The Portland daily press., 1881-04-08

What a Washington Correspondent is Ca
pable o.
l"OliYia' in PHILADELPHIA Press.l

t"Oliyia'' in Philadelphia Press.l
WASHINGTON, April lit is day of indie
scribable excitement in the Senate, vividly re-
calling the stormy times of secession, Andy
Johnson's impeachment or the famous Electo-
raj Commission. Standing-room on the floor
or in the galleries can nowhere be found. Ev-
en- the lobbies are crowded with struggling
mass of humanity such as rarely gathers in the
National Temple which glorifies Capitol Hill.
A face new and strange to the Washington
public surveys the throng from the Vice Presi-
dents chair, and taps with uncertain hand the
official gavel. The private secretary Of the
late Vice President stands at his left to prompt
him as to the names of the Senators he is to
recognize, for he has not yet had time to be-
come familiar with their features or their
Names At his right may be seen one of the
trusty clerks of the Senate to make sure that
no official commission or omission shall follow.
1t is apparent to all that only experience is ne
cessary to make Vice President Arthur mod
el presiding officer. Except little perplexity
there is the ease and grace of q man instead Of
the noiseless machinery which constitutes
wellpreserved fossil. What the yellow, juicy,
rosy checked peach, with the fur rubbed off
jolting to market, is to the vegetable worlds
Vice President Arthur sustains the same rela-
tion to the fruit of humanity. There is some
thing about his presence suggestive OF straw
berries and cream, and yet this fact seems to
be completely ignored by the Senate, for tho
turbulence goes on just the same. He sits in
an attitude of grace worthy the painters
brush or the pen of poet. Fully six feet in
"a b,o l. -sbo hnf al md
smoothed into curves which not onl. rival but
excel those of Cupid A cold, naughty face is
often seen, but warm, proud features are rare
ly found; but here we have the exception. A
high forehead towers above the velvety brown
eyes; nose little too short for classic perfec-
ton; but firm, manly mouth, with plenty OF
decision stamped on it, with a width OF jaw
that means business in any work it undertakes.
Never since the days of Breckenridge has so
handsome man welded the Vice Presidents
gavel, and whilst this fact may have no signif-
canoe in political sense, in a social way there
is no estimating the heights to which it may
aspire or the depths where it may be cast down.
1t is great comfort to be able to rest the vi
sion on diamond that has few, if any, flaws,
and these not perceptible except to the finest
judgeso Of the gems.
THE UTICA SENATOR AND THE BALANCE OF
POWER.
In direct line exactly opposite the Vice
President may be seen Senator Conkling, more
winning in personal appearance than of yore.
The gorgeous tints or high colors of early man
hood have been toned down, Softened and spir-
itualized. tranquility is pictured on the bo-
som of the river but we all know the channel
is running at the same rate per minute and no
time will be lost in its motion toward the sea,
Stronger than most men, stronger than women,
it is the inexorable law that the larger absorbs
the smaller quantity. The kids that would not
be eaten must keep out of the way. He glauces
now and then at Malone who sits only three
chairs away, as small child might at 'spuss in
boots" whilst this little man, apparently all
hair and claws, helps to carry out the perfect
illusion. Let US look at this "balance of pow
er," as the other Confederate Brigadiers pO-
litely call him. At the first glance it seems al
together probable that the hair has been
snatched off seven-tenths of the Senate to
crown this one small man. His beard in
length and density might be mistaken for that
of the Wandering Jew. He has obtained the
clothes of a much larger man, and they consti-
tute series of wrinkles from shoulders to
heels. He does not inspire the holder that he
is fraction of humanity, but that he is an un.
canny contrivance, which, if not opened with
the greatest caution, will work irreparable
damage to those nearest concerned. There IS
neither joy nor comfort on the face Of the Re-
publicans as they survey this new addition to
their ranks, while there is calm submission if
not positive elation, on the Democratic side at