The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-01-25
PO 5 II s T. X / p Il.
Washington.
lCorrespondenee Of the Herald-l

The Senate-supreme C0urt-Col Webb Of
the Irregular Army"
The general impressisn is that the BANKRUPT Law
is safe for the present session. at least The oppo
nents Of the law admit the probability OF the defeat
of the repeal bill in the Senate. The vote will be a
very close one, but on the present computation Of
probabilities and contingencies, there will be ma
jorty against it. Still there is some doubt hanging
the matter. II instructions from the legislature
of Maine or Indiana, should reach here before the
question is disposed Of the bill may pass, and then
the unfortunate persons who hope to be relieved by
it must depend upon the President
The proceedings in the House to-day have been
dsordery and tumultuous to degree that has rarely
been equalled. The scene was humiliating to the
spectators, degrading to the country and disgrace
full to the National Legislature. The pencil of Ho-
garth could hardly paint the picture in coors suiii-
GENTLY vivid to convey to the people just notion
of the revolving spectacle presented in the worst
pect of the day. vast deal Of breath and wit has
been expended in proclaiming the necessity of re-
form in every branch fthe government, and it is
not to be doubted that reform, deep, general search
ing and thorough 10 indispensable, but it should be-
gin with Congress. Abuses there are open, mani
fest, palpable. Every. body sees them-all admit
is taken to correct or rePress them. The Rump
Parliament. when Cromwell dispersed the body
by force, was not more useless, more incapable,
more factious, or more turbulent. The most
misce laneous and comprehensive primary
semblage of sans cuQottes was never more regard.
less, not merely Of propriety and decorum, but Of
ordinary decency. The tendency of every thing
seems to be to unseemy disorder and riotousness-
We gravitatng downwards with fearful CELEBRITY,
and no man can tell where it is to end. What is the
cause. Is there some inherent and fundamental
error in our system, or is the difficult transient, and
to be ascrbed to the constitution organization OF
the body 1t would be presumptuous. perhaps, TO
undertake to solace the problem; but one thing is
certain-there must be speedy and radical change
in the mode OF conducting the business OF the House
of Representatives, or the Congress of the United
States will become bye-word for the reproach and
scorn of the whole people.
After witnessing the turmoil, and. noise, and up
roar Of the House, it is pleasure to listen to the
decorous, able and instructive debates Of the Senate.
Ne deliberative body can be more grave and digni-
fed. Mr.. Southland has no peculiar qualifications
presiding officer, but general is the feeling Of
self.respect, so elevated the official bearing of the
Senators, that even poor old Colonel Johnson, who
never had clear notion on any subject presented
to his mind, and who knew no more about order,
speaking legisatively, than man born blind knows
of sky blue, could not produce confusion or disorder
in the proceedings of the body
The galleries Of both houses are thronged with
spectators every day To the House they go to see
the fun-and fun it is to those who do not reflect
upon the disgrace which such scenes bring upon the
institutions and character of the nation. Sport Of
the same kind bat inferior in degree, be enjoyed
at circussport it may be, to the lockers on but it
is death to the responsibility of the government.
The Supreme Court is popular and instructive
place of resort to strangers visiting the seat of gov
erament The nine judges, in their robes of Office.
present very imposing appearance, apart from the
associations connected with the most exalted legal
tribunal of the land In the centre sits Chief Justice
fancy, tall, spare man, with strikingly inteec.
tual countenance-a urst of profound requirements,
arge experience, endowments Of the highest order.
great independence Of character, and of integrity
unquestioned. On his right is Judge Story, OF Mas
sachusetts, one of the mos: learned men on the
bench Judge Story had paroxysm of democracy
in his younger days, but association with Judge
Marshall and The other great men of the court, soon
corrected his erroneous prepossessons and he is
federal enough for all the purposes contemplated in
the organization OF the Supreme Court. Next to
the Chief Justice on the left is Justice Thompson of
New York, the beau ideal Of Judge, thin and
spare almost TO emacaton-strictly legal in all his
tastes and pursuts-of great acumen-auick, ap-
prehensve mind-skilful Judge in weighing the ar
guments Of counsel, with powers Of discrimination
analysis aud generalization ,unsui passed. Altoge
Their, Judge Thompson is a bright ornament Of the
ustrious tribunal whose decisions have contributed
so much to give stability to the government by its
luminous expositions of the constitution. Next on
the right of Judge Story sits Judge Mclean Of
Ohio, formerly Postmaster General-a stately fine
looking man, with clear head and strong mind
we'll qualified for the place. He has once been no.
minated for the Presidency, and has hopes of reach
ing the Executive chair, il he lives long enough
Judge Baldwin Of Pennsylvania sits next to Judge
Thompson. Probably MOI man on the bench has
more logical mind, or masters subject with
greater facility and understands il more thoroughly
Judge Baldwin was a long time in Congress-
where he was much distinguished Judge Wayne
of Georgia, has a seat next TO Judge Mclean
He is the handsomest man the bench. On
his right is Judge Mckinley, of Alabama, plain
unpreiending gentleman, who says little, but
thinks Fgreat deal. Judge Catran, of Tennes-
see, has a seat next to Judge Baldwin on the
left, and Judge Daniel of Virginia, his neghbor,
completes the Court. Each of these gentlemen
was respectable in his own State, but neither had
acquired that national reputation, which, aside
from party considerations, would have led to his
lection for post so exalted.
The distinguished legal abilities in the lard,
arc daily engaged in this court. Mr.. Legare, the
Attorney General, made his debut few days since.
Mr.. Legare is a lawyer of great eminence, as well
as scholar Of extensive and varied requirements
1t has been said Of him, that his information is
always affiuent-his address always dgnified and
gentlemanly-ample illustrations supplied by the
observation OF genius. the reading Of diligent
years, the experience Of life, office and society, are
ready at his command. His fueney is extraordinary,
but not more so than his taste is cultivated The dsy