, 1877-02-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

IN the SenAto--tteUTUQ " Hto UU''e' ''" ~
applauding The defeat OF Senator's Lo-
qan and neutrality-suspicious. Of the
Daily Chronicle exciting 'oeeE
ahead = Etc.. etc.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Jan. 20. 1871
At no time 1ince the opening OF this,
the second session of the forty-fourth
Congress, have the Senate galleries
presented SO animated an appearance
as on Saturday last, when debate on the
Electoral (or "Comprowise." as some
call it bill was commep ced in that body
As rule, it would appear that the Sen
ate does not possess the Same attraction
neither for visitors or for the regular
hab,tues. who make 1t n point to visit
the Capital regularly every day. as does
the House of Representatives; for while
the galleries of the last named hall are
nearly always comfortably filed. the
Senate galleries usually present our
array of empty seats behind the two or
three front rows. This. suppose, is
attributable TO the greater quietuie and
decorum which prevails in tn Senate,
where everything moves quietly and
methodically. like clock work; while
the lower branch of our national legis
latrre has more the chara ter Cat times.
at least,) of an nnrnly school. whose
preceptor finds it hard to manage his
boys who aciN persist in interruptirg
each other, and sometimes even go 50
far as to call each other names. 1t is
rarely that Gay passes. during con
gressional session, without some anus
Ing scene or other occurring in the House
especially if Mr.. "Sunset" Cox, Of New
York, is in his seat; while in the Senate
the gravity which characterizes its pro
ceed.ngs is never (or only on very rare
occasions indeed) disturbed by levity in
speech or action.
! Last Saturday was. however, an ex-
cep,ion, and long before twelve O'Clock
the Senate galleries were crowded. Sem
ator Edmund's eloquent and logical Ge
fence of the bill was listened to with
evident satisfaction; but before he COM
menced in earnest. scene occurred
tho like Of which has not been Witnessed
there since 1861. In debate between
Senators Sherman. of Ohio. and Bogg
of Missouri. the latter gentleman de
| nounced Mr.. Packard the Republican
| Govepor in Louisiana. In rather strong
terms, which ELECTED the applause OF
| the galleries. Applause in the House
is of frequent occurrence. and, while
against the rules, is seldom punish d
save by public reprlmand by the
speaker and a warning against its repe-
ti1on; but here the applause. that con-
sisted in the clappipg of hands and
stamping of feet. had scarcely comneu>
ced before Senator E Eimund5 jumped to
his feet and demanded The clearance of
the galleries. Some dla'ory debate en-
sued; but the clearance of that portion
of the galleries. at least, from where the
applause seemed to proceed, was ill.,
sisted on. A large number of the oc-
cupants were ladies'. who did not hest
tate to- express their Indignation aud
begged to be allo wed to remain; bnt the
doorkeepers. marshaled by deputy
Serge ant at al ms, were infexlble and
all the occupants of the entire west gall
lery were marched out, one by one, the
inno cent suffering with the guilty. 1t
WIS contemplated TO bring the guilty
ones before the bar o. the Senate but
only two could be identified. and they
were taken down to the office of the
Sergeant-at-arms who, after reprimaud
ing them and pointing out to them
the bad taste of their conduct, let them
off. The cleared portion of the gallery
renamed vacant during the remainder
of the session.
just now, that same Electoral Bill Is
the uppermost and foremost topic Of
conversation and debate everywhere
BY the time this reaches you. it will
doubtless have passed both the Senate
and the House; for it is the opinion of
those who have the best opportunities
for being well posted, that it will be
passed, and receive the Presidents ap-
proval. Notwithstanding the strenuous
opposition Of the ultra. factions on both
sides. The majority in both houses are
clearly in favor of it, and whether this
measure be wise or not. constitutional
or unconstitutional, it will doubtless
become law.
The news of Senator Logan's with
drawsl from the Senatorial race in
the Illinois legislature, which was re-
ceived here this morning, does not cre-
ate much astonishment at this stage,
when his case was almost hopeless; bnt
that the Senator should exhibit so lit
tie strength at the outset. when he was
known to be supported by the Presid-
ent. and before his departure from
Washington. expressed: himself as quite
certain Ct his reelection, has rather
taken his colleagues in the Senate by
surprise. His term will expire on the