Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-03-04
BY THE WAY-NO. III.

WASHINGTON, D. c., February q, 1874.
This is the only lively place have
seen since leaving Memphis, not even
excepting New York. The hotels are
all full of people, collected here from
every State and Territory and from
various other parts of the world. The
center Of attraction is the capitol. The
galleries Of both houses of Congress are
daily filed with spectators, who appear
totake deep interest in the proceedings.
Many of these people / am sure are
strangers from distant States brought
here by real or imaginary business, by
curiosity and by hope of working into
some kind of an Office where the labor is
light and the pay great in correspond
ingly inverse ratio, for the less work
there is to do the larger the pay is the
general rule. Many persons having
business further east stop over here to
visit the public buildings and look in at
Congress that they may say they have
seen that august assemblage of the
nations chosen representatives Both
houses open at noon, and the galleries
are often we'll filed by that time. The
residents of the city, including the fam
lilies of Congressman and public officers,
are better posted, and only appear in
force when notable speech or debate is
expected, and then they show themselves
to be at home, with conscious flourish of
social supremacy that puts the
rustic plebeian afar off to some re-
mote corner, where he may men
tally smite upon his breast and
calculate the prayer Of the poor
publican when he went up to the temple.
One.third Of the spectators at least is
composed Of colored people. They re-
main longer and seem to watch the pro-
ceedings with deeper solicitude, SO to
speak, than any other class. Some OF
them sit still for hours when nothing Of
special interest is transporting. The
colored members on the floor Of the
House are not more progressing than
the average of their race, but they are
unite attentive and polite in their
manners, setting no bad example
to their white brethren.
Mr.. Alex Stephens when in his seat IS
always an object of interest and remark
among visitors in the galleries; but he
has not appeared for two or three weeks,
owing to i'll health. He is always worse
after a speech and with changes of the
weather. Many of his friends are per-
mitted to see him at the National Hotel,
where be resides, and he talks cheer
fully but is extremely feeble. Men Of all
parties treat him kindly alike, and none
are found to speak i'll of him personally.
His return to Congress and the cour-
tesy be has received at the hands Of his
political opponents, is the most en-
pbatic proof that could be offered of the
restored Union-restored in fact as well
as form. Mr.. Stephens has received all
the honor from his constituents at home
and the leading men Of al parties at the
capital he could desire With this
term in Congress he viii prob
ablv be satisfied, and we should think
wonld decline a reelection, if rendered
nv his admiring friends and neighSOrs.
Bpt the love Of Office and public life be-
comes stronger in men as they advance
II Years aud it has been truly said that
oHice-holders never resign and seldom
die.
] called to-day on Senator Bro"nioW
and found him, as he said, in his usual
health. Although Mr.. BrOwnl0w' II