The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1880-12-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsmxoroS. Dec. lS lisa.

ASHiNGfoN, OcC. 10, loCU.
Any description of the opening of
Congress last Monday would now be
old. A large crowd gathered to look
on, filling the galleries and lhrong-
ing the corridors, as usual, but there
was nothing particularly exciting
OF extraordinary interest in therevsnt'
One thing worthy OF notice, perhaps,
was the cordial greetings and unns,
tial good nature manifested amons
the members, msny of whom AneN
that the briet session Dsheh opening
would be their last appearance upon
lhe scene. Propsfhent characters IN
the pauorasn as viewed from the
,,snorteys gallery were men known
far ssd wide. There was the tall and
rect form OF Fernando Wood, that
throws a faint shadow OF dignity
over the scene, and without whose
sleek, white haired presence it would
hardly seem possible to open SEES
sion of Congress. Then in a painful
contrast is the weakened little crippled
figure OF Alexander ii, Stephens,
shriveled up in his wheel chair di-
reclly in front OF the Speaker. The
broad shouldered Blackburn and the
quiet, unostentatious Morrison, occn-
ply contiguous positions and both
have ample evidences Of their popu-
larity among fellow members. The
latter is the ablest man in the Illinois
delegation, and the former onc.o OF the
best speakers in Congress. Holster
Clymer, who treed Bclknap, and
Belthooyer, whom the New York
Tribune tried so hard 10 defeat, are
both prominent in appearance as well
as famous in name. Gcn. Joe Johns
ton and the one armed Hooker, are
two of the conspicuous ex confedcr-
ates In Congress, and both are able
men.
Over on the Republican side.is little
Couger,.the squeaky.voiced, ollicious
member from Michigan, who aspires
to leadership, to the speakership, and
to the sentorship, all far aboye his
calibre. The seat of Gen. Garfield is
not quite empty. Page OF California
rsltles around in il. Then not far
away is the venerable Judge Kelly,
immersed as usual in pile of news
pa1ers, aud the rotund Robenson. the
thrifty old salt of the navy in Grants
time, all able man and q bad one as
well, but fair representative of the
elements that are uppermost in his
party. One character noticed by
everybody is the iastidious Acklen,
the gay lothario OF the House, the
break OF woman's hearts and the des-
troyer Of female virtue. He can
hardly be said to belong to either
side, but he always takes aposition
that overlooks the galleries, and also
enables the galleries to overlook him
1t is said that Il c portion OF Mr.
Hayes message relating TO Polygamy,
was written after consultation will
Acklea and Ben Lelevre, of thu
House, and Ben Hill and Matt Car
penter, of the Senate. Certainly ont
or more of these might give valuable
suggestions bearing on that or simi
lar subjects. Acklen was we'll re
membered by his female admirers il
the floral hue. For that matter trib
utes ofthis sort were as plentiful a
blackbcrries on.Fll hands.
The Senate kept up lis reputation
for dignity on this occasion. Prett.
much all the dignity we have in thi
country is to be found located in tina
\ chamber. To an eye accustomed i
take In, from lofty perch, above
the horoscope of that body, year afte
year it is plainly perceptib!e tina
many Of its members show the I'D
vances of time and the wear G
thought Senator Thurman looks wor
and weary. Burnside is feebl
Blaine 10 as robust as ever, time Il
Kim seeming to have halted, leavin
him, like the Lotus-eaters, In hi
ever-afternoon cline OF perfecle
health and strength. Voorhees,
getting older and slower day BY da.
There are more wrinkles in Ingall
face to-day than year ago, bu, b
, hair curls just as natty as ever. nj
Donald was fifty years old when
was born and has not aged d,
, since. There is no change in Beck I
Bayard. Salisbury throws his hea
\ back and looks as sharply and vigo
T ously at the alternating flies on Il
! ceiling as he did years ago, and Civ
1 assurance Of maintaining his abili
on that direction for many years
come. Morrill's resemblance J.
| Charles Summer becomes more an
more apparent every session. Sen
stor Grover of Oregon, OF whose bi
i health there has been SO much ga
! lately, was present at the openin
looking quite well and hearty, al
exciting the surprise of those wi
had been led TO believe he was
near deaths door. No changes
( the Senate are more conspicuous thu
4 lite changes Of personnel. A fe
r years ago the relics of Carpet bagg
!. ~ chung to this body, after they hi
!. almost wholly disappeared ever
I where else. But now the Spencer
r the Pattersons, and the Dorseys Ia,
r all disappeared, and VIM. Pitt Ks
loggis the last remaining represent
tive of his race.
Comments on tho message have n
been particularly favorable hei
u The stalwart portions Of II are plea
ing 10 the extreme Radicals, but the
t 10 one thing in il so refreshiugly Ia
:. ferrous that it is universally enjoy,
S and appreciated by the members
|. both parties. This IL the secti,
!. where, after complimenting hims'
. aud his administration for efforts
/ behalf OF civil service reform, he re
!, ommends legislation permitting eve
official TO freely express his own p
; liiical sentiments, and to refuse, II
!. so pleases, demands upon his sala
d for political purpose, Such talk.
Q this. after the highwayman style
Il which every government official W
e ordered to stand and deliver at a r
il riodical intervals by the Republic
!. campaign committees from July
. November is, as one Republican Sc
J ator said, enough to make q hor
lau gh.
The attention of Congress he. III
: far been chiefly occupied in disc,
u sion of the electoral count resolutiC
l. known as the Morgan resolution.
l. was passed by the Senate last sessic