New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-26
ALBANY SKETCHES.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS IN THE SENATE
CHAMBER.
VISITORS KEPT FROM THE FLooR-How THE
SENIOR LAWMAKERS LOOK, ACT
AND TALK.
rvRoMA 1ArF CORRESPONDENT or rnE TRIBUNE

AIbanv Ian o5-The ladies who are in the habit
Of visiting the Senate Chamber at the evening SESSIONS
to follow the intrcaccs Of debate and canvass the
good looks of the senators this year deprived OF
q cherished privilege. one of the miscellaneous
rules requires that strangers shall be adhlt'eo
to the floor except on invitation Of the President or
by vote of the Senate But the comfortably cushioned
benches against the walls have heretofore been CON
stantly adorned by the fair wearers OF handsome
toilets, and aspiring young senators nave pcc"
stimulated in their wOrdy bouts and tournaments by
bewitchng smiles and approving glances from bright
ewes This year. that stimulus is withdrawn. 30
Gallant legislator as Mr.. Fassett has Insisted that
the floor shall be held sacred to those having business
there. Entcrprising danes who contrlve 10 ciuuo
the vigilance OF the doorkecpers are therefore puDcy
requested to retire by sergeant arms WIN io'u
voice and businesske air. II the object Is to pre-
vent disturbance Of the Senators, the plan Is eh'icy
successful for the galleries are so high ana steep
that they must now crane their necks merely TO
view rows of bonnets and opera glasses In am
perspective.
From the galleries the at an evening ses-
sion is sufficiently animated and picturesque ono
is near enough to the carved and glded ceiling inc
polished stone columns, the delicate marble tacefeS
and the panels OF dazzling onyx to appreciate the
architectural magniHcence OF the chamber. Clusters
OF incandescent lamps flood the place with hSht'
which the deep rich hues OF the carpetng ana Wow
work TEMPER and absorb Seated In highbacRed
chair at the top Of three tiers Of desks Lieutenant
Governor Jones glances up abstractedy Win Ills
kindly black eyes and twirls his Incompatible mus
tache Below him. a clergyman in white ncckcloth
(nelther house has a regular chaplain, by the "ay)
consults with Clerk Kenyon and his assistants before
whom are spread the wide foios on which the rccods
are inscribed the floor. and facing the senator's
are the desk chairs OF the alert newspaper CORE
spondcnts who come and go the proceedings
Nuctuae in interest The redtopped desks OF the
Senators are arranged in the body Of the chamber, In
two semi-circular rows, facing General Jones ana
divided in the middle by passageway Al the back
is a wooden railing, without which the senators
occasionally stroll hold interviews with Their
Asscmblymen other privileged beings. Pages doze
on chairs and arc aroused by the clapping Of hands,
in Congress.
Now all this would be highly satisfactory II 10
enabled spectators to see what going on; but IL
doesn't. \ birdscyc view Of the top Of Senator's
head IA very well in its way. but neither That nor
the wild tossing Of his dishcvcllcd locks can Crafty
burning feminine curiosity 10 the precise expression
on his countcnancc at critical moment IN the fortunes
Of his pet measure. Moreover, the present arrange
mcnt is decidedly unjust to exactly half the senator's
since in order 70 address the ladies from their seats
they would need to present their profile to the
President and their backs 10 their coleaguc'-an
cccentricy which neither taste nor etiquette woud
permit Their only resource Is therefore to cross 10
the opposite side Of the chamber and uSurp sohch'y
! cl~cS
IS always marked by peculiar fcrvor and clo1uencc
The Lieutenant q Governor /, the most amiablc 81
nrosldnc officers. He lacks the abruptnc>s ana
bclliecrcncy which one somehow expects In such an
I Official, and has never surprised anybody by those
adroit and rapid parliamentary manoeuvrc' "Ih'h
have distinguished some 81 his predecessors Hut ne
+, invariably patient and good tempered and replies
to thouchilcss demonstrations with quiet dignity
that should be more effective than severe rcbubc The
fame Of his astonishing rhetorical flight at syracuse
has not yet died away. but his remarks In the 'hhir
are always brief and to the point, and show ready
comprchenson Of all matters under discussion JudI;
Robertson the veteran Republican representative from
West,hcstcr and ROckland counties who INST entered
the Assembly In l-4g and the senate in lr5i, was
born five years before General Jones, and is con-
scaucntly the Oldest man I'm the Senate. The Legs
aturc has az various times contained members VINO
have aftcrward achieved distinction Cabinet officers
United States senators. Con eIcs-mcn and foreign Min
istcrs. But nobody has ever sat IN either branch
whose public record would compare with that 81
/ Judge Robertson in length and distinction. His
speeches are less frequent than those who enjoy them
would desire Indeed his attitude Of silent watchiu
| ness might be commended TO some Of his younger
and exubcrant colleagues, A. well "a h' ihdu'
| try in committee. The Judge sees many callers In
The ante room during tho sessions II not 50 disturbed
and IL not particularly Interested In dull debate, ho
takes exercise by pacing to aud fro outside the ran
=.
Mr. Fassett who has been reelected President pro
fem is one Of the most interesting Oh the floor
While personally popular with both parties Ms ability
as a leader and dcbater is unqucstioned None OF
the Younger men approaches him in the grasp Of -
difficult question and power 10 handle II Skliuily.
For this reason. a measure for which he acts a.,
sponsor is sure to be well for the floor 40
attack seems n disconccrt him. however unexpected.
His manner il particularly happy. lie has scduously
cultivated habit 81 restrained genlslty, which any
body who engages him In debate discovers is dan
rcrously effective Weapon Far from losing his
temper At parscufs-iy vlrulent attack on his acts
| or motives. Hs Fassctt merely bces the House To-
| forgive hi, opponents unfortunate mpetuO,ity. AZ
! the same tlmo covering him with benign and In
dulscnt smile Then he proceeds. in suavc and
| musical tones. 10 rccit" the reasons which,
/ cnttle the crriue Democrat to consideration.
il not commiseIation. and udiciou'ly employs his
rift Of delicate IRONY that the Democrats are laughing
Al their own associate before his discontinue is half
complete Toward the Chair. the handsome young
senator observes studied gravity ana dccowm.
Since the first NIGHT Of the session. indeed. Mr. Jones
has found nothing 10 ccn-urc In the domcanor ~
any Of the majority Compared with the Assembly.
Dis is a remarkably tranquil family circle. ON
Wednesday, for the first time this year. Mr. Fassctt
occupied the chair In this capacity his versatility
becomes apparent 40 contrast could be stronger
than that between hi. dccrcntal attitude a speaker
on the floor leaning forward lightly with hi, hands
on his desk and bowling courtcously but with smiling
eyes at question from the President, and the brisk
dccisvcncss Of his manner when 1t i his turn II
make rulings ard keep business moving. General
Hustled If he ever watches him when 50 engaged
must feel that his example has been well followed
and II time operates alike In both houses the Senat"
as we'll as the Assembly may yet have a lald Eagle
Of its own
Mr. Cantor. rs the labelled leader" Of minority
which sometimes declines 10 follow him. Is most
frequently brought into collision with the gentleman
from the XXV1lth.n lie is a capable and industrious
young man. with particularly killing mustachc
and an engaging smile. lie dresses neatly. In sober
suits Of grav. and would eXt0rt admiring comments
from fair visitors, il they not placed almost
directly his head. As 1t Is. there Is genera
he rail- yI