The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-06-12
An amusing Scene in the New
York Legislature.

DIX LeSlSldJuPes
The Subterranean, Mike Walshs paper,
gives the following account of an amusing
interlude TO the grave duties of Legislation,
which occurred in the N. Y. Assembly few
days ago. it illustrates the absurdity of n
red headed mans doing violence to nature by
wearing black wig. 1t is said that Mike
Walsh, (who by the way appears to be use
ful as well rs ornamental member,) is an I'M
commonly grave joker.
ALBANY, April "a, 1647.
BY far the richest and most graphic scene
which has ever taken place in any Legislative
body, was that in which Mike Walsh and Bob
Watson figured as principal actors.
Bob Watson, who is n lawyer, represents the
CRY of Albany in the Legislature. He is
somewhat vain of his abilities and personal
appearance, though withal pretty clever
sort ofa fellow. His hair being,as he alleges,
rather thin, he concluded, some two weeks
since To get his head shaved, and ensconce
himself in wig, until n new and more Wig
orous, crop of the natural developed itself
That this was his sole and only object, how
ever, has been rendered somewhat doubtful,
Notwithstanding his profes sons to the con-
trary. 10y the form and color of the artificial
covering which he has selected.a temporal
ny shield, to preserve his bald kOb from the
llCIeIltUCN vi lIlt "GulItT, anu the INUeT
gaze of the thoughtless, vulgar and quizzical
rabble. His own hair was light sandy, and
perfectly straight; and the wig, WHICH flows
in a luxuriant proiusion of glossy ringlets, is
as black as the plume ola raven. BY this
you can easily judge how great was the alter
alton, produced in his personal appearance.
1t was very evident from the arch manner in
which Mike gagged him on his entrance,
that there was some fun in embryo, and ac-
cordingly the whole House was on the q,i
UiUe The House having resolved itself into
"Committee of the Whole" Mr. Blodgett,
ofGeneSee, in the Chair, tine suspense in
which all the members had sat during the
whole morning was suddenly broken by
Bob's rising in his seat, which is some dis
lance from that Of Mike, and bawling out,
at the top of his voice, "Mr Chairman,
rise, SIR, with the vi-i-iew of making few
brought to dead stand still by Mike, who.
Jumping up, exclaimed, with the most i'm
purturabe gravity, "Mr Chairman, rise to
a question oforder."
CHAIRMAN-(Scarcely able TO suppress
his laughter THE gentleman from New
York.
Nike Looking over at Bob, whom he
wildly scrutiniZed from head to foot with
great seeming amaZement, and considerable
indignation)-I would like to know, sir, by
what right individuals who are not members
of this House can be permitted to take part
in its debates; where, sir, are we TO stop, if
the floor of this House, with all the rights
of membership, is to be thus thrown open to
the public mt large?
At this, the whole House, galleries, mem
bers, officers, reporters Chairman, and in
short, all but Mike and Bob, were absolute
/, ,,,;, 1a,nbtar. loInh;nu
until the tears rolled down their cheeks.
Not the shadow ola smile, however, was to
be seen on the countenance of either of the
two actors i'm this most admirable farce.
Mikes eye, as he leaned over, rested stead
lily on Bob, and the latter gentleman seemed
perfectly paralyZed by the unexpected, and,
to him, inexplicable course matters had taken.
He seemed riveted to the spot, and remained
speechless. At length the Chair
man became sufficiently composed to drawl
out in very indistinct manner, that he was
''rather inclined to the belief that the gentle
man was a member"
MIKE-"Not having before had the pleas
ure ofseeing the gentleman, sir, would in
quire the Chairman at what time he pre-
scented his credentials, and what particular
section ofthe State he has the honor 10 rep
resent"
A second roar of laughter, impossible more
boisterous than the first, succeeded this in
quiry, and Bob, who is notorious for his cheek
and self complacency, seemed on the verge
of faintipg, when the Chairman announced
that che believed the gentleman was from
Albany"
MIKE-(with increased SURPRISE Albany?
thought MIR Watson represented Albany"
1t is utterly impossible to give even faint
idea of what followed; suffice it 10 say that
Bob sat down, Mike followed, and the whole
House reared until they almost fell helpless
under their desks, from the exhaustion pro-
duced by excessive mrth.