New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
WHAT Is TALKED OF IN WASHINGTON.

OF THE SENArE-JTAR ROUTE TitlhlT-lif-
ATRICAL-PERSONAL
lFpoN THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE'l
WAsHIyGToN. March 3.-COngress is In lis last
hours and grows interesting and even iascln"uns
to many who are hardly conscious of Its eXlstehce
at other times. The whole city seems to feel lle
sir of the big Avwheel that IL VIII Ring through as
many rounds per minute as il can make before 'ho
clock ticks ont the last second and the whole ma
chine comes to a dead stop. Great numbers OF peo-
pie here. who see nothing Of Congress at otner
times. 20 to the Capitol in throngs these last nights
drawn by vague expectancy OF great events winch
they know will not como to pass. But they cahho'
resist the current. :.
The spectacle which the Capitol presents Is
enough of itself to kindle the lm"glna-
ton. 1t looms up on the bill III w.
Darkness vast and imposing shape pierced WIN
countless lights At the point OF the huge uoi,o
burns plItterinp column of light that SHOOTS us
ravs ont between the pillars of the cupola' over
each wing of the building the eye can just mako
ont n faint outline Of something waving. NO"
little gust of wind carries il into ray OF hgh. anu
il IA seen to be tbe flag that always flies while the
House over which it Is raised Is IN session'
Within the building crowds of people hurry
70 and fro between the Houses hunting for chance
to slip INTO the crowded galleries excited ana eager
without knowing why.
It's motley crowd, and catalogue OF the per
sons and of the motives that have brought eacn Oh
them 70 Washington and here, would make queer
reading Lobbyists, generals, claim agents, iiplo-
mats ladies of the highest social position ana ladeS
of the lowest; men with jobs; men with theories
and "cranks"; wrecks of men and women VINO
have been haunting Congress for years with some
claim-perhaps a just one; honeymoon tourists;
No., bn have mi
down 10 see how things are done in the dry tree 30
that they will know how to do them in the green
negroes innumerable, from the light-colored and
highly dressed variety to the blacklist and humbest
shades shoal. of department clerks; editors, come
on 70 catch the spirit of events; members OF tho
Cabinet; offce-seekers, who cannot get away from
the light that Is likely to SINCE them sorely before
they get away from it, etc, etc.
Inside the Chambers the scene is likely to be dull
and sluggish enough except for the sense OF antlc-
patton aroused by the presence of Large and keenly
vatchful audience. Perhaps not half the members
are IN their seats and those who are have weary
and istless look. The floor looks as II there had
been fierce snowstorm. it Is so white with news
papers, bills and documents. Here and there IL
little pile which might pass for respectable snow
drift Members are stretched out on the sofas, and
the cloak rooms are full of men smoking.
II seems little strange after all the striving TO
push ones way ill., and after all the feeling one has
that in those closing hours there great battle OF
opposing interests going on, 10 find some member
aking "A ong speech on some subject the pubic
cares nothing about, and to which not one single
Inomber is listening. But at any moment
matter Of real interest is likely to be
thrust forward. aud the scene to become exciting
There is unusually great good humor on the hoor,
and only that confusion which IS inevitable. 1t
may be- of course. that some Senator wall exhibit
himself A. a helot for the benef of the ausiero
Spartans who are his fellow-membor'. or Of the
usually aus.ere Sparans in the galleries but forn-
nacly FOR the credit of Congress and the country,
such humiliating occurrences are rare.
Senator Edmurds was elected President pro tenn.
of the Senate to-day, and will become President OF
the United States President Arthnr should die be-
fore December next The nomination by the Re-
publican caucus was without opposition, the pro-
priety OF the selection being conceded even by SEN
ators who would have preferred tho choice OF
some personal friend Mr. Edmunls j. the oldest Sen
ator in continuous service next 90 ; naor Anthony
who is lust completing his fourth term aud entering
upon his if;h--a service only equailed by that Oh
Benton Senator sherman has served more years
been Senator sixteen years whn he went into Pres
iIent Hayes's Cabinet, and is now IN his fourth
term. Mr. Edmunds has Just completed his seven
tenth consecutive year. and has four more before
bis term will be ont. Ills colleague Mr. Morrill,, Il
one year behind him. with two years still 10 serve.
In fact the length of service of the men who arr
considered tho veterans of the Srnat illustrates tho
rapid changes in public lIfc. Mr.. Bayari, who Is
looked upon as one Of tho pillars Of the chamber
has been here only fourteen years thus far. Ferry
is going out in complete eclipse Mt tho end twelve
Years. Window has served thirteen, Allison ten
Logan only ton III all. Dawes only eight, sall.burJ
twelve Ransom eleven DAVIS, OF West Virginia
twelve aud ingalls, ten. These are the gray-bcard'
Of the Senate III point of service
Bnt Mr. EdmundS pre-ominence does not res
upon any such factitous circumstance rs tho date
of his election lie is Of the abiosi men 10 Tho
body. if not tho very ablest. lie is sometimes
called the schoolmasier Of the Senate, and tht
BOYS grow a little FESTIVE now and then under ms
rule They complain that he IS little
too particular. sometimes, abOut tho way
the u are crossed, and the is are dotted. and
say that he mas 2 fondnoss for dwelling on small
points; but when be has anything 10 say he Is lis
tened 10 WI IN marked attention. lie IA one OF thu
ouietest Senators in the body, and will often 81
day after day leaning ms bearded check against his
forefnger, apparently absorbed IN bis own thoughts
| People who must always DO hkeulnI
one thing 10 another say ho is the image of thu
| pictures Of IT. jerome. There Is resemblance
| but his likeness to George +. EdmundS Il
| mnch more striking. HIS bald head aud white
beard give HIM venerable appearance, but Ito is
| much younger man than no looks. lie has JUS
passed his ffty.Gfth birthday, aud ia In the very
prime of life. There is not man In Congress mor'
Indifferent apparently, to the impression he makes
! When he speaks it il in a low, rapid tone. without
reconciliation and without how his sentence Is
| turned 80 long as it expresses his meaning
| clearly. In fact, sometimes he seems almost
ostentatiously careless of oratorical effect
| He makes no gestures, and his lips
| Ill. .noru n lnnua IIn nnver lennl