The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-02-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. G., Feb'y. 2, 1876.

w lUn lnHU llHc runHlDp through iy,ihihu
sat in the gallery of the House, and took a
good view of the top and bottom ends of
some of our Congtessmen. The bifurcatod
lower ends of numbers of them were visible
on the seats when they were hoisted in that
peculiar position which is said to be the
Americans idea of comfort, and lesson
could be learned from these feet. Some of
them were broad, strong looking, conveying
the idea that the owner was a man of will,
who, when che put his foot down." meant
business. Others were narrow and small
suggesting weakness, physical and perhaps
mental, upon the part of the owner, and
still others were of such enormous proport-
ions that they gave one the thought that
the owner must get fatigued by carrying
them round. But while the feet or minor ends
were of few varieties, the caputS were almost
as diverse in shape, size, and appearance as
there were members. Yon sound, well-shap-
ed head, with its full crop of hair cut close
and tinged by the passing hand Of time,
clear cut and well poised, shows power, will,
ability Ito do and dare, 'and marks a man
that leads wherever he may be thrown.
There is another, of different style, but
equally strong, Long from point to rear,
with projecting forehead, depressed at the
sides, with the hair thin and disappearing
1t shows brain power, nervousness, skill, and
we know as we look, that one of the leaders
of the body sits before us. See the small
pointed head, sloping from every way to the
center, and you wonder what that mans con-
sttuents sent him here for, and what he can
do more than say "aye" or "no," as his par
ty leaders dictate. A close examination
shows that this class, or Others indicating
the same characteristics, largely predomi-
nate, and few days watching of the pro-
ceedings proves that the divinity "that
shapes our ends" makes no mistakes in the
shaping, for the ones with the good ends
(heads) lead and the others follow.
Bennett, late prince royal, but now king
of the New York Herald, is going to be mar
ried. This is no false rumor to be denied
in time. He marries an American girl, born
in Washington city, and now resident in
New York. She is the second daughter of
DIR. May, and captured the erratic Bennett
at New York last summer. Bennett will
advance the season this year for his May"
will come to him in February. Well, peace
to his ashes, is the prayer of his bachelor
friends.
''There was noun ting in haste of the
Netherby clan," and so there is here of all
the clans. No young bride has been snatch
ed from her destined spouse and borne away
by an ardent Lochinvar from out of the
west, but there are many political movers
seeking a bride, and her name is "nomina-
ton" Among the democratic movers some
anger has been excited by Mr.. Speaker
Kerrs letter, expressing himself as favor
ing Governor Hendricks. This has been
most outspoken by the friends of that ardent
young lover from New York-Tilden. But
great many others, who do not "speak out
in meeting," like Tildin's friends, think the
Speaker should have held his peace, at least
for the present. Here the followers of the
grim Morton do not like Senator Sherman S
letter, nominating Governor Hayes. They
say it is an effort to spike Morton's guns.
But all the friends of all the candidates are
mounted and riding for the prize, while
sensible men like you and me look on and
laugh.
The woman sutfragists have been here in
full force, only some familiar faces were
wanting, Susan B. Anthony and Anna Dick
inson were not with them. 1t cannot be
that they have grown lukewarm, for they
are of those "whom age does not tire nor
custom stale" Those dear ducks want the
privilege of voting accorded to the women
of the District As it is one not now given
to the men, we all favor it here. Let Con-
gress make them voters, by all means, and
give us the experiment of woman's gov-
ernment on little larger scale than the
home circle. One thing is certain, there
could be no better place than this to make
the experiment, as all the governments by
men tried here have failed.
Investigations are the order of the day.
Everybody and everything is being investi-
gated. What will be developed by the
Smelling Committees is yet an unknown
quantity but have very little doubt that
they will discover, if they persevere, that
there are good oysters, fair article OF
whiskey, excellent terrapin, ,and fine import
ed wines, to be had at certain places in this
city. Some of the investigators may find
'big bonanza" in the shape of roll OF
greenbacks, Cheeks are not taken and
memorandum books allowed
1t is mournful to view the lobby. The
patriotic and high-souled men who congre-
gate here at every Session of Congress, each
one having Senator and two or three
Representatives for sale, are at a discount
like others, their occupations gone; for the
| men who have schemes have generally dis.
| covered that they have been purchasing
goods that could not be delivered. 1t rends
ones heart, and causes great tears of pity tc
| flow from the eyes Of sympathetic to see the
| blank looks that followed the announce.
ment that Tom Scott would not have lobby
for the Texas and Pacific bill The yultures
had congregated, expecting fat picking'
from him, when, like thunder clap in q
cloudless sky, came the announcement thai
there would be no lobby. 1t is to be hoped
that this wint er will give us the last of the
disreputable "third house," particularly a,
there is bill now before the Senate, to pro
vide bar which shall issue licenses to per
sons to practice before the committees. Thi
law requires that the applicant shall have
license to practice law in the highest cOur
of the State in which he resides, and pun
ishes any attempt toapproach members upor
the subject Of bill.
Our "ioreign relations" continue to he il
a confused condition. The truth is that i
would require more acumen than the ordi
| nary mortal possesses to arrive at any con