New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-03
SCENES IN SENATE AND HOUSE.

ING FACES AND SOME LONG ONES-FERNANpo
WOOD ATTACKS TUE MESSAGE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.i
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-The assembling Of Con-
Vress at noon to-day was one of the most common
Mace events that has taken place IN years.
The day was bright and uncomfortaby warm,
enervating In fact and 1t seemed to have depress-
ing influence upon everybody; especially upon
those who have come here within day or two from
the sharp, crisp atmosphere OF the Nofth
There were of course the customary greet
ines after five months of separation, and
the general inquiries about the health OF Old
friends and of the pleasures of the Summer vaca-
ion; but even these seemed to lack vim and spirit
Senators and Representatives were tardy i'll going
70 the Capitol. At halfpast only one or two mem
oers of the Upper House in their seats, and
:hey were engaged in writing letters. The clerks,
ioorkeepers, pages and other employees of the body
we're all in their places, looking fresh and ready
for business, but they stood about as though
they were waiting for something to turn up. or like
,hop clerks waiting for customers. III the other
wing of the Capitol the members arrived earlier
and sought out their old seats into which they set
tied as naturally though they had left them only
yesterday.
The lucky men" who were returned at tho late
election, were congratulated upon their success,
and related to each other the obstacles they had to
overcome, and described the extent of their tri-
amphs The dead men," who were beaten either
In conventions or at the polls, could generally be
picked out by the look of disappointment that
seemed to settle upon their faces they lOOkedov
The House, and remembered that their days were
numbered. There were some notable exceptions.
Eugene Hale, of Maine, seemed as happy as though
he had been reelected by an increased majority.
lie is man who has a future in spite OF his tempo
,ary defeat. His services to tic country, and to
30 ol.nh ln 20 ha Loot.
and some other place of influence and action will be
ure to find him out when he retires from his pres
snt high position in the House of Representatives.
Charles Foster, too, was not apparently in
the least cast down by his defeat. He made gal
liant but hopeless light, and viii be remembered
aud rewarded by the people of his State. Politics
seemed almost to be forgotten, however, at both
ends of the Capitol during the short half hour be-
fore the houses were called to order. Everybody
gave himself up to social greetings.
QUIET OPENING IN THE SENATE.
The State of New-York unrepresented IN the
Senate to-day, neither of her Senators having ar
rived in Washington. The other absentees from the
Senate were Senators Wbyte, of Maryland; Jones
and Sharon, of Nevada; Spencer, of Alabama;
Sargent, of California, and Barnum. of Connecti-
cut The public galleries in the Senate were Just COM
fortably filed witha well but not showily-dressed
audience while of the private galleries, that set
apart for the families of Senators only half
filled and the diplomatic gallery was nearly empty.
So far as appearances went there was nothing to
indicate that this was the first meeting of an an
nual session of the Senate of the United States
At IL the little ivory knob which serves the Vice
President for a gavel fell with a sutdued click.
Senators who had until then been exchanging hand
shakings and greetings with their associates at once
sought their desks, where they stood with bowed
heads during the brief time occupied by the Chap
lain in bis opening prayer. Subsequent events dur
ing the session of the Senate were commonplace
and devoid of interest. Senator Anthony, of Rhode
Island, first took the floor to offer the customary
motion providing for q committee to wait upon the
President. Several resolutions followed in quick
succession regarding the yellow fever scOurge
in the Southwest, and providing for commits
siOns to investigate its origin and devise ways
to prevent its recurrence The important resou-
ton offered by Senator Blaine outline of which
was printed in this mornings TRIBUNE, failed to
create the least excitement, something of the
kind very evidently having been expected. When
it had been read Senator Anthony asked that it be
laid over under the rules, to which Mr. Blaine
added the request that it be printed.
At 1:5O D. IN. the Senate took recess for three
quarters of an hour, and on reassembling, private
secretary Rogers appeared bearing the Presidents
Message, It's reading by secretary Gorham occu-
pied half an hour. The most marked attention was
given to it throughout by nearly every Senator in
the chamber. When its reading WAS finished the
Senate adjourned for the day.
INCIDENTS IN THE HOUSE.
The galleries of the House were comfortably
flied when the Speakers gavel fell. announcing
that the hour for the assembling of the third session
Of the present Congress had arrived. The gallery
set apart for the families and friends of Representa-
tives was more than full. but the diplomatic gal
lery had few occupants. The long rows of seats to
which the common herd is admitted were not
crowded.
To the floor none except members and officers of
the House had been admitted and there were many
notable vacancies on both sides of the chamber.
Every one looked first for General Butler, but he
was nowhere to be seen, and did not appear during
the session to-day. General Garfield was absent
during the opening prayer but appeared soon after
Fernando Wood as prime and straight as q yard
stick was present aud was the central figure of the
Democratic side, as he has been for many years.
Alexander ii. Stephens came in in his rolling chair.
apparently in better health than at any time since
his last return to Congress. 1t was common re-
mark in the galleries that he looked younger and
more robust liz such an adjective can be applied to
his physical condition at any tme) than he has done
since 1861. Mr.. Hewitt, nervous and active
usual, was in his place; and Heudrick B. Wright
the man who gories in being known as dema-
gogue' was also there TO be congratulated by the
lew Greenbackers who will bear him company in
the next Congress
There was an unusual floral display at the House
to-day 1.-THE bouquet Speaker Randall's desk was
three stories high Recipients of these evidences of
regard from lady admirers were generally found.
however, among Representatives who do not act
prominent part In the proceedings of the House
Standing on the outskirts of the Honse and an