Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-30
Our Washington Letter.
wAsHIN0roN. D. G., March %. 1881.

Washington more than any other, for the pes
few weeks, has to-day been finally settled, and |
is officially announced that there Is to be
| NO EXTRA SESSION
OF congress Up to this morning the matter wa,
still in doubt, and many well-informed partie
have insisted all along that special session woul,
he held. The question was finally settled upor
financial reasons alone The president came L
| the conclusion that funding BILL such as III,
government needs, could not be passed ut an OK
ira session, and, after conference with Secretary
| Window, 1t was believed that there was no imme
diate necessity for funding measure at this time
The financial policy of Secretary Window seems
| to meet the approval OF the president and will
now be carried out. The political phase of the
extra session question has not been considered BY
the president in coming to this conclusion. The
party was greatly divided over the expediency Of
the call, but for the reasons given no one will
doubt that the determination OF the president
will prove to have been a wise one.
The democrats who hold the fort in the house
end OF the capitol are relieved of the suspense
which they have been In for some time past, and
can now rest easy until the first OF December
next. Members and hangers.on VINO have been
tarrylng here will now pack up and leave the city
and with the exception Of the session Of the sen.
ate, Washington will settle down into Its accus-
toned summer quiet. The senate has attracted a
good deal Of attention this week, and Is likely to
be an object Of special interest for some days
TO come.
THE NEW SENATOR'S
come in for their full share OF homage and atten-
ton, and are fortunate in making their debut at a
time Of such general interest and when they per-
sonally have nothing else to do but look on
and learn.
The new senate, in its appearance and personnel,
Is hardly up to the standard OF its predecesf
We miss the presence Of many who were ID
leading attractions of this dignified bod
distinguished figure Of the lamented CARPENTER.
the handsome face and porty form Of Secretary
Window, the restless Blaine, the excitable Thur
man with his inevitable bandanna and the vener-
able form Of Hamlin with his faded swallo w-tail
coat. The republican side OF the chamber is so
changed as to be almost unacceptable. Conk-
ling retains his old seat, as does also Morrill, Of
Vermont and Anthony of Rhode Island Ed
munds' seat is vacant, for its occupant is in
Florida, and Secretary Kirkwood's old seat, at
the left Of Edmunds', is taken by General Logan
John Sherman sits behind Edmunds in Blaine
old seat The back row is full of new faces.
Commencing at the last seat, on the vice-presi-
dents left, is Edgerton, the new senator from
Minnesota; Mitchell of Pennsylvania, tall fine
looking man, with pleasant smile and affable
manners; Malone of Virginia. Van wyck of Ne
braska, Sawyer Of Wisconsin. Hale and Conger
sit next, side by side Frye has reserved seat
In the space set apart when the republican side il
overcrowded. General Joe Hawley sits in the
front row next to Don Cameron. His colleague,
Plat, Is the tallest man in the senate.
Malone has been the cynosure OF all eyes dur
ing the week. and his every movement has been
watched with eager curiosity. We took long
look at him through glass, from the opposite
side of the chamber, the other day. He was
buried in etter-reading, and seemed utterly I'M
mindful Of his situation and unconscious OF all its
surroundings His face is almost entirely hidden
in his beard, which is long and struggling, iron
gray in color, and corresponds with bushy head
Of unkempt hair. As he arose to be introduced
to a caller we saw that he was dressed In a suit
Of shiny broadcloth, which wrinkled about his
somewhat /" liliputan " form as II he had got a
bad fit. The only redeeming feature in his coun-
tenance are his eyes, which are small. sharp, and
remarkably bright. Although he wears spectaces
the glitter Of his eyes could easily be discerned
As we looked at him occupied in opening huge
bundle of mail, page brought in another pack
age OF letters, and the little "great man was
completely surrounded by his correspondence 1t
is expected he will make "the greatest effort of
his life" on Monday next in his reply to Senator
Johnston's arraignment Of the readjusters made
in the senate on Thursday. Meanwhile the con-
test over the election OF the officers of the senate
will be narrowed down to question of endurance,
and it remains to be seen which side will hold out
the longest.
1t is noticeable that among the new senators
this thA-o many, who sricuons for
their great wealth. In fact it beginsto look as il
the day would come when the leading question
presented to the country by the United States
senate will be
WEALTH VS.. sTArEsMANsHp.
There are at least dozen senators who may
easily be called mionaires The richest man in
the senate, of course, is Fair of Nevada, who is
worth great many millions. Probably he is
worth as much as all the other senators put
together He is still in the prime OF life is not
much OF politician although he acts with the
democrats, and has rich Irish brogue. Next to
him in estate is David Davis, the independent
senator from Illinois, who has gathered Millions
and three hundred and seventy-fve pounds avoir-
dupois. Sawyer of Wisconsin, who was a poor
Vermont boy, is worth seven Millions and Eugene
Hale is supposed TO be the sole possessor OF Zach
Chambers millions. The other senators who are
worth over million apiece are Miller OF Califor-
mia, Malone of Virginia, Sherman of Ohio, Came
ron OF Pennsylvania, Davis Of West Virginia, and
Plumb OF Kansas. Sewell of New Jersey is
railroad man. and is reputed very wealthy Hill OF
Colorado, Brown of Georgia, Groome of Maryland
are known to be worth more than half million
Many of the other senators are wealthy men
Among those not already mentioned who are re-
puted to be worth at least a cool hundred thou
sand are Morrill, of Vermont, Anthony of Rhode
Island, Conkling of New York, Rollins Of New
Hampshire Jones Of Nevada, Sanders OF Ne
braska, Ferry OF Michigan, Kellogg of louisiana
Van wyck of Nebraska, Allison of Iowa, Harri-
son OF Indiana, and Bayard OF Delaware These
names make up nearly half OF the senate, and
they show that riches and senatorships very
often go together.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The late Senator Carpenter left an estate est.
mated at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
He left no will, and Hon jeremiah Black has been