Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-28
At MY BOARDING HOUSE,


Messrs. Gales d Sedton You have
as all the world knows, some curious
scenes in Washington but think that
of the last twenty -four hours goes lit
tie beyond your ordnar," as douce Davy
Deans would probably have said. The
Treasury Note Bill having been four days
before the House, the measure being a
favorite one, the necessity for some relief
to the Treasury imminent, and the major
ity of the House possessing the power to
pass it, they seem to have come to the de-
termination, in Congress onal phrase, to
4 sit out the BILL" Accordingly, when the
usual hour of adjournment arrived, gentle.
men occupying the floor in opposition hav
ing repeatedly given way for a motion to
adjourn, that motion was always promptly
negatived lights were brought into the
Hall-the messengers were seen trimming
the lamps-members were returning from
the refectory-and the usual indications
were given of night session. Some Of
the elder and feebler gentlemen of the
House were seen taking their cloaks and
and hats, and, from simultaneous move
ments among those known TO be ofoppo-
site sides in politics, it was known that
many had agreed "to pair off" as 1t is
termed, leaving the political balance an e.
quation of still the same value as it would
be should they remain. Now might you
see party leaders in bye-corners, in short
but earnest consultation then you might
trace the adjutants gliding among the
seats, and apparently conveying intima-
| tons Of concerted movement. and now
the speeches having closed, the two armies
ceased to maneuvre, and came to the pas
de charge: in home!ier phrase, they cleft
off quarrelling, and came to fighting. -
Yeas and naysI'' yeas and nays !"
resounded through the Hall whenever a
motion was made to adjourn; and it was
presently found that, while the majority
was heavy on the one side, viz. not to adj
journ, the minority became so very small
on the other that their united votes failed
to make up quorum; ard from the very
significant tone in which the words ''count
the negatives" were uttered, the Admin
istration members became conscious that
their adversaries had fallen on a de.
vice which, if persisted in, would Illustrate
the power oftheir own numbers, decided
as was their majority. Their leaders
now looked like hounds who, from full cry,
suddenly find themselves at fault, and run
about in all directions smelling for the lost
scent. The House being in Committee of
the Whole, whenever they found no quo
rum voting, were obliged, by the parla'
mentary usage, TO rise and report that fact
to the House. When this was done, and
the House was again in session as a House
behold a quorum instantly appeared and
/ then, by the same law, they we're obliged
to return into committee again. This hap
pened so often that at length gentlemen of
the administration side became irritaied,
demonstrated, demanded that members
should be counted in their seats, whether
they had voted or no, and at length came
to Insist that individuals, by name, be com
PEELED to vote. Such motion having
been made in one case, voice crie1 out
in the confusion of sounds which filled the
Chamber, How are you gong to do itP
and the query was succeeded by shouts d
laughter, mingled with sounds of vexation
Ii was curious TO watch the various effects
produced by the scene on different ANNA
and mental temperaments. Some yawn
ed fearfully, (for it was now growing to
ward midnight; J others cursed and swore
others shook their sides with merriment
others reasoned and demonstrated witt
their neighbors; some very composedly
stretched themselves upon the sofas, hav-
ing first borrowed chalr-cushions enough
to support their somnolent heads; Others
biv )uacked on three CHAIRS, while some
not finding other convenient couch, stretch
ed themselves fiat on the floor of the
House, with perhaps volume of the laws
of the United States as their pillow
I" Wake me when the vote comes, won
you ?" cries one. "Oh, come" says q
more pacific spirit, "come, come it's nc
use to play this game any longer; let's
give it up" "Give it upq" answers his
more fiery fried; "give up? Never. IT
sit here till tomorrow night first I'll 81
here month before III give up to these
cursed Wings" "A month % exclaim.
a still more chiyalrous gentleman from {
seat near by I'll sit here to all eternity
but we'll get the bill out ofcommittee. -
But I've had no dinner" "D-n the
dinner; who cares for dinner? let's have
the BILL" "Well," sighs forth a eorpu
lent member. " believe III 90 down tt
Petitioners, and get something 10 eat. -
/" Mr. Chairman" now cries a shrill voic,
from the centre of the Hall, " is ii in or
der for gentlemen to vote to keep US here
in committee all night, While they are ly
} ing on the floor going to sleep? Here arr
two ofthem, sir, lying kicking about OF
the foor-is it in order, Mr. Chairman p
Then came calls of the House; and, while
the worndown Clerk was shouting out The
names on the roll, some were holding col
loquies and telling good stories in the lob
: by; while the little messenger boys, the
mercuries ofthe House, were chasing eacl
} other round the huge marble pillars, ant
throwing paper balls at their comrades
, As sat gazing on this very curious scene
was startled by rich, melodous voic,
at my ear, carolling up, in the sweetest
notes, the lines
Oh, there's not in the wild world a val
ley so sweet
As the vale of Avoco, where the wild wa
tiers meet.
The sound proceeded from a membe
) IF nnrflv fiuurn from tho Norfhaacfar,