The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-12-12
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Dec. 6, 1878.
The reassembing of Congress is rather a
tame, hum drum affair in contrast with the
spirited and exciting scenes which at intervals
follow it. The House. particularly. exhibits
this popularity. for in the Senate the Dombey-
ian proprieties which govern that august body
of Solons serve to repress any excessive ebull-
tion of temper or excitement during the session.
But the House would not seem to be iu its nor
NAL condition were there not, at least once a
week. . hurly- -burly of noise and confusion
among its bedlamites. On Monday last Mr..
Randall took the chair at - n. precisely, and
rapping order with his gavel, proclaimed the
House convened in regular session under the
Constitution, and ready for prayer. which was
had by the Chaplain in rather fervent and elo-
quent terms. Prayer in the House of Repre-
sentatives is one OF the solecisms of religion,
and is as puZzling problem to us as that o band
of italian brigands or pirates must necessarily
have priest accompanytthem in ali their cut
throat expeditions. But as prayer always be-
gins the days proceedings, we take it for grant,
ed that it is all right and accept the fact, as we
do many of the spread-eagle speeches of the
members, as being intended for an appeal to
the country. rather than for the benefit of the
members individually. We regard the average
Congressman as beyond the reach of prayer, and
Presidents Message clearly evinced that those
who participated in the debate had nearly for
gotten all the teachings of gentility and pro-
priety involved in prayer, Very many of the
members left the Hall on Monday after the pre-
liminary proceedings. aud the announcement
of the Message by the Presidents Secretary.
No one cared to remain to hear the Message
read since each had been already provided
with printed copy of it which could be taken
home and perused Mr.. Wosd sprang debate
in which several participated and but for that
an adjournment would at once have followed
the conclusion of the reading. such is the usu-
al practice and it Is rarely indeed that any point
M ade by the President in his annual message is
submitted to bitter criticiim by his opponents
on the day it is submitted to Congress We
dropped into the Senate after the House got to
work, merely 10 glance ut the Senators. Its
movements being stcrotyped, one knows with
out seeing precisely what will occur when he
has learned the ritual or rules of order govern
ing it. Nearly all the Senators were present
aAd several offered financial bills. there
seemed every prospect that between this and
March 4th, we will nave an avalanche of words
if not of money OF legislation. Congress is,
therefore. in the harness, but whether it will
work or not the future only can determine.
From this to February Is, nothing but talk will
be given the country. and we may then look for
the usual programme of forcing into the last two
weeks OF the session what should have been
done in the outstart.
On Saturday night last we attended one of the
peasantest receptions ever he Id here. A num-
Der of citizens, headed by Governor Shepherd,
rendered a supper to Hon. Casey Young, NJ. C.,
and j. NJ. Keating, editor of the Appeal. both of
Memphis. Tenn, in recognition Of the services
rendered by them during the recent Yellow
Fever epidemic in that unfortunate city, The
reception was given at the willard Hotel aud
was attended by about $50 Of our prominent cit
liens. with quite sprikling of the Pres
Gang" Gov. Shepherd made short welcom-
ing speech, to which Mr.. Young replied ip most
eloquent terms. He said he accepted the ova-
ton not in a personal sense. but for his stricken
and afflicted people who had been SO fearfully
las he was but one of hundreds who had
with the sick and the dying ip endeav-
or to do what duty demanded to the helpless and