The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-04
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 1875.

Usually the proceedings of Congress are
such that one grows thoroughly tired of
them after the first fewldays of the session,
and only keeps an off eye in that direction
as matter of duty, and to escape the
charge Of being ignorant on the interesting
subject Of subsidies and other moral mys-
teries.
During the last few days, however, the
floor of the House has been the arena upon
which one of the most interesting battles
in which endurance is the principle weap-
on, has been commenced and is yet in
progress. .- --u-.. .--....t
You will, no doubt, remember that Sen
ator Sumner, before his death, bequeathed
his Civil Rights bantling to the tender
care of B. Butler, we'll knowing that where
deep fnesse and firm determination could
carry a measure, however obnoxious,
though, the Honorable Benjamin was the
man to do it. Well the minority, knowing
that Summers hated offspring was to be
adopted on certain day, rallied for
fight against that measure, and have, so
far, succeeded in keeping the fatal feather
from the Datl0nal camel Dack.
The leader of the minority is Mr.. Ran
dali, of Pa.-tall, rather handsome, with
very dark eyes and hair, and an air of
good humOred indulgence, behind which an
iron will, unfagging watchfulness and end
less endurance combine with superior
mental qualifications to make him tower
of strength and formidable opponent.
When some weeks ago sat in the gal
lery, some question came up for a vote
The minority were not quite satisfied with
the result Of the mere ayes and noes, and
finally Messrs, Randall and Tyner were
selected to count noses" AS they stood
within the semi-circle in front of the Speak
er's chair-one Democrat, the other a
Republican, one tall and dark, as | have
described him, the other also tall but fair
blue eyed, straight as an arrow, with
smaller, more regular features-and Inoted
how patiently MIR, r. continued to count
the votes of his side, although outnumber-
ed three to one, felt like quoting Lochiel' s
warning to his blue-eyed opponent, augur-
ing from his quiet persistence in the mat
ter that, when once the opportunity came
he would prove to be one Of the Old Guard
indeed.
Well, when during the forty-six hour
session saw him again, good humored as
ever, with his bouquet, teapot and teacaddy
on his table, while little squads of the mi
nority slipped out, under his direc-
ton, then returned and gave another
squad the same chance, he during all
that time remaining at his post, open
eyed and vigilant, felt such an ad-
miration for the man that l wished every
appreciative person could enjoy the sight
OF one man virtually keeping at bay the
heretofore all powerful and victory flushed
majority. And when, after the adjourn
ment, he picked up his bouquet, teapot
and canister and joining in the laugh
raised by his loaded appearance, left the
floor, master of the situation, should
have been tempted to "rah' for Randall
/ know, had been there. -.-.
The majority may eventually pass the
much-dreaded bill; but if earnest wishes
avail anything, then the minority ought Ger
tainly to be successful in defeating it, al
almost everybody expresses thorough dis
appreciation of the measure.
Taking of tea reminds me that the lat,
tea-fght at the capitol, which / mentioned
some weeks ago, has left some of our fash
ionable ladies enveloped in rather bat
aroma. After THE Women's Centennia
Executive Committee of Washington" (hoy
is that for name?1 had held high carniva
in the rotunda of the capital, 'FOlivia," O
the Philadelphia Press, intimated that
might be desirable to have some accoun
rendered of the money received. The
1.-THE committeel then published the follow
ing statement:
Money received from all source s... $6 Az
Cost Vi Senlenhlal cups. 1,25
supper ana otner expenses observation-disclosures. LAT
Net receipts. 1858
Which, to people outside of Washington
may look very correct indeed but to tn
minds of those present presents an appear
ance of suspicious fimsiness.
WE'LL "Oliyia" in search Of knowledg
found that the cups-stone china of til
coarsest kind-cost less than 81 per dozer
and were all sold. Taking then the con
mittee's own figures 81, 252, they will sho
that 626 doz. or 1872 cups, (all of whic
were sold at prices ranging from 81 t
$3.50 per cup) will alone swell the amour
received to considerably more than Sc, Ali
and when it is taken into considerable