy black dress coat
hanging loosely on the shoulders with small,
cadaverous head, covered with a plum-colored vel
vet smoking cap, from under which the steel gray
hair creeps. Now for the ear-''Mr. Speaker?o
The first words have q music tinged
with the fun-vowelled Africanese dialect Of
the South. All are intent The democratic seats
are vacant; the crowd presses close up to the
orator. He INDUCES in a comparison between the
good demagogue who leads the people right ana
she bad ones who pander to them. He makes
classical then Biblical illustration. Does he
strike the keynote all expects Does he inveigh
against corruption, prOnigacy, extravaganza
Does he applaud economy and sei-sacrifce
There Is disappoin tment. Most think he has
changed with the times. The old days of
chivalry are gone; the mercenary years have
come. He has come with them. Gifted and pure
himself, passionless and almost disembodled. he
would have been the man to herald the better day,
or to renew that other time when John Letcher,
George w. Jones and others Of the South gave up
10 the public their service to save millions for the
public and make nothing for themselves. 1t was
q strange scene however, whatever may be the
sentiments expressed, the one nearly parallel be-
ing when Chatham, to whom the orator referred,
came into the House Of Lords swathed in fannels
and leaning on crutches. Only this difference ex-
lists in the two cases-Chathams demise soon fol-
lowed. Mr.. Stephens bids fair to live long here
hereafter he has lived since he left here in 1859.
Again, the clarion voice Of the young Cornet Pitt
and old statesman Chatham, which used to make
St. Stephens resonant, even to the purlieus Of
Westminster Hall, are in strange contrast with the
shrill lehke, octave voice OF the skeleton orator
from Georgia.
But they group about him. The orator is talking
about the Salary bill, and what can he say that is
marvellously attractive, In the centre aisle are
Senators Conkling, Window, Thurman, Bogy, Con-
over and others. Within almost arms reach sits
Ben Butler. To the rear Judge Hoar, thoughtful
and silent. A number OF members who served as
generals and colonels in both the Union and Con-
iederate armies form Gordon about the old mans
desk. The Speaker Is intent. He has laid aside his
gavel, for no one even whispers or disturbs the
good order Of the House. All eyes are fixed upon
the orator. and yet the burden Of his remarks was
that he was not only opposed to the repeal Of the
salary bil but did not believe the representatives
Of the people were sufficiently paid for the services
rendered. That is al. His time is up GARFIELD
and Kellogg, OF Connecticut ask that it be ex-
tended. Members press closer about him and give
undivided attention until he concludes his speech.
resuming his seat.
The Speaker announces message from the
Senate, among other things bill removing the
political disabilities Of certain persons and one OF
them Reagan, the Postmaster General Of the South.
ern Coniederacy and o former member OF Con-
gress, who sat near Mr.. Stephens all through his
speech This over, General Butler was the first to
han tba mi dv m a m a =
ing the gentleman from Georgia on mis- manly
assertions and the debate continued
General Garfield arose and took some excep-
uons TO the position assumed by the gentle.
man rom Georgia. Mr.. samuel Randall then
looked al the matter from q Pennsylvania
point OF view, which was that he voted for
the increased pay and proposed to rise
or fal on his action. Mr.. Kasson spoke lstrongly
In favor OF the bill offered by the minor