The Dawson journal., 1883-12-13
WASHIN GTON LETTER.
rom our Regular Correspondent. !

exercised a visible influence over she
common every day life ofthe Capitol,
and has attractedalike politician, lob
byiSt, the national pilgrim, vanity
Fair, and all that curious assembly
which goes to make up the person
mel of this Legislative city. There is
a temporary Iull in the lin and con
fusion that has pervaded the hotel
lobbies during the past week and
the places where one has been usen
to seeing familiar faces and hearing
talk about the gavel are all vacant.
The hotel wiseacres, anu the very life
OF the city can now be found paying
homage 10 the new congress- just
born at the Capitol. A great throng
has passed in gorgeous array down
Pennsylvania Avenue. Every one
moved in tine same direction. AT
the great building the old familiar
scene OF animation once more greet
ed the view inside and out. It's long
siesla ofnine months was over. The
flagstaff which surmount the House
and Senate wings, were again be-
decked with the stars and stripes, to
be worn now whenever their respec-
tive charges are in session.
Your correspondent was upon the
ground early. He werded his way
through the chattering crowls in the
Rotunda and Railways until be arriv-
ed at the Legislative hall of the Low
er House. AS one looks down from
the Reporters Gallery upon the floor
OF the House at the opening of Con-
gress, remembrance of the debating
society OF his youth is perhaps one of
the first thoughts in which fancy
hnds vent. Fancy also recalls those
college scenes, so familiar when va.
cation is over. There are the big
school boys slapping each other on
the back, shaking hands, dispersed
in little animated knots. telling
stories, and cracking jokes. North
and South, East and West internin-
gle. There are no party lines now.
All move upon the same platform
and figure in a kaleidoscope scene of
which constantly shifts its
varying phases through the carpet
ed aisles, and between the long reg
ular rows of desks. At the sound of
the gavel in hands of ex-Speaker
Keifer the floor and galries were
brought to order, and 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
Senate prevailed in striking contrast
to the noisy assembly OF the Lower
House.
The scenes about the Caucns on
Saturday night were novel and inter
esting. Mr.. Carlisle took his posi-
ton in the room Of The Appropria-
tions Committees Mr.. Randall sat in
the room of the ways and Means
Committee, and Mr.. Cox held his
ground in the quarters of the Com
mittee 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, profts-
sional and ameteur, 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 expressing his pre-.
ference as his name was called. The
secretary had reached the middle of
the list, and strength of the Carlisle
tide became apparent. Anxious mem
bers who had voted carried the news,
as the ballot proceeded, to the wait
ing candidates Their friends did a
great deal of figuring in that last
half hour. Randall was unmoved to
the last and Cox preserved his serer.
ity, but neither could conceal his dis
appointment. Carlisle's manner was
as dignified as ever, but his. face light
ed up and he caught something of
the enthusiasm of his friends as they
told him of his nomination. The re
suit was not such surprise as it
might have been, for, on the last day
OF the battle, Indications were that
MIR. Carlisle would win. The vote
on the first ballot stood: Carlisle
l06; Randall, So Cox, 80.
In the House organization, Gen.
John b. Clarke was elected Clerk.
He has served in Congress- with hon.
or and distinction for ten consecu