The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-02-10
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4,

WARRINGTON, Feb. 4, 1881.
The debate upon the electoral count
bilLin the Senate il quite an interest
ingsepisode in the usual monotony OF
proceedings in that august body. Mr..
Conkling took a large share of yester-
days proceedings and the announce
ment that he would speak caused quite
a ripple among the denizens and Wis.,
itors of the Capital, for the galleries
were speedily filled with listeners,
something quite unusual thus far in
the session. Mr.. Conkling undoubt-
edly takes a high rank among our
Senators here as an orator and rarely
talks to empty benches and galleries,
particularly when the public is advis-
ed in advance of his speech. Now, as
in olden times, the greatness of our
prominent men appears on paper rath-
er than before audiences. Even Daniel
Webster had few listeners in the Sen
ate save in rarest exceptions, and
Henry Clay was the only man ever in
the Capitol who was always assured of
an audience when delivering formal
harangue. Nine-tenths of our Sena-
tors might as well deliver their argu-
ments in their quiet rooms at home, SO
few are the listeners. The exception
al Senator, like Mr.. Conkling, or Mr..
voorhees,, of Indiana, possesses that
personal magnetism or fascination
which draws him hearers and fills the
galleries at moments notice. Ques-
tions like this Electoral Count Bill.
which involve general debate, and that
without strictest regard to party lines,
always attract attention and draw lis
teners, which the ordinary formal de.
bate will not.
In the House. the new Apportion-
ment under the recent Census is quite
bone of contention and it is difficult
now to determine what the unit of rep
-resentation will be, owing to the di
versity of opinion among members
Any question drawing party lines
furnishes, Of course, something on
which to form more precise judgment
as to what the action of the House will
be upon it, but this basis of representa-.
ton vsxes more than half the States
because of the dislike to the reduction
in the number of their Congressman
which this or that particular rate may
cause to them. The compromise upon
3O7 members, as a medium between the
present number of 293 and the maxi
mum of 3l5, seems likely to be adopt
ed, yet it will give fractions involving
loss OF member to several States. On
such questions as this the views OF
many Congressman have as little wit
in them as the action Of the ostrich
which, when driven into the meshes
hides only its head, letting the rest Of
the body care for itself. So member
provided he gets his own sop, be n
present representation or an appropri
alton to improve a minnow brook into
an apochyphal river, does not care how
much another State or delegation may
gather in the same direction.
Outside of Congress, most serious
question has been broached, which
promises from this city as a center, tC
agitats the whole country. 1t is shall
wine be used at state dinners in the
White House by the incoming Presi
dent ?" Already one society has open
ed the ball and will undoubtedly keel
it moving. Like the vote of Gen. Ma
hone of Virginia, upon the organiza
ton of the Senate, Mr.. Garfield
views on the wine question is an un
known quantity, and our coed peopl
here and elsewhere will have to wal
the action of the principal character il
the play,