Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1880-12-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
opsnins Scenes In the House and
sessts-A Birdseys View OF Con.
Ersss Floor Scenery.
Correspondence of the Gold Hill Daily News!

WASHINGTON, December IL, 1880.
On the first day OF the Congressional
session the Hobbies are crowded and the
galleries are packed. Those who have
resided long in Washington, aud the
transient visitor. are alike DESTROYS to
see, on this historic arena. those person.
ages. petit and grand. who have been be-
praised and bsspsttsrsd SO much. and
upon whom hangs. in great part, the
political destiny Of tho powerful. pre-
ooeious, phenominal civilization Of the
Western World. The wives and daugh-
tsrs Of Senators and Members throng
that part OF the gallery set apart for
them. Members Of the diplomatic
corps, with faultless hair and gloves.
look down from the diplomatic gallery.
The reporters gallery is filled with an
array Of faces and forms no less familiar
In Washington than those OF the distin.
Ruished gentlemen on the floor. Aud
the gallery. for general admission. Is
unlike q sireAt-car in that 1t IL too full to
admit one more. AL these have Como
TO see the opening OF the Congressional
session.
In the House the desks Of some OF the
members are covered with bouquets or
baskets OF flowers. These have been
sent. perhaps. by their fair clients IN
the government offices. or. may be. by q
fair decoy in the employ Of the lobby.
At any rate you may be assured that
neither these flowers nor their donors
belong to the class that blush unseen
and waste their fragrance.
The meeting and greeting OF members
on the floor resembles nothing 80 much
az the return OF students. after o sum.
mer vacation. to the familiar campus or
classroom. They shake hands. laugh.
slap each other On the back and give the
impression Of old boys renewing the an
tics aud enthusiasms OF their youth, to
tho great entertainment OF America. En-.
rope. Africa aud China in the gallery.
They are more oblivious. however. to
the four quarters Of the globe than to
the fact that they are scrutinized from
the desk. filled space, over the Speakers
stand. where those whom Mr.. Cameron
called "lilerary iellers." and whom Mr..
Butler referred TO as the 'ferty jackass
power Of the press" observe to tell their
ineoings. %outcomings and shortcomings.
In the House. a few members monop-
olizs the attention OF the curious. There
are more men IN this body who recall
"reminiscences Of the most tragic period
OF our national life, than In the Senate.
The Vice President OF the Lost Cause
10 here. a Cabinet Minister OF J,f Davis.
and a General Of the highest rank in tn.
rebel army are members OF the presen,
Congress. Who Can look at these men
and forget the yesterday when Stevens.
Reagan and Johnston could have been
in Washington only as %conquerors or
p%risonersf There is another gentleman
who attracts much attention. He has
cylindrical legs. q globular body, and
his face IS like a rose in the snow OF bis
hair. He was General Grants Secretary
Of the Navy, and it is said he will soou
be o Senator. Cox. Conger. Wood,
Tucker. Knott. Frys-but l will close
before / havs been accus-d OF copying
the roll OF the American House OF Com.
mons. A..