Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-12-27
IFrom Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. %, 50.


The week in congress has been charac'
terized by somewhat desultory debate
in the Senate on the civil service question.
and by adjournment resolutions in both
houses which leave the question of holt
dav adjournment still in doubt. The West
Point military bill has been passed by the
House. The agricultural bill discussed.
The library bill re committed. The Sem
ate has passed the Indian appropriation
bill, and the Judiciary committee of the
House has prepared for report a very |
important bill for the relief Of the supreme
court of the United States, by the forma-
ton of nine courts of intermediate juris-
diction.
On Wednesday l went to the capitol to
see the retired lion, Ex-senator Conkling.
roar like distant thunder. He was to argue
case before the supreme court. The
court room was more densely crowded
than it had been since the elect oral COM
mission held its sitting there. With great
difficulty forged my way to position
from which could see the the ex-sena-
tor. lie appeared to be in excellent health
and voice, ruddier, and little stouter
than when he sat in the Senate. the ad-
mired of women in the galleries. The
court gave the distinguished advocate the
unusual courtesy of close attention, but
the attention was not unanimous. Inc
justices on the supreme bench are the
appointees, one of Buchanan, two OF Lin
coin, one of Grant, two Of Hayes, one OF
Garfield and two of Arthur. Mr.. Justice
Matthew's appointed by Garfield, paid
very little attention to Mr.. Conkling, and
thought his air and manner was that OF
marked impotence. The ex-senator is
evidently much more at home in the Sen
ate or on the hastings than he is at the bar.
Not that his embarrassment was conspic-
uous but his argument, if argument 1t
may be called, was of that lurid, deciama-
tory style, Astounding in eccentric meta
phors, which has made his reputation as
an orator. The bench was evidently in
his way, and rs he warmed in the recita-
ton of his evidently memorized and
rehearsod passages, he turned Instructive
" to the crowded room behind him, and
away from the law and logic digesters in
silk gowns. 1t must have been like
poultce to Mr.. Conkling's recently batter
}. ed vanity to be able to draw spectators
from the Senate and the House, as he had
done. The bare mention in the evening
paper that he was to argue case, hac
been sufficient to attract crowds TO the
: supreme court room, which is the Ole
Senate chamber that has echoed the
eloquence ofWebster, of Clay, of Randolph
and of Calhoun.
1t would seem from present appearance!
that there is but little prospect of Mr.
Conkings temperance in the politica
arena, but he is still comparativel,
young man; looks younger and healthie
than Mr.. Blaine. 1t is not probable tina
with his lusty health, his ambition, ant
: his reputation he will not be felt in tn
politics of the future. A man who ha
, been prominent as candidate for tn
:, presidency, who has declined the chic
' Justice ship of the supreme court, VIII
has been leader in the Senate and is nc
more than fifty years of age will find
> rksome and awkward to remain in retire
, ment.
In spite Of Mr.. Conkling's execrabl
political associations he is not bad mar
lie loathed the infamy of Hayes presider
CIV. He hated the meanness of Sherma
:, and the hypocrisy of Garfield. He is
- shrewd politician as Blaine, create
orator, and cleaner man. The onl
reason why he has not the popularit
of Blaine is not that he loves ambitio
less, but self respect more.
i Although Mr.. Conkling has vslte
q Washington several times since his retire
n mcnt from the Senate, he has not ono
5, been back in the Senate chamber.