Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-12-10
oUH WASHINGTON LETTER.


(Frcm our regular Correspondent
Here we are again, looking down
from the unclouded heights of the.
Reporters Gallery upon the Con-
gress of the United States. Below
the chosen representatives OF fifty
millions of the most progressive
people in the world. The House
has not been called to order, and,
for this reason, perhaps. is in great
disorder. Maine il shaking hands
with Texas; Western heartiness
and southern warmth are actually
patting each other on the back,
from Oregon, to Florida; while
Massachusetts and South Carolina
have half lost their identity in this
common hall of States. We see no
political sections or bi-sections yet;
and the only shades of blue and grey
are blue noses and grey heads. All
are moving, writhing, talking,
laughing and greeting each other
with the abandon of boys returned
to the campus of their Alma Mater
after long separation. And what
an eventful separation it. has been.
A few SIT alone and take but little
part in the genial hubbub. These
are the recently elected Freshmen,
who are on the eve of their first SEES
sion. They will soon feel at home
in the House and in Washington,
however, for, outside the Army, the
Navy, and the holy village of Geoge-
town, there is not much caste in the
Capital of the United States. If a
member of Congress has wealth, or
influence, or a fore-father, he may
be able to penetrate the aboye-nam-
ed 'quite too utterly utter" high
toned circles. But see, the hand on
the dial points to twelve. The
sharp rat-ta-tat of the gavel is
heard. To your seats legislators
Divide yourselves antagonistically,
irrecOncilably, politically North,
South. East, West; tariff, and anti
tariff; Republican and Democrat,
while the pale chaplain intones
blessing on your common country
and the United States, Amen And
now the formality of electing the
elect of the caucus is finished, Spea-
ker Keifer is conducted to the chair
by ex-Speaker Randall and Mr.. His
cock, and for the first time in six
years, the Republicans have COM
plete legislative control of the cuun-
try. Now, gentleman, perform
your promises made on the hustings
and proclaimed in platforms, to say
nothing of your unpublished prom
ises of place and preferment, that
you should never have made, to in
fluential constituents, and, above
all, be virtuous and the country will
be happy.
No committees are yet formed,
and it is too early to foretell the
course of legislation. Besides, it is
so much safer to reflect than to pre-
dict. What momentous changes
have taken place since Congress adj
jOurned at12 NJ. on the 4th of March.
And what momentous changes must
yet take place, will take place, dur
ing the next month in the executive
Offices and throughout the immense
civil service of the United States,
all on account of the loathesome
reptile, whose worse than worthless
life is now being weighed in the
balance of law, under the shadow of
the Capitol.
The Senate met, duly organized,
and with only about two-thirds the
senators in their seats. AT half-past |
one O'Clock, both houses of Congress
were ready for business, and sent |
a joint committee, of two senators
and two members, to advise the
President of the fact.
WASHINGTON, d. G. Dec. ), 'S1.