Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-03-22
Tae Scene i'm the senate TODAY.
ASDREw JoHNsoN'S FIRST SPEECH SINCE
HIS RETURN.


HIS RETURN.
The announcement that ex-President AMI
Senator Andrew Johnson. of Tennessee
would speak to-day, drew large crowd TO
the Capitol At 1880 O'Clock every seat was
occupied, and crowds were surging through
the lobbies in a vain endeavOr to effect an
entrance at lone of the doors leading into
the galleries. As usual on such occasions the
number of reporters was very large, and it is
safe TO say that every newspaper I'm the co In-
try was represented. OF the audience in the
galleries Two thirds were ladies. Among
those who occupied seats In the guests gall
leries were Fred erick Dou glass, of this city,
and Miss Phebe CozZens, OF st. Louis. The
diplomatic gallery was comfortably filled.
M the %otc e ba et tbaPre wa for men it
black faces to-day, fully ninety-nine
One-hundIedth of those present being white.
Ga the floor OF the Senate chamber about
one hundrt Re sons occupied seats in chairs
and on the sOfH7. Among these were Hon.
Sam. Randall a Id several OF her members of
the sd Congress. The ate ldance of repub-
lac IN Senators was rather slim. Senators
COnklIng and Edmunds absence was nota-
BILE ITom the fact that both voted for the con
vIet- on of Mr. Johnson on has impe lchment
tria'. Several Senator'S who voted the same
way were present, however, among them
Mr.. Nj on, ION, who moved up two or three seats
nearer to Mr.. Johnson and during his re-
marks paid the closest attention. Hon. J. Il.
Beck, OF Kentucky. with his arm in a sling,
sat within two seats of Mr.. johnson. a9i
was an attentive listener. Mr.. Christia1 ICY,
about the chamber with his hands behind
hiIn, was also in t1e vicinity OF Mr.. John
sons seat.
Mr.. johnson did not appear until the Rev.
Mr.. Sunderland had concluded his prayer,
when ne emerged from the cloak room on the
democratic side and slowly walked to his
seat. Hewas dressed with mis- usual care aud
neatDess. His hair, which though quite
gay, is still suffice atty luXuriaht To cover
every part o. has head, was nicely brushed.
He w3s dressed in black fvock coat and
pants and a black velvet vest across which
was suspended a small gold chain. He wore
as he did when in the White House, a stand
ing collar and a black stock. On his desk
had been placed half o. lemon aud q
glass of water. AT about four minutes after
noon Mr.. Johnson rose and silence fell upon
the large audience. He began speaking in a
low but distinct tone of voice, which steadily
swelled in volume until IL 1ill2d the entire
chamber. For sometime after he began
speaking he made no gestures, bat stool be
tween two desks, with n hand on either. He
soOl warmed up with his subject. however.
and assumed his old and well remen b cred
style of oratory. AS usual, he occasionally
made grammatical slip, but this was
scarcely noticeable, none of his inaccuracies
OF speech being of a marked character. He
spoke without notes, and frequently consult
ell several books of reference which Law on
his desk. He began by saying that it was
evident that he was expected to make a long
speech. but that he would be compelled TO
dlsappoint expectation, as he hal but few
words to say. 1t soon became evident. how
ever, as he warmed up with his theme that
he would talk for some time His animal
versions on the administra ton were evident
ly relished by many o. the occupants of the
male galleries, who loudly applaudci when
he said IL Grant was elected third time
then farewell TO the republic The chair Mr.
Ferry, at once interrupted Mr.. Johnson to
state to the galleries that applause was pro-
htbitCd, and must not be repeated. He then
directed the sergeant at aIms TO take precau-
tiOns to prevent a repetition of the offence.
and soon aIier Capitol policemen appeared
in the aisles to preserve order.
Al twenty-five minutes to two Mr.. Johnson
said he had spoken lolger than be had in
tended and would close, but several demo-
cratic Senator's said 80 ol,' go on" and
ne continued, and finally closed his speech at
orr minutes after two o'clock, having
sIoken Jrst two hours. At its close the. e
vas another 81 ght .1pple OF applause. After
Mr.. john on had taken Ills seat he was
V@TfnIy congratulated oy number o. dem
Ocr1t'c EenafOrs.