The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-08

The flags fying from the Capitol, fore and
aft, the lobbyists and statesmen leaning
against pillar and post, and the unwonted
activity in every direction and about the
1 Capitol yesterday morning, advertised the
/ fact that the General Assembly was about
10 meet. Inside the building there was the
odor tf cigars, Of fresh paint and varnish,
I the sight OF frescoing OF tawdry design, OF
( carpets OF the color OF bright leaf tobacco,
and groups OF men laughing and talking
/ good-humoredly. Other members were
Z banking ND the stationery supplied them
under the law, and which Is sufficient 10
make q Thomas jefferson OF each and every
one, only provided he has the necessary
brains to direct pen and pencil over the
foolscap furnished.
OBSERVATIONS.
The prevalence Of new suits OF clothes
was noticeable. The Readiusters wearing
such excused themselves on the ground
that they had won them on the late elec-
ton. Several members with new shoes on
were observed out on the grayel-walks
cing up and down trying to get the stu
leather comfortably adjusted to their corns
before the houses were called to order.
The floor Of the lobby has been recently
painted a dark color, and has already be-
come so soiled as to leave in doubt whether
II Is IN improvement at all.
The SENATE AND MP. gIDDLEDERGER.
General jim Walker. honest, bluff, and
healthy-loOking, opened the Senate without
any ceremonies whatever. lie just raped
the gavel OH the table, called the members
to order, and proceeded TO business. The
most interesting question seemed to be in
Mr.. Riddleberger. lie was not in his seat.
He did not answer the first roll-call. Ii
began to be supposed that he would not
appear, and would for the present thereby
admit that there is some truth in the rumor
OF duel said to have taken place between
Mr.. George ID. Wise and himself.
But while speculation was rife Mr.. Rid
dleberger appeared and began voting for
the officers rs the roll was called. No per-
son came forward to challenge his vote.
Likewise nobody challenged Mr. Ly-
brook, who is said to bc ineligible from
other causes.
CLOSE VOTE.
The Senate elected the caucus nominees,
received the Governors message, and then
adjourned. At one time the interest IN the
House proceedings was such that ten Re
adjuster senators were over there. Just
then the vote for President pro tenn. OF the
Senate was taken and resulted: For FL
liOtt Rcadiuster), 16: for Koiner Demo
craft, 14-the cloSeness OF which rather
scared some OF the brethren. Not COM
menting on this case now, it may be pro-
jectcd Us n general remark that new men,
bers-are always to be found in their seats.
It is only the experienced statesman that
neglccts votes, drops in late, cocks his heels
on his desk, and has the question restated
for his benefit.
Mr.. SPEAKER.
Mr.. Fowler bears himself quite mOdcstly
in his office OF Speaker, and will do well
after he thoroughly faniliarizes himself
with the routine. OF course he Is little
"green" as yet. II Is true that he was
member OF the House for several terms,
but that doesn't make a man Speaker
One might he there twenty terms and then
not be necessarily qualified. Mr.. Fowler,
however, will take pride in his place, and
will soon read up.
Mr.. Fowler Is newspaper man; so Il
Governor Cameron; so Mr.. Riddleberger.
who seems bound for the Senate
HOW THEY LOOK.
As for the members generally they make
a more prcsentable appearance than did
those Of l879-'S0. In that Assembly there
were great many who looked as il they
had come to Richmond on a sudden sum-
mOns-as If. indeed, they had been hurried
ont Of bed, dressed in the dark, and dis
patched to the Capitol.
1T CETERA.
IL is understood that the House standing
committees will be announced to-day, and
that the hearing OF the Rockbridge con-
tested-electon case will be Immediately
commenced before the Committee on Pri-
yileges and Elections.
Fun on THE BRIsTOL.-Fun on the Bris-
tol was given at the Theatre last night to a
good audience. This afternoon at .
O'Clock there will be a matinee perform
ance, and the engagement OF the company
will be concluded tonight, when hand
some trumpet will be presented to one Of
the fire companies OF the city. Captain C..
A. Bohannon will make the presentation
speech.
COMMON COUNCIL.-A special meeting Of
the Common Council will be held this