The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-04-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
A "FieId" Day In the HOuse-Ihe
light over the Election eff Door
keeper or tho House-Representa'
tive Kenna-A Congressional Ro-
Correspondence OF the Register.
w .,,,.,,,o,- A,,ril

nance.
Correspondence OF the Register.
WASHINGTON, April 9.
Yesterday was feLd day in the House
of Representatives. Thst man Of sin, the
Ubiquitous Ben Butler, who by some
means got out of the bottle IN which
Grant SO unceremoniously corked him
had marshaled the Republican host
under the banner of General Shields, and
yesterday moIning was prepared to sd-
vance and capture the Democratic side OF
the House. The Democrats in caucus on
Friday night had chosen for their stand
ard bearer Charles w. Field, formerly OF
the Confederate army, and subsequently
OF the army of the Egyptian Khedive.
| The fact that both the candidates for
doorkeeper of the House were prominent
Democrats, and the probability that the
| Democrats of the House would split on
! choice between q Northern snd South
ern Democrat and thereby ensble But
Ter and the Republicans to carry of the
honors OF the day. had reused the people
OF Washington wonderfully, and long
before the reading of the journal the gal
lery was packed to overlooking, many
hundreds being turned away for lack OF
standIng-room.
After prayer, which, by the way, few
Democrats or Republicans either are
ever present to listen to, the reading OF
the journal and few scattering remarks
by the skirmishers, the red0ubtsble Ben
SHE'D his castor into the ring and opened
the fight by putting forward the claims
Of General James Shields, and the extra.
ordinary spectacle OF Republicans sup
porting with might and main an Irish
Catholic Democrat, and the Democrats as
strenuously opposing him, was on e1hl-
bition. The war OF words was hot and
well contested by both sides, and sll sorts
of strategy were resorted to, but the
Democrats stood solidly by the caucus
nominee, and Charles w. Field, Of much
military experience, was elected Door
keeper and duly qualified.
Immediately upon the qualification OF
Mr.. Field, the Democrats began flank
movement upon the Republicans in a
bill placing General Shields upon the
retired list as Brigsdier General. This
was hard pill for the Republicans TO
swallow, but they had committed them
selves and could not go back on
their nominee. The bill passed,
there being only six dissenting
votes, SO that Buffers strategy had one
good effect, that of doing justice to one
gallant soldier who has won the esteem
of his countrymen in two wars. Shields
can thank Butler 'or that much anyway.
Hon. John Z. Kenns, our Representa-
tive from the Third District has been in
vited to deliver the address ut the memor-
isl services of the Hon. John Edwards
Leonard whose melancholy death and
the touching romantic incidents connect
ed Herewith has excited the interest and
sympathy of the country. The invita-
tion is eminently fitting as the two gen.
tlemen we're near one age and closely re-
sembled each other in many points OF
character. Mr.. Kenns is emlnently cal
culated to do justice to the dead states
man and the high and holy motives
which prompted Mr. Leonard to under
take the fatal journey which ended in his
melancholy death.
Love is n divinity within as, nothing In
human experience has the power TO lift US
above the grosser elements of our nature
like unto pure love for pure woman,
the sentiment.is neither confined to time
nor place nor circumstance of lie, but
springs spontaneous III the human breast,
and burns the fiercer the more we try TO
control it or set its limits; what q strange
at omaly it is that this holy ire is rs fire.
auently the elimination of our misery as
1t is our happiness. The romance of Mr..
Leonsrd's love is well known, his passion
was returned by the lady, but her parents
lnterposed their objection, and took her
to their home in Cuba. With Sn aching
heart he sent letter after letter to her,
who was desrer to him than all the
beauty OF the Queen OF the Antilles,
and day after day passed by without any
answer, then the agony OF deferred hope
became insuperaole, and he started TO
hud his love, We know he met her in
the presence of her parents in Havans,
that interview is sealed book forever.
He left her to return to his native land,
but the angel OF death had marked him
emu lat lTOU lOu4b dI4u llltLAs Aa
died. Congress may honor the noble man
who died in the prosecution OF noble
mission, honorable TO HIM and to Us who
mourn him. Lovers may drop tears to
the memory of the brave young dead,
but all humanity pray that the poor,
bruised heart has at last found rest and
peace.
Mr.. Kenns has msntully stood by the
interests of our State in the sppropris-
tions for our rivers, and IN spite OF the
bitter opposition to appropriations in this
Congress, has secured for US fair consider
stion, but these bills must come before
the House. and We will be lucky If they
are not reduced instead of augmented.
Congress has now apparently got down
to work after the Doorkeeper fight, and
the appropriations will be pushed
thr ,ugh.
The next battle will likely be on the
Wood tariff bill, which, think, will 20
10 the wall, and the tariff remain uu-
changed This session. Occasional.
TIER RIVERSIDE WORKS.