New-York tribune., 1874-05-18
ABSENTEEISM IN TIE SENATE.

''yAS-'i iA' AllL ClSNhiL'
EMPTY SEATS DURING IMPORTANT DEBArEs-DIFFI-
GUILTY OF GAINING THE ATTENTION OF MEM
BERs.
10 me Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: My classical studies having been long
interrupted am uncertain at this moment whether or
not the Goddess Justice was represented by the
ancens as bhnd. If so, her action sort OF con-
dtoh precedent TO the enactment OF law or merely an
hnrmlty with which she had TO struggle as best she
might while executing It'll Having been observer OF
the process OF for three or four months here
nave been driven to the conclusion that the venerable
lady aforesaid is careless spshod sort OF person who
can't be watched too closely that in truth, she Is about
as likely to enact folly wisdom, and that she herself
does MT care g which 1t is, provided she dsposes Of
each case up with the least possible trouble
to herself.
Tie Senate had before it not many days ago the case
OF sovereign State in which msrule, il not anarchy,
has had sway for good while, and which, in conse-
quence has only partial representation in Congress at
the present moment The question was in substance,
has that State government has it not land If not
what shall we do about it An inquiry with meat in it,
one would say; and yet Of the abes speeches 10
eiced was delivered to less than dozen Senators, and
the speaker that next succeeded made preliminary
statement to the effect that he could count his hearers
on the other side Of the House on the fingers OF one
hand! With such statement In mind, can one safely
consideredl Or has It perhaps come TO be true that
although all questions have two sides, yet In modern
legislation is only necessary consider OF them
Inc senate had before It, day or Two ago. the Dill OF
Senator Elmunds Of Vermont Chairman OF the Judi
clary Committee, in reference to the Geneva award
shall the Insurance companies share In the distribution
is the question. Mr.. Edmunds thinks they ought not;
while Messrs. Howe, Thurman, Hamlin, aud other IN
iuental members OF the Senate thlnk they
ought Mr.. Thurman had the hGor and
delNered very able speech in support Oh MS view
Inc decision or the question was was 10 nX tne dest
tion OF several million dollars, to say the least OF H ana
would seem, 10 spectator important enough 10 ue-
mand candid and patient hearing from the men whose
votes were 10 what this branch OF Congress cOhsu
ers just and true IN the premises. or the more than 10
members belonging TO the Senate less than ~ wee Tor
considerable part OF the time while Mr.. Thurman oc-
cupcd the floor present and Attending TO the matter in
hand There was much unceremonious passing IN ana
out, frequent handshaking, as II with " "lnqMriing
friends" for ceremony and inconsiderate akinS
IN loud tones by near the presiding officer
that he compelled to notice at least twice ana re-
m0nstrate against the ANNOYANCE. That upon such re-
monstrance. the oldest member OF the Senate should
co0y pass il off Joke, and cane III hand' push ms
way among tho chairs TO tue Immediate iroht oI
the President aud oier TO " make up II ne
had been doing anything out Of the way,
by taking pinch of snuff with HIM, actually fumbhng
for a minute TO lind how the snuDox was to be
opened and then going of with careless smile lighting
up his features, not very edying spectacle 10 tue
galleries. and FOR one the writer felt compelled to col-
eide with impatient remark or two OF Mr.. thurman,
declaring In substance that Senators were likely 10 de-
eide the question without having heard more than one
side /; being, il seemed to him. useless 10 talk upon 1t
ut all, SO little attention could lie gain.
or course Senators are but men, and get weary. as
Justice was only woman aud got blind; nut relnef,
a sharp remark from hOtelkeeper 10 his coOred
table servant few days to the effect that II he
eteT couldn't keep his open, he (BOnlIace) knew
plenty of other Peters who could. thought BOnlface
little harsh. his had good many matters to look
after, and his feet many hours OF the day but
there numbers OF monuments IN the world on which
Patience never known TO sit, and 1t Is just possible
the lady may be better employed elsewhere. W. t.
Washington, ID. o., May 49, 1874.