Daily Republican., 1883-02-19
THIRD EDITION..
Washington Letter.

"ASh1nkuOn Letter.
WAsHINGToN, February II, lSS3.-A1
eleven O'Clock this morning., when The
President OF the Senate let fall the gayeI
calling the Senate to order and devotion
l counted thirteen senators al their seats,
most OF whom ruS, to their feel, and with
heads duly bowed apparently followed
the chaplain Though his prayer while
Others gave evidence OF the total neglect
of their early plety by-retaining their
their eyes from the new papers in their
hands As soon as the prayer cndcd, 9th.
err undevotiOnal senators came struggling
10 their places Evidently Senators are
not much under Lenten influence
The galleries Of the Senate and House
are visited every day now by an I'M
usually large number of those transient
sight-seers with which Washington is
perennially thronged, all eager to be eye
witnesses of the workings Of the Ameri-
can Congress. OF course they hear
nothing but the discussion Of the allah
sorbing tariff question. After listening
to the debate for several hours they 90
away, and doubtless inquire OF the first
person to whom they dare contide their
ignorance, la General Hancock =
"Who is Tariff, and what does he want
with revenue only"'
These spectators take much interest
in the scenes below, are especially anX-
louS to know the names fcUngrcSslncu,
and show much amusement at the little
tilts and Spats that they indulge III So
often, not because Of the fine quality Of
these retOrts, but visitors have prccou-
ceived ideas Of the gravity Of statesmen,
and cannot but be surprised to see them
descend SO readily to triviality. The
House gallery in particular is the worst
conceivable place for expanding ones
that close contact with real congressman
that inevitably results in disappoint-
ment L. 5. Congryssmen have never
been noted for dignited department,
finished manners, courtesy or elegance
of any kind, but there are some rules Of
ordinary decency that they should feel
required to observe.
They should not be allowed during
sessions to lounge and take maps ON So
tas, smoke, elevate their feet above their
heads, sit with their backs TO the speak
er, or defy his utmost efforts 10 make "A
member heard. They do not seem 10
feel in the least impressed with the i'm
portance Of time, even i'll the present
stress, and on the slightest provocatlon
will turn aside from business to Mranglr
ill-naturedly over some insignificant
point, and in their efforts to get even,
hurl school-b"y epithcts III lieu of logic.
The Senate Of course is more quiet, |
orderly, dignitied, and respectful. But
even there scenes of daily occur |
renee prove [. :. Senators to be mot |
the shrinking rrcatiOns of culture they |
might have been, and persons enter .
ing these halls Of lcgiSlaliou under the /
influence OF "A surchargc of national i'll |
tlation are in danger Of leaving the Cap |
itol more impressed by the grandeur Of .
its plan, architecture, painting, and |
sculpture, than by the force, power,
and dignity Of our national statesmen.
The tariff debate brings constantly to .
the surface the humliatiug fact that
the minds and votes OF congressman are
much more powerfully influenced by |
local than by national interests. Al
most every man wants the highest pos
Slhle protection for the interests of hi,
State, and the lowest possible duty upon
every article consumed, but not pruduC-
ed. by his people. The men who shout
the iOudeSt for free trade suuIrIn the
most when an industry i'll which they
are personally interested is attacked.
The supremacy Of money in behalf of
private rather than national interests
has been the ban, If tariff legislation
all the time, and there has been ST
much narrow gauge Thought and con-
tracted ,elt-iutercst brought to light,
that purity of intent and breadth Of ,
principle are no longer recognizable,
1.-THE happy Democratic fanny Of the ,
Senate la. just had Il little quarrel in
which some accused others Of voting to
protect their personal interests This
proves that the tariff is rs dI>traCring
10 Democrats rs to Republicans. Btu ,
minuus coal was the exciting ca1>r. !
Senator Davis, Of West Virginia, who +
Is largely interested IN coal mines, had 3.
said that Il large portion Of an ar-u-
iucnt made by Senator Morgan Of A la
baIua, was unworthy Of notice where
upon Senator Morgan aro>t full Of in s
dignatiUm and said he would show that |
the man who made that remark was
voting taxes out Of tn" people 10 put {
into his own pocket to enrich him
SET.