The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-02

that political axe-was instantly applied by the
7" old ultra federalisto and modern Federal Loco
foco, Mr.. Nanderpoel, of Kinderhook and, in
that way, the bill was pressed to third reading.
The party would have again interposed the pre-
vious question TO prevent any discussion on the
final passage of the measure. But opposition
members were too quick for them. The Speaker
was IN the Chair and not that partisan tool of
the Executive, Mr.. Banks, of Va. who, as
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, dis
graced himself by his fragrant Partially and in
justice Had Mr.. BANKS presided, the floor
would undoubtedly have been given to the man
who was expected to call for the previous ques-
tion. The Speaker, however, gave il to Mr..
Graham. That gentleman made an excellent
speech against the bill. Mr. Green and Mr..
Halves, Of Kentucky, also spoke with great
force and spirit, in opposition to the measure
When the latter gentleman finished, there was
great competition for the floor but a Federal
Loco foco got it, and moved the previous ques-
ton, which was seconded, and the bill was
passed by the vote mentioned above.
When the Speaker put the usual question on
adopting the title given to the Bill by its trainers,
Mr. Cooper of Pennsylvania, moved to amend
by substituting title more correctly designating
its character, and the purposes Of the Admnistra-
ton, in aiming through il to reduce the wages of
labor, bring down the value Of property, &c, &c.
Mr. Gushing proposed still further to mark its
character by making the title indicate that il is a
measure which places the whole money of the
country in the hands of the President to be used
by him as he may think fit without the neres-
sity of any appropriation by law Mr.. Gushing
made some forcible and animated remarks in
support Of his proposition. When he resumed
his seat, Mr.. PIcKENs, of South Carolina, started
up, and let off one of those voleys of rhOdomon-
tade for which he has obtained such notoriety.
Never did we "a robustious, perriwigpated
fellow tear passion to tatters-to very rags
more ludicrously. He swelled, and fumed, and
pulled and beat the desks on each side of him,
and roared, and beloved on and on-as if he
had something in his head which men of sense
would think it worth while to listen to. But it
was all words words, words"-and very poor,
weak and ineffective words too, notwithstand-
ing all the violence with which they were deli
vered. From the tone in which they were ut
tered, one might have imagined the honorable
gentleman ready to run a tilt with any man. on
any occasion, about any thing. But, alas for
South Carolina chivalry, this loud and sounding
manifesto was only prelude to a supplication for
peace. The bugle Of Mr. Pickens sounded
truce after he had expended his martial ar
dor in brave portis. His rant and noise, after
all, dwindled into whining call for the pre-
vious question.
This mean conclusion to a flaming speech
produced the most obstreperous mrth in the
galleries and the House. The Chinese who
lately visited London, and met three chimney
sweeps strutting through the Strand with all the
airs of Tragedy Kings, went almost into con-
vulsons of laughter at the sight; but they were
not more amused than were the auditors of Mr..
Pckens al his tones and attitudes, and gestures,
ending with the splendid burst 81 move the
PREvlous QUESTION !"