Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-10-18
THE FORTHWITH CONGRESS.
Opening of the Extra Session as Viewed
by a reporter.
Correspondence Chicago Times.

Opening of the Extra Session as Viewed
by a Reporter.
Correspondence Chicago Times.
Washington, October ia beautiful,
dreamy Indian summer day, a cloudless sky
overhead, a blue haze yelling the Potomac,
the avenues leading to the capitol crowded
by gaily-attired visitors, the carriages lazily
rolling in the same direction, the street cars
crowded, and gorgeous trees, lighting like
torches the pathway to the great white build
ing, where to-day assemblies the forsy-ffth
congress of the United States. Inside the
hall Of the house of representatives was the
gayest and most elegant assemblage that
has been seen here for years. In the diplo-
matte gallery, which is only a tiny square
penned off from the rest Of the gallery by
iron bars, were Webb Hayes and two lady
guests Of the presidents family occupying a
front seat. Back of them Birchard Hayes,
an innocent, gawky youth, escorted the
Misses Schurz, two fair-haired, delicate
featured young ladies of the highest refine
ment Of face and manner. They were
dressed simply in black, with white collars
and cuffs, round Grape hats and plain black
walls. Back of them was the beautiful
Young wife of Hon. Mr.. Bridges, of Penn
sylvania. Mr.. Bridges is forty years the
senior Of his bride. The japanese minister,
elegantly alfred in plain black and light
%aioyes, sat seda.ely between two Of his com
s.symen, and near him was an Acknowledged
ti.,led woman from the same far land.
There was also imposing numbers of
British legation,-all mutton. chopped
and eye.glassed, accompanied by
ladies' glittering with gems. In this
gallery there was a sprinkling of gold med
.s and orders and badges, but nothing ter
srjtie. In fact, the little pieces of rank sliced
lam the common herd was the plainest and
NJ st unassuming spot in the fiuttering and
smiling crowd that surrounded and looked
down upon the floor Of the house, where the
members walked about shaking hands and
greeting each other like boys on the frs,
day of school. In the reporters gallery,
which hangs like a pigeon box over the
speakers desk, were lean youths with note
books, peering down from the cross barred
fl 1t ceiling against their heads, roasting in
the hot foul air arising from below. The
hall, when the sounding gavel announced
the hour Of noon, was as hot as an oven
The members hurried to their seats, tn,
visitors took their places on the outskirt 0
the room and were discovered the familiar
faces in an orderly assemblage called con
gress. Dainty Cox rested his cheek upor
one siellucT Wultc udNu anu peISOnateu tni
lilv Of the valley. Bouk, of Wisconsin
'Gabe,'' had donned for this occasion
white shirt and appeared in a new blu
jacket profusely trimmed with brass buttons
He has a chubby, dark, beardless face, an,
curling dark hair. Hon. VIM. Chittenden
the millionaire merchant of New York
once a rival of A. T. Stewart, occupies
prominent place. He is a man of delicat
features and gray hair. Judge Harri,
chairman Of the committee Of elections i
the old house, and Gen. Garfield, the hane
some gentleman IRON Ohio, are shoulder I
shoulder. aWalkerthe handsomest membe
looked modestly from under his silver
gallery, where he met only leveled opel
glasses and admiration. Fernando Woo
who has been in congress until !
ranks among the veterans, had &
extra ramrod. put down his back #
,his occasion. In his lapel he wore