Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-06-07
ANOTHER


\ good deal of fun was created in the House of
Representatives. ON Monday, week, by the reading
ul communication from some odd genius SUE
costing time saving method of taking the ayes aud
uays.-Ihls paper was found by Mr.. Vim. Cost
johnson on his desk. lie IaId it before the House
that 1t might receive the proper direction. 1t is
follows:
To the Hon. WM. Cosr JOHNSON:
"Sn-l out laudable exertons to reuench the
expenses Of the House of which you are IA member,
must be my apology for addressing YOU this
mnnlcatluu.
The estimated expenses of the House of Re
personalities are about two thousand dollars per
day.
Congress sits on an average, five months in each
year, and the expenses, at the above rate, OF the
branch of which You form part, are, at least, three
hundred thousand dollars per annum. Whatever
may be the number of hours appropriated to busl-
hess Il VIII be seen by "A reference to the recorded
proceedings that the yeas aud nays ordered
an average, at least once hour. This process
consumes III time twenty minutes, and in money
ohe-lh.:G OF the daily expenses, making al annual
amount Of al least one hundred thousand dollaIs.-
have thought that plain simple remedy for this
evil, would meet the ready appreciation OF all par
ties; and nave determined accordingly 10 submit
| a practicable plan which, if adopted, would enable
the House to record the yeas and nays upon any
propositions call of the House, in tG0 seconds
the very tulthes.
" Without descending to the minor details of
this plan, / viii merely submit the principal out
lines which viii enable every member Of your honoia
bic body to comprehend 1t Immediately.
:" would extend from each members seat a
small lrirc, Just below the surface OF the floor, to
point front Of the Clerks table, al which the
Whole would COMMERCE III circle OF eighteen IN
| ches IN diameter From the end at the members
scat, would extend another small lCirc to key on
the top Of the desk table which could be readily
touched with the finger. From the ends at the
Clicks table. | would extend upwards, say three
feet, another wie, and connect it with small sharp
I jrs6e OF the size ola common knitting pm. These
gr5bes would arrange in rows to fit the members
names on the list or roll, and place them under Il
plate of wood or TIN, with Il number Of small
| holes in it,. Upon this plate would lay the list,
having the names arraigned as to correspond with
the holes and and on the top Of this would place
another plate, corresponding exactly with the one
underneath. On pfopoundlng question, upon
/ which recorded vote should be desired, | would
request the ayes to touch their keys, whercupon
the JrDJc at tie table would peer up half inch,
and plainly puncture the list, precisely where the
| Clerk makes lis black mark to indicate that vote.
! | would then with a small key move the frame con
! tanning the list side wise, about an inch, dis
lance equal to the length Of the names, immediate
| y over the lows OF protest. vould then request
the uaysto touch lhelr keys which would make u
similar puucturea at the other end Of the names
The list would then be taken, and called over by
the Clerk in the usual way, 10 test the oil
and complete the process, during which time not
word need be uttered, except the test call by thu
Clerk.
- This plan could be effected during the recess
and be in readiness for the Of the next session
| suppose twelve fifteen hundred dollars would be
sufficient to complete the project. Now SHOULD
this plan with the favor Of Congress, and the
House will appropriate the above amount 10 be sub
ject tony order the work progresses, | will at
tend TO and complete this plan in the without
any Other reward than the consciousness of having
rendered so valuable service. Had permission Of
the House to proceed, could have all the fixtures
complete before the adjournment and Immediately
thereafter havclhem putin full operation in readl
ness or the next injecting.
Il have no doubt but that you will give tins
subjec, such direction, as, IN your better Judgment
It may seem To require.
Should lis consideration be referred TO com
mlltce, VIII take pleasure IN giving, III person.
moic particular description ot tic Ian. All o
! which Is respectfully submued'