Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-03-19
VIM. D. McMASTER, Editor & Pro'r.
from our regular corresponding
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, d. c., March 10, 'S4'

Washington, D. c., March 10, 's4.
1t is quite common in these days for
people to sigh over the degeneracy of
medern politicians and to contrast the
eloquence and ability Of the men who
served in Congress with Webster and
Calhoun and Clay with the common
place stupidity OF the public man of to-
day. ! have no doubt, however, that
the House of Representatives of the
Forty-eighth Congress will compare
favorably in point of intelligence, and
in point of ability to show that intelli-
gence, TO the best advantage with any
House which has preceded it. 1t may
be this very fact which tends to make
the lower house cumbrous and unwieldy
in the transaction of public business,
because man who can talk well is
apt to talk often and long regardless of
the fact that slime flies" One great
difference between the Congress of to-
day and tha! of fifty or more years ago
is that the general average of ability is
greater and that brilliant men shine
out less conspicuously. In the present
Congress the proportion of members
serving first term is unusually large,
and the number of them who have
proved themselves able to cope with
their more experienced colleagues sur
prisingly so. Among the new men,
bers who have shown marked ability
are Adams of New York, who came
into prominence by a fine speech on
the Chalmers Manning election case
and his connection with the committee,
investigating Kiefer and Broadhead,
of Missouri, who, though now i'll leg
islative halls, has long been known as
man of recognized ability.
The California delegation, composed
with one exception entirely of new and
young men, is the strongest which that
State has ever sent. And it is not
demagogical delegation, which is some
thing to say for California. Mr.. Fin
erty is the only man whom Illinois has
sent for the frs. time who has made
himself prominent, and, though bis OBJ
lection to the "Alcrt' resolution was a
piece Of petty spite, his earnest appeal
for new navy shows that his spite
has something behind it stronger than
mere demagoguism. Thomas A. Rob-
ertson, fresh from Kentucky, seems to
be of that indolent disposition which
always characterizes one or two men in
that delegation, but judging from some
brief remarks he has made to the
House, he might prove bad CUSTOM
err to trihe with in discussion. One of
the best speeches made against the
.Fitz John Porter bill, was by Clutch
con, of Michigan, and one Of the most
rafting replies thereto by Laird, OF
Nebraska, both being new members.
Pennsylvania sends many new men,
bers, who will. no doubt, make stir
before they retire. Mr.. Elliott, the
member at large, is youngest member
of the House, but he has already taken
"a leading position and is recognized not
only as an able lawyer, but a strong
and brilliant orator. Ray, of New
York, made very good speech on the
.Fitz John Porter bill and succeeded
in gaining the attention of his col
leagues on the floor after they had
once started to run for the cloak rooms.
as is usual when a new member begins
to talk.
The bill pensioning Mexican veter'
ans finally passed the House.
The labored articles sent out by
friends of Mr.. Arthur, to the etfec
that he is virtuously lying back tor TIT
people to re-elect him without making
any effort on his own part, causes
broad smile to illume the features o
those who know just what is going on
AS matter of fact, no President eve
used his position for the purpose of Sc
curing denomination to greater ex
tent than Arthur is now doing. Mr.
Blaine is his strongest competitor. ii
has concluded to hunt the game. thl
time without tho noisy accompaniment
hitherto employed, and it is likely h
will turn I'M ut Chicago with bag full