Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-17
Our Washington Letter.


prize Of the speakership, the result Of the dem
ocratic caucus this evening was an easy walk-over
for Samuel j. Randall on the first ballot. This
settles the unwelcome fact that the House must
again be governed by the partisan rulings which
80 shamefully marked the course Of
RANDALL As SPEAKER
during the last session. The result was brought
about mainly because OF Randalls refusal TO ac-
cede to the demands OF the filibusters during the
electoral count last winter. For this especial
reason he was warmly supported by Alexander
II. Stephens and others Of the leading Southern
democrats, as also by Fernando Wood, who II will
be remembered led the fight against the fbuster-
ing element on that memorable midnight session.
The latter fact caused the New York delegation to
refuse to put forward Sunset Cox, whose name
therefore was not heard at the caucus. Morrison
and Blackburn had also stepped out OF the con-
test, leaving the fight between Randall, Sayler
and Goode Of Virginia. Randall received one
hundred and nine votes; Goode twenty-three; and
Sayler twelve. The former clerk, sergeant-at-
arms and postmaster were renominated while the
position Of doorkeeper was won by Colonel Polk,
of Missouri and the former chaplain was dis
placed by Rev. Dr. Poiset OF the Southern Meth
odist Episcopal church.
Comparatively few OF the Republican represent
| atives have arrived, although most of them are
expected to arrive tonight or Monday. The en-
| tire Vermont delegation on the ground, Gov
ernor Hendee and wife arriving to-day, and are
settled at their former pleasant quarters on G
street. The new Congress which comes in on
Monday will be full of
NEW MEMBERS
| in both branches. Some Of them are striking
Improvement on those who have gone before
The Senate WILL we think, seem more changed
than the House. lie who will be most conspicuous
| not by his presence, but by his absence, Is Cover
| nor Morton. His vacant chair, and the raised
| dais on which the Senator supported himself
| when addressing the Senate, will be silent yet
| impressive reminders OF the stricken Senator
| When December comes it is earnestly hoped he
may be there in person. Perhaps the most cen
trail figure of the group to be sworn in on Monday
will be Stanley Matthews, not because of any SUI
periority in mind or personal appearance, but
from the fact that his name has been much upon
the public tongue of late and not altogether to
his credit. Nearly all the new Senators are OF
that temperament which has been considered out
of place in the grave and dignifed Senate, yet
always found in the House. To think of such
fiery, hot-tempered orators as Blaine. Lamar and
Ben Hill in the Senate reminds one of that MEM
orable "bul in a china-shop." How Lamar will
make the silent walls Of the Senate Chamber echo
and re-echo back in astonishment and wonder,
| his impassioned words of eoquence or his charac-
teristic outbursts of vituperation and wrath Here
Blaine and Ben Hill can fight over their famous
battle on amnesty, while JEFF Davis Ia calmly
writing the history of the at his sunny South
ern home
| THE EXTREME soUTHERNERs
| have strong addition to their numbers in Con-
gress by the incoming Of Isham G. Harris to fill
the seat formerly occupied by Judge Key. This
venerable democrat was one Of the original pro-
moters of secession but has kept very quiet OF
late, while in person he seems to retain his powers
of mind and body in remarkable degree. In
the place Of Bogy, noted for his partisan bitter
ness, we have another strong party man in his
successor, Senator Armstrong. lie is said to
greatly resemble Andrew jackson in person and
also in stubbornness of character, in the depth
and steadfastness of his democracy and the pro
family with which he is wont to give it emphasis
His face is pleasant one in repose, but when in
passion it becomes terribly forbidding. The
democrats will hardly dare to secure control Of
the Senate even II they have clear majority or
its organization, as the Republicans could easily
hold them until their absent members could ar
rive. Senator Sharon says he will be unable t.
attend the extra session owing to the pressure o.
his own private business. This is reprehensibl'
the part Of the Senator especially at this time
and should be severely rebuked not only by hi,
constituents, but by the Senate as we'll Senate
Spencer says he will be present on Monday, whit
it is doubtful about Patterson, as he is now unde
bail to await his trial on Wednesday next
In the House the most striking figure amonl
the new members will be Ben Butler, who is ais,
considered one of the most
PROMINENT REPRESENTATIVES
in the new Congress. 1t has lately been asserted
that the gallant Ben has become an enthusiast il
support Of the President. II this is true, it mus
be only because he has come to understand tina
will be the strongest side. Some Of the old lead
ers are gone, notably Kasson, McCary, Dude
Field and Holman, while Garfield, Frye Banks
Foster, Townsend of New York, Williams O
Wisconsin, and others no less eloquent and able
, remain to cope with Tucker, Cox, Wood an
Knott, on the other side of the House. In tn
place of Holman who was noted for his ridicu
lous ideas Of political economy, we have Colons
Thomas NJ. Brown, a Republican Of much learn
ing and intelligence, whose voice will be hear
r with credit to himself and his party. Governo
Cox, of Ohio, is another new member who is on
, OF the strong Republicans of his state; also Go,
| ernor Cahin, of Massachusetts, Governor Pound
of Wisconsin; Governor Rice, of Iowa; Genera
, McCook and General Ketcham, of New York-a
, strong Republicans; while the democrats gain tn
, greater share of their ability by the accession
General Ewing OF Ohio, and Clarkson n Potte
, of New York
THE OHIO ELECTION
has been one of the exciting themes OF discussio
during the week, and has quite naturally been til
source of much rejoicing in the democratic cam
here, There seems to be two classes of part
; men who feel happy over the result-the out-anC
out democrats and the anti-Hayes Republicans
1t would be hard to tell which OF the two were til
happiest the morning after election. The dem'
Gratis regard 1t as the beginning of that forwar
march which will bring them to a Presidents
victory in 1880, while the anti-Hayes men smil'
because they have splendid opportunity OF n
peating that very familiar quotation, I" told 20
sol" They attribute the defeat entirely to IL
Presidents policy, and take fresh courage in the
onslaught upon the administration. Senator Chri
tiancy, OF Michigan, in speaking OF the result
Ohio, says that the assertion that the Republica
4 defeat arose from disapproval of the Ohio RI
, pubicans of the policy OF the President Is bot
Y unjust and unreasonable. The cause Of that d.
Y feat can be traced to other things. In the fir
: place, hard times always initiates against I'll
party in power by creating restless spirit anon
. the Masses and consequently desire for