Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-12-10

Washington, d. c. Dec. 9th, 1881
I Here we are again. looking down from
the uaclouded heights Of the Reporters
Gallery upon the Congress of the United
Satcs. Below are the chosen representa-
, tivcs Of City millions Of The most progress
. s;re people ia the world. The House has
not been called 10 order and, for this rea-
SON. perhaps. IS in great disorder. Maine
is shaking hands with Texas; Western
+ heartiness and southern warmth are actual
+ ly patting each other on the back, from Or
/ ECON Co Florida; while Massachusetts, and
south Carolina have half lost their identity
I IN thss common Hall Of States. We see 10
political sections orbi-sections yet; and the
only shades of blue and grey are blue noses
and grey heads. All are moving, writing,
talking. laughing, and greeting each other
with the abandon of boys returned to the
campus Of their Alma Mater after long
separation Aad what an eventful sepsra-
ton IL has been. A few sit alone and take
but li,t,e par. in the genial hubbub. These
are the recently elected Freshmen, who SIRE
OH the eve of their first session. They viii
soon fe.l 40 homein the House and in Wash
in-.o1 however, for outside the Army, the
Navy. and the holy village Of Georgetown,
there Is not much caste in the Capital OF
the United States If % member of Con-
grcss hs wealth, OK influence, or a fore
father hcmay even Doe able topenetrate the
aloyc-ramcd q1i,e toout,erly utter high
toned circles. Bu, see, the hand on the dial
points 90 twelve. The sharp rat-;a-tat of
the glc,l IS E,agd TO your seats legisla-
tors, Divide yours-lvcs antagonistically,
igr,couciab,y, politically; North, South,
East, West; tariff ana anti-;ariif; Repaid
lean and Democrat. while the pale chap
lain iat0nes e blessing ON your common
country and the United States, amen And,
nlv ta. forma,i,y Of clectiug the cleo; of
the caucus is finished, Speaker Kci;er is
conlucudJo the chair by Ex-Spea5er Ran
DALI auj sir. HecocS, and for the first time
Ia six years the Republicans have COM
p.e;c legislative control OF the country.
Vow, gentlemen, perform your promises
made 'n the hastings, and proclaimed in
platforms. 20 say nothing OF your unpub-
Hshei promises Of place and pr-ccrment
that You should never have made, 70 infu-
entail constituents, aG1, above an, be viz
moas and the country win be happy.
SO committees are Yet formed and it Is
700 early To- foretcll the course Of legisla-
t,oa. Resides. &c IS So much safer to reject
chan To- predict What m3mentous changes
hare taken place since Congress adjourned
a.l2 VI. oa the4A OF March And what
momon.ous changes must yet take place,
viii take place. during the next month in
heexecu,ive offices and Throughout. the inn
meusc civil service Of The United States, all
on account OF tAe loathsome reptile, whose
worse than worthless life Is now being
weighed jn the balance Of law, under the
shadow Of ,be Capitol.
Tae Senate met, duly organized, and
with only about tvo-thirls the senators in
,heir ATS At half-past one O'Clock, both
house. % Congress were ready for business,
and sca, a join. committee, of two senators
and tvo members, to advise the President
oil the face.