Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-31
alley, 4 NDRlAe
FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 81, 1926.

We refer the reader to our sketch oil yes
terday's proceedings in the Senate, ana leave
him 10 decide, whether it can any longer De
doubted, that the Composition" in that body,is
an m,prineipled faction. fhwarted in every at
tempt to excite the people, and, by misrepre-
sen,ation and sophistry, TO bring odium upon
the administration-this desperate and hetero-
eeneous band of mal-contents, has laid aside
all decency in debate, aud converted the Senate
Chamber of the United States, not barely into
political arena, but into second Billings
gate. The conduct Of Mr.. Randolph is no less
preiudcial to the character Of the American
Senate, than it is disgraceful to his native
state; aud the daring violation of ali establish
ed rules for the transaction OF business, admon-
ishes US, that we have exalted an ambitious,
tyrannical, and dangerous intriguer 10 the
Vice Presidency Of the Union. we once
thought better Of Mr.. Calhoun, but we con-
fess we were deceived.
The debate on the proposed amendments TO
the constitution Of the United States was not
terminated yesterday as was expected; but
doubtless will be TO day. Mr.. Mc'Duffie has
the floor, and it is understood that the question
will be taken as soon as he shall have conclu-
ded his argument.
We regret to state that the Committee on
Commerce, yesterday made report, to the
House Of Representatives, unfavourable to any
appropriation, at this time, for the erection oil
4 Breakwater at the Mouth Of the Delaware
Bay.
We read, some weeks ago, in a New-York
paper, an extract of a letter, purporting TO be
from gentleman in Washington, to the Edi-
tors Of the print in which it was inserted, hav-
imp for its object critical examination into the
materials which compose the House OF Repre-
sentatives. The writer undertakes 10 point out
the prominent members Of the House, by name,
and TO distribute the elect into what he Calls
"FIoor Members" and "Busiaess Members As
we did not think it material then, so we shall
not stop, now, TO prove his utter incompetcncy
prise, the same article silently transplanted into
the columns of the "SENrINEL OF THE VALLEY"
we cannot, in justice TO the able Representative
ofthat District, permit the circumstance TO es-
cape without remark.
Among these "Floor and Business Members
Just alluded to, were the names Of several dis
tinguished Virginians, but none more distin-
guished than Mr.. PowELL, who represents the
County in which the SENTINEL is published, and
whose name, from ignorance, or inadver,ence,
was omitted by the letter writer. The SENTINEL
cannot be otherwise tina informed of tic high
standing o. that gentleman on the floor of Con-
gress-the respectable manner in which he has
sustained his character as "foor member" and
when we inform the Editor, that Mr.. P. has
beeu equally useful and conspicuous as n men,
Der Of our District Committee, or "business
member he will readily understand the grounds
Of our complaint. When the Editor Of the
SENTINEL published the extract, he should
have pointed out the defect, which we have
shown, and which is calculated to injure his
faithful representative by keeping him in the
rear and out Of sight, when he merits and holds
prominent place in the front rank. Trust
ing and believing that the Editor OF the Sen
TiyEL had no inyitious motive for the course
he has pursued, we respectfully suggest TO
him the propriety and fairness of counter
acting whatever of evil tendency the publica-
ton fthe New-York letter may have produc-
cd in Mr.. Powell's District
CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS OF YESTERDAY.
IL THE NSENArE-A number of engrossed
bills which were yesterday ordered to third
reading, were reported by the Committees, but,
before reading them the third time and passing
:hem, although one was the bill to provide for
an additional Naval force, which the Senate
were anxious to pass yesterday, the Wee PRE-
sIDENr announced the order OF The day TO be
the Resolution offered by Mr.. Branch OF n 4.
,.k;.L -. 49,. i,..oJ f,o,,, tho Exprptive IN