Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-08
From WASHINGTON.
Especial Correspondence Of tho Alexandria aasottoi
WASHINGTON. D. O., Dec. S, 1855.

The Capitol to. day presents the appear
ance it usually wears during the early days
of the long sessions of Congress. The gale
ries. are we'll filled, even the diplomatic.
This is SO because of the desire to see the
position of the seats occupied by the mem
bers. Many of the old lobbyists-those
whose faces have been familiar at the Capt.
toll for years past-have also turned up
again, though their respective "lays" have
not yet been exposed. The doors of the
chambers of both houses are also, as Is usual
in the early days of the session, crowded
with people who send in their cards to
the members, sometimes on the latter's, but
far oftener on their own business. In the SEN
ate, Messrs. Malone and Riddleberger, who
are both here, occupy the same seats
they did in the last Congress. In the
House, however, it is different. There, with
the exception of Mr.. Tucker, who occupies
his old seat by the courtesy of Mr. Dibble,
of South Carolina, who drew it, all the re-
elected Virginians occupy different seats
from those they sat in during the last Con-
gress. Mr.. Barbour sits near the outer row
of the first division of seats, to the exteme
right of The Speaker, and Mr.. Daniel, q new
member, sits next to him. Mr.. Wise sits
next to Mr.. Randall, who has his old and
familiar seat. Mr.. Croxton sits in the front
row of the second division of seats. Messrs
Csbell and O'Ferrall have good seats near
the centre of their side. There not being
room enough on the democratic side for all
the democratic members, Mr.Trigg haa been
crowded over to the republican side, on the
outer row, to the extreme left of the Speaker.
Mr.. Libby, the Maboneite, sits in the same
row, but not so far out, and Mr.. Brady, the
other Mahoneite in the delegation, occupies
seat near that in which Mr.. Libby sat in the
last Congress. Gen. Malone was not in his
seat during the early hours of the session
to-day, and Mr.. Riddleberger was only in
his for O short time, but during that he
apparently annoyed no little Senator Sew
ell, of New Jersey, who was sitting in the
adjoining seat listening intently to the read
ing of the Presidents message, by his soto
voce comments upon that message
The proceedings of the House were open
ed to day with prayer by the new chap
lain, Rev. Rev. Mr.. Miburn, known as the
blind preacher. His prayer was two minu
ties and a half long, and had special reference
to the death of the late Vice. President.
Mr.. Watterson had long interview with
the President last night in regard to the
latter's tariff recommendations contained in
his message to Congress to-day. 1t ID IN
derstood that in those recommendations he
heartily concurs with the President, and
that Mr.. Speaker Carlisle and Mr.. Morrison,
with whom be afterwards conferred, do the
same. These three gentlemen are among
the recognized leaders of the tariff reform
ers, and, if as reported, the recommendations
referred to are also satisfactory to Mr.. Ran
dali, the leader of the protection democrats,
the President has been remarkably success.
full in reconciing the great differences
heretofore believed to exist between the two
wings of his party.
It is rumored that Mr.. Hewitt, of New
York, will be made chairman of the House
Naval Committee, though he was not q
member of that Committee in the last Con.
gress, and though Messrs. Wise of Virginia
and McAdoo CT New Jersey were.
A meeting of the joint committee to con
slider the advisablity of consolidating the
seven scientific bureaus Of the Government
was held this morning, and an officer in one
of them-the signal service-was examined.
Intelligence from Richmond here to-day
is to the effect that Judge Keith, Of The
Alexandria judicial circuit, will be re-elect-
ed without opposition, and that Mr.. Stroth-
er, of Rappahannock, will be the judge of
that county Mr.. Cardwell, it is reported,
is candidate for the judgeship of the Fred
ercksburg circuit.
Mr.. Barbour was in his seat in the House
to day as usual. He bears his defeat in the
most philosophic manner Imaginable; says
it was the fate of war, that regrets are the
vainest of all things, that the uncertainty Of
the contest lost him no sleep and the GER
-: Isl ord hot bo 10 anpfont WI th
the position in which it has pleased Provi-
dence and the people of his district to place
him. 1t is understood that Mr.. Barbour
will be reappointed to his old position
chairman of the House Committee on the
District of Columbia.
Mr.. Daniel wears his honors as Senator
elect from Virginia gracefully and becom.
ingly. He is in receipt of numerous con-
gratulatory dispatches and letters, in re-
spouse to which he says his uncs&sing effort
will be to give those who elected him no
cause to regret their action. It was report
ed at the Capitol this morning that Mr.. Dan
lei had gone to Richmond to receive the con
CALCULATIONS of his friends.
The Presidents first message to Congress
was read in both houses to day. Notwith-
standing its length it was listened to attcn-
lively by republicans as we'll as democrats,
and by both it is considered an ex-
cellent state paper. It is probable the
Senate will adjourn Immediately upon
the conclusion of the reading In the
House it is expected that when tho reading
of the message has been completed Mr..
Morrison will introduce resolution for
changing the rules, which will be the cause
of much discussion.
Among the appropriations recommended
by the Secretary of the Treasury for the
coming year is one of $9SS, 1869 for the Nor
folk navy yard.
Mr.. Mills. of Texas, has prepared q tariff bill
which he will introduce in tho House at the earli
est opportunity, the chief point of which will be
the large number of articles that will be put upon
the free list including most if not all of the prime
necessaries.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
In the Senate yesterday bills were intro
duced to encourage the prompt payment of
Tho ILL prop;Jao raboto Of en-