New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-02
SCENES AT THE CAPITOL.

important nominations, including that of Sec
Ietary McCrary TO be Circuit Judge
SCENES AT THE CAPITOL.
HOW THE MEMBERS LoOKED-BOUQUETs, GREET
INGs, AND INCIDENTS.
iBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-The proceedings of the
House OF Representatives to-day entirely of q
routine character.
At IL o'clock fair sprnkling of members and
many visitors IN the hall. Half an hour later
two hundred Representatives were exchanging
hearty greetings. For the time being political ami
mosities forgotten, only occasionally were
recalled by goodhumored chat, as some incident
of the Fall campaign recalled by those
who had appeared on opposing sides during
the canvass. Cordially rcigned Most of the
leaders ON both sides put in early appearance,
and several of them at once became the centres of
animated groups. The faces of the Republicans
generally wore expression of serene content, and
their greetings were more demonstrative than those
witnessed on the Democratic side of the chamber,
for Notwithstanding this brief era of good fellow
ship the visible line which divides the two parties
an the House pretty generally respected by a
majority of the Republicans and Democrats.
The Greenbackers scattered both sides of
the House; and those who were present this morn
ing did not look especially hilarious Mr.. De La
Matyr is always solemn, and to-day his soemnty
be due to any feeling of depression caused by the
result of the late elections, for he soberly and
nestly assured a Republican Representative day |
or two ago that his party made heavy gains every |
where. Another Republican Representative re-
marked to-day that Mr. Weaver takes the same |
cheerful view of the elections although Mr.. Wea |
ver's own district gave strong Republican majority
in October.
In the hour before noon many of the Representa-
ha. hoar
made in the hall during the recess to secure better
ventilation. They generally expressed approval of
the changes that have been made. The improve
ments consist manly of an extension Of the men,
bers lobby to the south front of the building thus
securing liberal inflow of sunlight and pure air,
and making the large retiringroom as different
as possible from the dark, stutfy holes known
"a clOak-rOoms the north side of the
chamber; of two very large ventilators in
the floor of the hail in the rear of the seats of
two cheerful open frcplaces in the north wall, and
ofimproved appliances for the admission Of fresh
air under each desk Several blind doors III the
south gallery have been removed and replaced by
light swinging doors, and the reporters room has
been enlarged. Judging by sensation alone, the
ventilation of the hall Is really much better than
il was before.
ROLL-cALL IN THE HOUSE.
When the roll called, few minutes after II
o'clock, 232 members responded.
Immediately afterward six new members were
sworn H. three Republicans and one Democrat being
from California. One of the Republicans is Mr..
Paeheco who it may .be remembered, received
certificate of election to the XIVth Congress from
the Democratic Go, ernor of California but who
voted out, his Democratic competitor. who was not
elected being voted IN by the last House.
OF the other two new members, elected
70 succeed the Hon. Rush Clark. of Iowa, who died
last Spring. The other was Mr.. Waldo Hutchins. OF
the XIIth New-York District, chosen to succeed Mr..
Alexander Smith, who died the night of his elec-
ton. year ago. Mr.. Hutchins was received and
sworn in as a member by unanimous consent,
although the House has official or legal evidence
of bis election. Mr. Fernando Wood presented in
behalf of Mr. Hutchns certificate of the County
Board of Canvassers. and explained that as the
State Board of Canvassers does not meet till the
10Th inst it will be impossible for Mr.. Huchins TO
obtain the Governors certificate OF his election
until after that date.
Mr. Stephens, of Georgia, entered the chamber
soon after IL o'clock. and his appearance OF I'M
proved health was the subject of general comment
Mr. Stephens told TRIBUNE reporter the other
evening that he weighs much now as he ever did
in his hfe ninety-three pounds. lie was careful TO
explain this as being his net weight"
READING OF THE MESSAGE.
Although the advance publication of the Presi
dents Message had robbed il of the interest which
received with pretty general attention. This was
especially the case with respect to those parts OF the
message which relate to financial questions and to
the subject of elections.
When the passage was read in which the Presi-
dent refers to the failure of Congress to appropriate
nancy at the last session for the enforcement OF the
election laws as beng of little pract cal Importance
in view of the fact that there was TO be no general
election of members of Congress. but wherein he
recommends full appropriation for that purpose for
the next fiscal wear number of Democratic Repre-
sentatiyes were observed to exchange significant
plances. while several shrugged their shoulders and
showed other signs of Impotence and discomfort
The large crowd which filled the galleries before
the House was called TO order thnned out rapidly
.iurinp the hours recess which preceded the re-
CENT of the Message and during the {eading OF the
document the galleries were not more than nail hIied
GOOD FsELlNG IN THE SENATE.
Amore uneyentful opening day of a session of the
limited States Senate has rarely occurred.
Half an hour before noon the usual crowd of curl
sus on-lookers composed in great part of lady resi-
dents of w ashington and numbering very few not
able persons, partially filed the galleries. From that
time until noon Senators arriving one by one,
while a great many lobbyists, Senate employees,
aspirants ior positions and journalists crowded upon
the floor OF the chamber.
Anumber of rich bouquets and baskets of flowers,
tributes from lady friends, placed upon the
desks of Senators whose names the tributes bore
aud huge floral psgoda, nearly four feet in height,
gave out its fragrance from the table of the Vice
President. These lent color to the picture, while
the forming and reforming INTO groups. the hand
shakings and greetings between occupants OF the
floor, made the scene one of animation.
At five minutes before 10. the sergeants-at-arms