The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-12-13
LETTER.
Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D. c..
Dec. 10. 1880

WASHINGTON, ID. c..
Dec. 10, 1881
Congress assemblies with an un-
usual infusion of new blood-new
men and young men-and with the
prospect of a new departure in the
possession of a positive policy on the
part of the majority. The House has
a good look to experienced eyes. To
glance down npon it from the gallery
the 325 Members appear to be most
ly good looking men, mainly men of
large frames and ~ofserious demeanor.
The absence of gray hairs among
them is notable. The conventional
attire of Congressman is plain black,
and nowhere outside of q church
funeral would one see such a gather
ing of men in black cloth suits. On
opening day especially, all the new
Members endeavored to look spruce.
The only man bold enough to intro
duce color in this sombre mass of
statesman-like rainment was Petit
bone, OF Tennessee. He had a fam
ing cherry eolored h ndkerchief tied
about his neck, and, as a necessary
conseq uence, attracted unusal notice.
Some accused this Southern Member
of waving the bloody shirt, and others
called him a patriot wrapped in the
banner of his country.
But I see some in the body who
look rather out of place there. Ex-
Senator Eaton, of Connecticut, who
so recently served in the diginifed
Senate will feel strange in his new
surroundings. And another veteran
is Pola2d, Of Vermont, who was prom
inent in previous Congresses and
comes back after years of absence to
find conditions somewhat changed,
His shallow face, white side whisk.
ers, and blue coat with brass buttons,
are marked by all observers. Then
there is Kellogg, of Louisiana, who
leaves the Senate and comes back tc
the House, only too glad to squeeze
in any where. He had his desk pileo
up with flowers on opening day, pro
badly to offset the bad odor in which
he stands personally. The red head
, ed Munchausen of Texas, Tom Ochil
tree, also attracts a good deal of At
tention. Dorsheimer, of New York
is the finest looking man in Congress
and VIM. Walter Phelps, of Ney
Jersey, is called the dude Meinbel
His sty lie and dress is exquisite, ar
. some Of the new Members expected
to see him come into the House wear
ing q white velvet coat, as somebod
said he would. Phelps did not sue
coed in having Keller r%epudiated, bu
it is certain that fully one-half of.th
Republicans desired to drop him
n The arguments used in the caucus fo
supporting him were amusing. The
said tIat to drop Keifer would be
! admit all that had been charge
It against him. The Members said the
n knew it was all true, but they coul
not afford for the sake Of The party I
. acknowledge it publicly. That sci
= tled'it. The G. o. p. had to be SUI
. tanned.
The feeling of satisfaction over I'll
selection for Speaker is steadiI
r growing and there is the genert
n opinion that no mistake has bee
made. The better MI. Carlisle an
his character and purpose become
d known, the greater the confidence
IS the perfect safety and wisdom of h
n administration. Mr.. Randall take
his defeat easily, and there is l
doubt that his usefulness as a lead
q on the floor will be almost equal
IN the service he might have rendert
in the chair. The new Speaker is
i. tall man, with a slight stcop in IL
shoulders. He has a very large bea
high above the ears, with a tremen
Gus indication of strength in h
L square smooth shaver jaws. II
d. complexion is shallow-the dead p;
e. lor of close student. His eyes are
NJ keen blue, set under bushy eyebrow
His nose is a cross between a CT
clan and a Roman. His mouth
IL large and firm in its lines. His h:
is is dark brown and is just beginni
on to be thin upon the crown. He wea
;af the conventional loose-ftting broa
cloth suit worn by the average pu
en lie man. He apparently never civ
no a single thought of what he has {
nd but his appearance is always nj
and the very evers of carelessne
He is very simple and democratic
at his manners, but is never famil
,o1 with anyone. No n would e.
dream of taking a liberty with c
Isle, while The humblest would be
ed ease in his presence. He is a p
nd fonnd student of all political gu
art tions and is nearly always at his de
At his rooms, when not engaged
do bis active duties in Congress, he |
On none of the arts of the active pol
led clan, and he has won the Speakers
of solely upon his merits and the gen
al recognition of his bright qualit
~ as a statesman. He is forty-ei!
years old and possesses q modest
tune. although not sufficient to 81
port him without the income fir
ky his law practice, which is consid
NO able. PHoNo
hu Notwithstanding th, prediction
our neighbour ofthe Register that
80, election of Carlisle as Speaker