Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-03-31
SOMETHING RICH.

Didn't We shake our sides on perusing the fol-
lowing history Of a species Of extra legislat:ons
ut is about the funniest affair that has lately scome
of,"-even in these funny days when half tho
world seems to have run mad
lNDIANAPoLIs, JAN. 9, IS42-New Years dav
was day Of nvelry and merriment i'm the House.
Old Townsend, Of Hendricks county, introduced
his famous 'relief bill'' into that body few DAYS
ago. Yesterday being day Of frsiivity all over
the world, and as most Of The members thought
the House, like the Senate, should have adjourn.
ed over 70 Monday, member called up the ia.
nous relief bill alluded to, an appropriate hol.
liday amusement, and it was accordingly read by
the clerk amidst peals Of laughter. II proposes.
among a dozen other incongruities, an issue of
S3,O0O,O0O Of treasury notes, based upon the
Brooklyn Soap Factory, the Morns canal debt.
the Florida Alligator Swamp property, &c. to BE-
loaned TO the people Of Indiana, on a credit of
i've years Ito aid them in paying their debts."-
No sooner was the reading through with, than
several members rose to move quizzicaI amend
ments but the great protector of the scheme
being on his legs, caught the eye of the chair.
MIR. CogswelI) and commenced speech, which.
Tor every thing that constitutes the ludicrous i'm
ldea' the incongruous in language and pronuncia.
ucn' ahd inc zeal pathos in eloquence, beat any
Thing ever delivered in the halls of Legislation.
Having taken his seat amid the conSratulation.
oi those around him, member, Mr.. D., moved to
amend the bill, by "depriving the constituents Of
every member who should vote against it, of the
benefits resulting from the same," which amend.
n n;ens was inmed'a,el, accepted by the memora-
ole hnancier, as most happy thought, and was,
OF course, adopted by the House. Mr. C. Then
moved to strike out the word .sloan'' wbcrevcr !,
occurred, and insert "take;' anG further 10 ..nak.
the duty OF the different county courts to obtain
supply Of treasury notes, and invite the ctizene
one and all, to come to the county treasures and
heP themselves to as much of the same as thew
migh. think necessary to pay each of their debts.
ana ('n case the five millions should prove made.
daa!e 10 the ohject,) authorizing the treasurer of
the state to issue as many more millions 40 h.
might deem necessary TO the entire liouida,io, or
! n oeo's OF the people: provided however. thar
II any one take more than is necessary he shaII
pay on conviction thereof double the amonn, of
The SUN SO taken." W
AZ the suggestion Of a member, Mr.. T.. on,o.oa
this amendment, as going little too "a, IA y"
oe'hg rainier calculated to defeat than aid the mas.
SaSe oi the great measure Of relief. Amendment,
".'er amendment was th,n offered in rapid success
sion. all OF udicrous character, which kent tho
Wv ,en1w !" STATE of the most fidgetty excite.
ment' alternately addressing their movers or Tho
chair In tones OF acquiescence or Gisapproba,;on
q: 'hey happened to suit run counter Tn his
views. He opposed the taking of the ayes and
noes on an amendment. as ''nnconsti,utional,, as
=" uiu proposition .authorizing the doorkeeper
or'ng IN basket of brickbats, to aid the sneak
or In Keeping order during the pendencv of that
miraculous and exciting billy" A member ,ben
rose and observed, that as the Senate was mn, H.,
session. and most of its members were then in
,ne loonies OF the House, all the Senators present
oe invited to seats on the floor, with full nowars
10 participate in the discussion, and 10 aid The
rouse In percc,lng and maturing the bill. This
happy thought had most electrical effect on the
1endrlcks hnancier. The intense anxiety pictured
ON ~, ms coun'enance during the former progress of
the bill, now frightened up in the most sanouine
smiles OF appreciation, and he hailed the propos;.
non by cries of "Agrced consent! consentr,
ceiaPping his hands and beating the Garnet with
MS iee'' and giving every demonstration of the
most eAtravagant joy at the accession of a bodv
so favorable to his views, as the senators we,.
''reported" tobe "eio
One OF the Senators was then called ~ Tho
chair 10 assist the chairman of the House in Keen
| ing order. Alter having been conducted IN tie
.""n WI" I'LL due iormality, he returned thanks
to the House in an address which, for annos,,e-
ness VIII and humor. was hard to beat, and which
| caused the dome of the capitol to reyerbera,a
with the peals of laughter and applause ,ha, fol.
lowed its delivery.
during the administration of the two chairmen,
great many amusing amendments were ofI;reJ
anu rejected. One providing for the allowance of
graiuity of $500 each to the members w.
might support the bill, excited the Indignant, elm.
queHce oil The author of the bill, who, before the
amendment half read, halIoed nm, n, ,ho w.. e
oil MS voice, "bribery and corrpp,ion.'' When
ever an amendment was offered the new cb,;r-
man put me question In manner perfectly copso-
nant with MIR. Townsend's views of the Ie, ,,o.
hameniaria, and something after this fashion
uentlemen, you have heard the amendment
Just ohered-does iae gentleman from Hendricks
accept the same!'' Whether he answered arr.
mativtly or negatively, tile chair woud say.
me gentleman from Hendricks having accepted
or rejected as the case may bel the amendment.
IL is accordingly Tor is notl adoptcdn'
Duhng The progress Of the bill in the commit :.
zee, II would take the pencil of Hogar,b. and \
. IN! descriptive powers Of Dickens, 10 do ius.
nee 10 'he.udlcrons appearance Of the venerable
legislator. Whilst all around him were shat;nn
'htir sides with laughter, the most intense anxie,
~ was pictured on his countenance. his bonde
and ieet were in constant motion, and the pron;n.
quIy between his very sharp chin and aauiiine
nose couid De seen either lesseBing or expanding.
as he alternately frowned down or smiled unen
various amendments of his Legislative coleaguss
when at length the bill was read third i'm.
and passed, he became perfectly TRANSPORTED viii
Joy, capped his hands and beat the floor with hi.
,ee'. The House got into perfect uproar ~
laughter, and such shaking Of hands. sncb oree,.
ihgs and congratulations were never before VII
messed as took place between Mr.. II. and snch &c
Inc members as were fortunate enouuh 20 49,. =
within his reach. Cesar, when he had crosss5
,ne fubicon-A!exander, when he crossed tho
Granlcus-or Napoleon, when he returned n IL
Belle France, after his exile at Elba. were moi r
care say, one whit happier than Mr.. Townsend
u Hie coun'enance is any indication of the inward
workings Of the heart. '""''u
49, Inc TWO chaiTn,en haviDg abdicated NJ