Montgomery County sentinel., 1882-02-10

StrucJeu zen. MCCauSlanut 10 nave lnc gOOuS
returned, and failing TO do SO he was or
dered TO pay them with United States funds
which they had with them. He said further
in speaking of Rockville, that the place con-
tanned for him a sad memory-in the little
skirmish in and around the village, very
dear friend and gallant officer received his
death wound, who died just after the army
crossed the Potomac
Senator James G.. Cannon, whom many
of your readers will remember as Principal
of the Academy, and who has many friends
in Montgomery, gave your correspondent
warm reception and pointed out much that
was both new and of interest. Senator
Cannon is Il prominent man in the Read JUS
ter party Of the State and thinks that he
will be able 10 make the trip in his District
to Congress in the next race.
The diSrocted DuLpeteer ex-Rev. Massey,
who is now Auditor of the State, but who
has been defeated in caucus for a re-nomna-
tion, has managed to render himself some
what conspicuous because of his opposition
to the manifesto of the caucus. Mr.. Masseys
triumph will be but temporary, for doubtless
before this letter is in type the wire will
! have flashed over the political country that
Malone is again triumphant in his State.
Your correspondent spent the best part OF
| three days in attendance upon the delibera-
tions of the Senate and House Of Delegates.
| Everything in and around the State House
is decidedly Republican in style. The room
of the House of Delegates is about the size
of your Town Hall in length and breadth.
The members occupy just such benches as
you have in your public schools, and are en-
| closed by wire fence of about three feet
and a-half high. The visitors stand around
this fence in Il little passage way between
the fence and wall. The Speaker occupies
a straight back old fashioned chair upon a
platform, raised about two feet above the
level of the floor occupied by the members.
The members of the House are one hun
dred--of this number some eighteen are
negroes, who sit together in one corner.
They have not much to say, but seem to
pay attention to what is going on.
The Senate has more of the appearance
of deliberative body, and the room is not
unlike the Senate Chamber at Annapolis in
size and shape, but the furniture and sur
roundings like that Of the House, are de-
cidedly plain. The Senators have a plain
pine desk, with heavy semicircle bar
room chair, and are also excluded from visi-
tors by wire fence. There are four negro
Senators, who like their race in the House.
occupy little corner, and appear extremely
happy in their capacity as Senators of the
| ICllOWutl anu commandments VI
! Virginia.
The Executive Chamber and balance of
i the States officers rooms are on the second
| floor of the State House, and are furnished
in baronial style, which is pleasing to the
eye in these days of modern ginger bread
appearance.
The State library is perhaps the most in
viting place about the State House-there
are over thirty thousand volumes of the best
English and American literature well ar
! ranged and kept. This room is adorned
with handsome paintings of Virginia's dis
! tnguished jurists, statesmen, party leaders,
governors and generals. In one end of the
! room are festooned some of the battle flags
/ of the "boys in gray"
The State House is built on an elevated
situation overlooking the city and the classic
"jeems." 1t is Of Grecian style, after the
Athenium at Athens. 1t was designed by
Mr.. jefferson. The grounds surrounding
the State House are beautifully laid off and
adorned with ornamental shade trees. These
grounds are kept in nice order all the year,
II large number of the State convicts being
daily detailed for that purpose.
The GubernatOrial Mansion, very much
after the architecture of the old Governors
House at Annapolis, is situated a short dis
tance from the State House and just ON one
side of the enclosure. 1t is now undergoing
repairs and will be furnished in the modern
style There are many other matters which
would be of interest to many of your readers,
but am reminded of the fact that | have
nearly used the space you have so Tar very
kindly extended me and will close with the
reflection of but few moments.
1t was towards the close of my last days
stay in the city, had been moving much
about the Capitol grounds, viewing matters
of interest, the statues of Clay, Washington,
&c. had even visited againthe State library
pondered over the paintings of the great and
good men of Virginia. even touched the
hem of the battle flags, torn and riddled
with SHE'LL and that seem to whisper to my
very heart, Of hopes that were scattered, of
the glory that was dead, of men who knew
how to fight and how to die. | called again
at the hall Of the House and gazed at the
magnificent painting of Gen, Rob't f. Lee,
the soldier and phlanthropist who laid his
untarnished sword upon the altar of his
fond old State, when all was gone, bit honor
| looked at the great painting Of the battle
of Yorktown, and thought that in the politi-
cal workings Of this mighty government,
/ could see the practical results and inter-
pretations OF that great charter given us bv
the signers of the Declaration of lndepend-
ence demonstrated in our National and State
legislatures. Turning away from the room,
| inadvertently stepped out on the immense
piazza of this large building and leaning
against one of the tall and massive pillars
my eye rested in and around the Conleder-
ate Cemetery, the Confederate dead They
dreamed of freedom, but sleep in honored
graves, In the future of that sunny land
they will reign in every poem written, in
every art pursued, in every beauty treasured,
in every liberty won. Amid its graves, the
statesmen and patriots will gather to invoke
their patriotic iirmness and splendor- to
seek truth and honor The historian and
romancer will write OF love-and love will
tell of those brave boys. The soldier will
dream Of glory-and glory will take them
to these silent slabs that are ever eloquent
through the day, under the stars, in the
night.
ORION.
WashinutOn Feb 9Th 1899