The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-12-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, d. C., Dec. %, 1852.
The week in Congress has been chnr
acterized Ivy somewhat dcsultory dc.
bate in The Senate on the civil service
question, and by adjournment rcsoln'
tions in both houses which leave the
question of holiday adjournment still i'll
doubt. The West Poin, Military bill
has been passed by the House. The
Agricultural bill discussed The Lii
brary bill re-committed. The Senate
has passed the Indian Appropriation
bill, and the Judiciary Committee Of
the House has prepared for report II
very important bill for the relief of the
Supreme Court Of the United States, 10y
the formation of hire Courts of inter
mediate jurisdiction.
On Wednesday went to the Capitol
to hear and see the retired hon, ex Scna-
tor Conkling, roar like distant thunder.
He was to argue II case before the Su-
prene Court. The courtroom was more
dcnscly crowded shan it had been since
the electoral commission held its sitting
there. With great difficulty | forged
my way toa position from which |
could see the ex-senator. He appeared
To he in excellent health aud Voice,
ruddier, and little stoutor than when
he sat in the Senate, the admired OF
women IL the galleries. The Court gave
the distinguished advocate the unusual
courtesy of close attention, but the at
tention Was not unanimous. The
Justices ON the supreme bench arc the
appointces, one Of Buchanan, two oi
Lincoln, one of Grant, two of Hayes
one of Garfield and two of Arthur. Mr.
Justice Matthews, appointed by Gar
field, paid very little attention to MIR.
Conkling. aud thought his air and
manner was that of marked impatience.
The ex-senator is evidently much more
III home in the Senate or OH the hust-
inss than he is ut the bar. Not that
his embarras- mcnt Was conspicuous, but
his argument, if argument il may bt
called, was Of that lurid, declamatory
style, Astounding in eccentric metaphors
which has made his reputation rs al
orator. The bench Was evidently in his
way. and rs he warmed in the recitation
oi his evidently mcmoriZcd and ic'
hcarscd passages, he turned instructive
!y to the crowded room behind him, and
away from the law and logic digestor'
in silk gowns. 1t must have been like
| Il poulticc to Mr.. Conkling's recently
battered vanity to he able To draw spec
tatorS from the Senate and the House
as he had done. The bare mention il
the evening paper, that he WIS to argue
| a case, had been sufficient to attrac
crowds 10 the supreme court room
which is the old Senate chamber tina,
has echoed the eloquence of Webster, ot
Clay, of Randolph and of Calhoun.
1t would seem from present appear
ances that there is but little prospect ot
Mr.. Conklings temperance in the
political arena. bnt he is still com
paratively young man; looks younger
and healthier than Mr.. Blaine. 1t j:
not probable that with his lusty health
his ambition, and his reputation he vii
not be felt in the politics OF the future
\ man who has been prominent as ;
candidate for the Presidency, who la:
declined the chief justicc-ship of the
/ Supreme Court, who has been leader
in the Senate and is not more than lift,
years of age will find it Tksome and
( awkward to remain in retirement.
/ In spite of Mr.. Conkliug's execrable
political associations he is not bad
man.
Although Mr.. ConklinS has visited
/ Washington several times since his re-
tirement from the Senate, he has no
once been back in the Senate Chamber