The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-04-05

The following letter was addressed to the
Editor Of tho Waterman by resident al
Washington, believed to be familiar with
the labors of Members of Congress, and the
manner in which they are performed. The
talents and abilities of or distinguished
townsman are too well known in Vermont
to need any praise from abroad. But from
this letter we are gratifed TO find that they
ore equaled only by his assiduous applica.
ton and unyielding industry in dischargiug
the less snowy, Gu: more useful duties of his
station. His political course we have care
fully watched, and in no instance have we
discovered the least tagging from tina: IN.
bending integrity which marks the genuine
whig.
While saying thus much in relation TO
Judge Phelps we are BY no means unmind-
full Of the distinguished merits of sew erul
other Members of tho Vermont delegation.
No State in the Union in proportion to their
numbers, furnished more truly able and
useful representation in Congress Than our
owr.
That The tariff has been placed upon its
present favorable footing by the addition of
3 cents per pound on wool, is chiefly attrib-
utable TO lie untireing and successful efforts
Of The wbig delegation from Vermont. To
measure Members Of Congress by their
frolhy declarations gushing cut upon every
occasion is 10 square them by standard
which the enlightened people of Vermont
have long since learnt TO condemn. Indeed
/ they hive ever regarded these lowering har-
ranguers as the pests of legislation. Too
weak and inefficient themselves 10 mature
any sa!uiary MEASURE, they are constantly
impeding The labors OF others BY brainless
pratie in the House. Here. regardless of
the question under conside ration they too
often deliver themselves of a nauseaiing
compound of party trash for effect among
d tutii SohotituCutSy VI lOi ttc ubOnCb pun
pose of defeating enactments by their end.
less loquaci;y Hence The floor Of Con.
gross has not unfrequen'ly been converted
into an arena of political gladiaIion, carried
on by bullying and blackguardism equally
disgraceful 10 the performers, ard the body
10 which they belong. This course Of pro.
cecding commenced soon after the Access
sion of General Jackson 10 the Presidential
chair. when The wings came into power,
/ 10 such an extent had il been carried by the
self.styled democracy, who were generally
the agressors, that Congress was compelled
TO adopt aud continue tie one hour rule so
offensive 10 gentlemen whose tongues are
necessarily wugging. In what we have
said, however, lie, US not be supposed 10 in
cIude those noble and patriotic Members Of
Congress whose industry and application
in Committee rooms are seconded by their
powerful eloquence on the floor 10 bring
their labors 10 a successful issue, and anoth.
er numerous and useful class who never
speak but TO the point under consideration.
If such men alone occupied The seats Of leg
islaiIon, tho business of Ike nation would be
speedily done up, and tho country would be
far more likely 10 BIZ free, prosperous and
happy.
! WASHINGTON. March 2lst, lS43.
Among The members of the L. S. Senate
with whom it was my good fortune to be-
come acquainted, during The last Congress,
IS your estimablc Senator, JUDGE PHELPS.
From my long residence in Washington
and my frequent intercourse with the men,
bers of both Houses, have been enabled
to form pretty just estimate of the intel
lectual calibre, qualifications and powers OF
those who have been sent to represent the
interests of the people in both branches of
the National legislature. A mans con-
stituents are too apt TO form a judgment of
his influence and usefulness by the number
of speeches he makes, or the resolutions and
motions he may submit. But this is very
imperfect criterIon,a and is far from proving a
members usefulness. No man on the floor
of Congress had a higher reputation for
parliamentary oratory than John Randolph
of Roranoke, but certainly no man was ev-
er more useless. During his whole Con-
grcssional career, he was never, believe,
known to originate single measure, and
as member of Committee, was wholly
inefficient. Henry A. Wise knows the ad.
vantage of keeping ones name constantly
before the public, and he carries this prac-
tice in the House ad nanseam. The most
, useful and efficient members are those who
: address either House but seldom, and then
from absolute necessity, and when they
know they can she'd some new light on the
subject aud effect some great object by their
eloquence. OF this class is Mr.. Phelps
Uo nayar ,dd,osroo tho Snpafa htt when