The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-14

ofsBabel"--How justice is admins
tered in the Dis5rict--The Old Iron
Clock, etc. etc.
simultaneously with the opening OF
congress commences the busy season 10
Washington, anxiously looked forward to
by the business population OF the capital
and with rose.colored anticipatious by the
brilliant social circles; but, upon the
hopes, aspirations, plans and intentions of
the political branch of all this activity.
I will not venture any disclosures, on the
principle of self defence rendered neces-
sary by the new law, viz: liability to
prosecution for SANDER Of that honorable
body.
There seems to be as much curiosity
manifested by the busy, moving mass OF
people who throng the spacious halls and
corridors of the capital on the opening
day, as if the reassembling Of congress
was new thing. Before eleven o'clock
the Senate and House were crowded to
their utmost capacity. Ladies eagerly
sought seats within the gentlemen's gall
lery and numbers were unable to get a
glimpse within the legislative chambers.
To me the sight was novel one, never
having witnessed it before, and l esteemed
myself fortunate in obtaining two feet of
understanding within the charmed circle.
a long time before the houses were called
TO order the floors of the Senate and
House were jammed with people, each
one appearing anxious TO Guido the other
in haudshaking. Senators greeted each
other with the warmth of long separated
friends; democrats elbowed their way
through the crowd to speak with republi-
cans and the latter were equally demon
strative to the former. There was moth
ing 10 the opening ceremonies of the Sen
ate to denote the first day Of the session
aud after prayer business proceeded in
the staid and digni6ed manner character
istic of that body Boquets were numer-
Gus, and among the finest we're those on
the desk of Senator Bruce (colored.) In
the house congratulations were exchanged
among the fortunately reelected and condo
lences were offered to their less fortunate
brethren On the speakers desk was a
basket Of flowers of huge proportions and
gorgeous colors; elegant boquets we're
scattered here aud there on the member s
desks, either sent there by their thought
full lady friends or provided by themselves
from the botanical gardens. Nothing
very sensational occurred until Fernando
Wood. member from New York, made
his criticism on the Presidents Message,
and, as it was not expected that the pOlit-
ical fight, predicted to take place in con.
gress this winter, would be begun on the
first day of the session, Mr., Woods first
gun created surprise aud aroused the at
tention of everybody within bearing
While Messrs. Loring & Clafin of Massa-
chusetts are absent from their seats il
the House, by reason Of sickness aud death
in their families, GNu. B. Butler has
kindly consented to represent their dis
tricts in addition to his own.
The Hon. Alexander Fl. Stevens, mem
Der from Georgia is convalescing from thu
effects of his accident, which might havt
proved very serious one, but for th
prompt attention of his faithful attendant
Alexander Kent. To a stranger attend
ing the House, this old fashioned gentle
man will be one of the first members to b.
recognized; the popularity of his position
wheeling himself about by bis chair, tacil
itatiug his recOgnitiOns. MIR. Stevens
partially paralized, but his wonderful
brain remains uncouded and his brigh
iotslect shines forth with all its distiu
guisbed radiance. Any important ques
ton of debate finds him one of the mos
actively interested, and when his voice i
raised, respectful silence reigus, not alon
as a tribute of respect for MS afhjctioI
but also tor his great abilities.
Two or three buDgling attempts to sup
ply US with snow on yesterday and full
developed jack frost this morning warn
US that we are not to be left out lin tn
warm" any longer. A pitiful story come
to US of hard times. On the 9Th party con
eisting of three young men and girl eigh
teen years old, two or three weeks oil
bride OF one OF the young men aged tWeu
ty-twO applied tor lodging at the lot
street station house, stating that the
hai Just arrived from Baltimore on thCi
quite without money. They stated tina
they were from York City, Ma inc, and ina,
been two weeks on their way toward
their destination, where they had bee
promised work, in a saw mill. Their mon
by gave pGt III lN6W OtI56y anu luey nat
been compelled to foot it the rest of tn
way, aud had been obliged to sell part 0
their clothing to pay for lodgings, as j
was too damp and chilly to sleep in th,
open air They had had no food fol
about thirty-six hours, and when the off
GERS placed before them, cold COLLATION.
contributed by restaurant keeper, the,
devoured it like pack of hungry wolves
The young couple had been married but
short time before they started on thei
rather hazardous journey in search OF EN-
ployment; they had walked thirty miles
day, and the bride appeared to stand it a
well and better than some of the party
The next morning they were all sent on b,
train to their destination, excepting one o
the men who was too feeble to be removed
at that time,
There is an institution in Washingto,
that is worthy of initiating in other cities, TO
take it in these hard times there ar
very many poor people in every city wht
cannot get work and are without food.
refer to what is known here as THE city
lunch, Washington is u city which nat
urally has more than its share of poor PEG.
pie, for they come here from all parts o.
the country in vain search foI
government positions. 1t is in ad
dlti"n, the centre of tine INDECENT negro
population OF many adjacent states. This
charitable institution known as The pen
ny lunch, was started about six years
ago by lady named Mrs. Roberts. she
having conceived the idea OF supplying
hungry people with lunch for a penny.
FROM very small beginning she has made
the lunch great success, and increased its
advantages until now it is permanent in.
stltnfinn and one of the most sensible