The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-02-08
Meeting Of the Counting Tribunal

The Baltimore Suns W ashinstOn spe-
cal. Of Thursday, says:
On ordinary occasions the southwestern
galleries of the House have, for the last iif-
teen years. been surrendered to the occu-
pancy OF the unclean African lazaroni. To-
day those galleries were noticeable for the
entire absence OF their usual occupants, and
the contrast was very pleasing one, for in
their place sat many Of the fair aud bright
creatures who help to make the winter sea-
son OF Washington SO brilliant and charming.
The eye Of the spectator, as it ranged abound
the galleries on the east, north, south and
west sides, fell upon row after row Of hand
some!y dressed men and women, the latter,
as is always the case, preslominating.
The steps Of the galleries We're also used
as far us could be for seats, and dozen doors
spread wide open served to give space Ear
peep to hundreds more. The fayoritc coors
of the ladies were cardinal red and blue, red
ribbons streaming from their haus, blue and
red ties around the neck, and blue colored
fans, which were kept in perpetual motion
to moderate and tone down the sitting and
impure atmosphere of which it seems impos-
sible 70 rid the hall of the House. On occa-
sions snch as that OF to-day it is admitted
that the audience which is gathered together,
comprising the flower Of the official society
OF the capital and Of the centres OF wealth
and culture throughout the country, is one
not to be surpassed.
The ladies in the diplomatic gallery and in
the members gallery we're particularly nc
ticeable for their distingue and brilliant APP
pearance On the front bench OF the men,
bels gallery sat, among Others, Col. Fred.
| Grant, who is quite a soldierly looking young
| fellow. and his wife, who is among the finest
| looking and handsOmest OF the brunetteS
now In society here. In the diplomatic ga
ery were Sir Edward Thornton and mem
bers OF his family, and other members OF the
| diplomatic corps, Mrs Secretary Fish, and
other lea GERS OF society. In the reporters
Cutlery the most interested spectators were
correspondents OF the Ianaes ana otner l.otl-
| don journals.
| A row of large arm-chairs upholstered in
greer, re;, had been placed Immediately in
| front OF the inner row OF members desks and
| opposite to the Speaker They were designed
| for the accommodation of the President and
members Of his Cabinet, which fact was in
| formally communicated to them. The Pre-
sident ld not, however, care to be present.
| Most OF the members OF the Cabinet came in,
| but they distributed themselves arOuad gem
elally. Justices Field and Miller. Of the SUI
preme Court and Of the Electoral Commits
| sior, came in quietly and took two green
chairs. Judge Jere Black reposed his capa-
! cious frame in one, and By his side the skeie-
/ ton form of William NJ. Evarts was barely
| discerned in the recess OF another. just on
| the other side of Mr.. Eyarts Don Cameron
sat and pulled away at his red moustache.
/ The venerable Charles O'Conor was all cb-
! iect OF much curiosity as he sat almost under
the shadow of the Speakers chair. Mr.. E.
! W. Stoughton, OF New York, who has been
retained us one Of the Republican counsel.
occupied q seat about midway down ,hc hall
on the Republican side. An immense face,
| red AS blood Itself, crowned with stock OF
thick white hair. readily identified him. Sew
eral rows i'll his rear Lyman Trunbull peered
| from under his spectacles, while the everlast-
| ing smile, which is a cross between Il smlrk
and sheer, played over his countenance.
Trumbull, the author Of the famous twenty
ty-second joint rule, and Of all the recon-
struclion legislation, and for years a high
| priest in the Radical party, but now one OF
| the Democratic counsel and among the most
ardent advocates OF Tilden. Stanley Mat
| thews and Shellabarger, Of the Republican
counsel, sat near to justices Miller and Field,
and for want of something else to do toyed
| with their stove pipe hats. All Of the couu-
sci Oil both sides were there. George Ban
croft, his head and face covered with a forest
of silver hair, General Sherman, Kellogg, of
Louisiana. Zach Chandler, Postmaster-Gen
eral Tyner and Secretary Robeson, and many
| Others well known in the forum and in the
| field