The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-12-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From ourRegular Cor, espondent.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1888.
The big white pile of marble which
crowns Capitol Hill is the centre of
attraction In Washington to day. It
has exercised a visible influence over
the common every day life of the cap.
ital, and has attracted alike politician,
lobbyist, the national pilgrim, Vanity
Fair, and all the curious ensemble
which goes to make up the personnel Of
this legislative city. There Is a tenn
porary lull in the din and confusion
that has peryaded the hotel Hobbies
during the past week, and the places
where one has been used to seeing ia
miliar faces and hearing talk about the
gavel are all vacant. The hotel wise
acres, and the very life of the city can
now bs found paying homage to the
new congress Just born at the capitol.
A great throng has passed in gorgeous
array down Pennsylvania avenue f.
Everyone moved in the same direc-
tlon. At the great building the old
familiar scene of animation once more
greeted the view inside and out. Its
long siesta of nine months was over.
The iagstaffs which surmount the
house and senate wings were again be-
decked with the stars and stripes, to
be worn now whenever their re-
spective charges are in session.
Your correspondent was upon the
ground early. He wended his way
Through the chattering crowds In the
rotunda and Railways until he arrived
at the legislative hall of the lower
house. As one looks down from the
reporters gallery upon the floor of the
house at the opening Of congress, d re-
membrance of the debating society of
his youth is perhaps one of the first
thoughts In which fancy finds vent.
Fancy also recalls those college scenes,
so familiar when vacation Is over.
There are the big school boys slapping
each other on the back, shaking hands,
dispersed in little animated knots, tel
ling stories and cracking jokes. North
and south, east and west interminglp.
There are no party lines now. All
move upon the same platform and 6g-
ure In a Kaleidoscope scene of confus-
ion which constantly shifts Its varying
phases through the carpeted alsles, and
between the long regular rows of desks.
at the sound of the gavel in the hands
Of ex-Speaker Keller, the door and gal
laries were brought to order, aud the
house Of representatives of the forty
eighth congress proceeded to organize.
Over at the other end of the capitol, the
quiet dignity and decorum Of the sen
ate prevailed In striking contrast to the
noisy assembly of the lower house.
The scenes about the caucus on Sat-
urday night were novel and interesting.
Mr.. Carlisle took his position in the
room Of the appropriations committee,
Mr.. R ,ndall sat in the room of the
ways and near committee, and Mr..
Cox held his ground In the quarters of
the committee on foreign affairs.
Around the leaders were those of their
stats and friends who were not in the
caucus. In the corridors outside was
a crowd of politicians, professional and
amateur, who filed the air with tobacco
smoke. In the hall of the house sat
nearly two hundred men playing the
last moves in the great game. They
had decided after several votes that
they would vote openly, each man ex-
pressing his preference as his name was
called. The secretary had reached the
middle of the list, and the strength of
the Carlisle tide became apparent.
Anxious members who had voted car
ried the news, as the ballot proceeded,
to the waiting candidates. Their
friends did a great deal of figuring in
that last half hour. Randall wal un-
moved to the last and Cox preserved
his serenity, but neither could conceal
his Disappointment. Cariisle's manner
was as dignifed as ever, but his face
lighted up and he caught something OF
the enthusiasm of his friends as they
told him Of his nomination. The re-
suit was not such a surprise as it might
have been, for, on the last day of the
battle, indications were that Mr.. Car
Isle would win. The vote on the first
ballot stood: Carlisle, LOG; Randall, 50;
Cox, 80.
In the house organization, General
John B. Clark was elected clerk. He
has served in congress with honor and
distinction for ten consecutive years
and is personally popular and respected.
The political division Of the house al
present is 1914 democratic representa-.
tives, ITO republicans, 4 independents,
2 greenbackers and 8 readjusters.
The season." at the capital fairly
opens TO-DAY, but neither politics mol
society will attain their full blaze Of
glory until after the Christmas and
New Year festivities are over. After
that congress will settle down to the
sz . -.