Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-12-30
WAsHINGToN, Dec. Is, 1S47.
Gof..xl.., .,.~IFN


Editors Of the Indiana State Sentinel DEAR CHARS
We have had some few clear frosty nights, and
pretty fair moonshne, but clouds of gloom have rest
ed every day of this month in the region of the
CapltO or, as Mr.. Clay has it, "the weather is I'M
settled and uncertain" And so it is yet with all the
specializing here the subject of the war. These
honorable gentlemen have spoken-all democrats-as
the reports will acquaint you before you this.
We have Mr.. Dickinson from the north, in favor of
the annexation of territory on the basis of The admin
istration policy; and we have Mr.. Calhoun and Mr..
Holmes from the south, opposed to it. But these lat
ter, while they seem to act on the platform of Old
Palo Alto, really looking earnestly to the tr-
umph and extension of our institutions and laws over
much contiguous territory" any body else.
Railroads, and printing and preaching to do
the work of conquest for them; and don't know but
out OF their propositions there may be developed the
right at last The Wmot Proviso democrats will
easily into their lead, and the wings won't OBJ
ject, IT they can first manage the game as to seem
appear themselves have been the originators of
the proposition
The House of Representatives have been in session
every working lay of the week. and to-day adopted
for their the rules of the last session. with
4 few mod fcatlOns, such as the privilege of men,
bers TO speak either from their places, from some
point the Speakers chair; and prohibition, that
the Speaker shall not entertain motion to suspend
The rules, except during the last ten days of the
sion, and OH Mondays of each week throughout. The
hour rule (the 33d) is retained
The original report of the select committee rules
determined against the hour rule, and threw il out
altogether but they had leave subsequently to
amend their report to insert the rule with modf-
catOn, making it an hour and half rule. But after
debate, the words sand a half" were stricken out,
and the original rule adopted. Messrs. Henley,
R0ckhill and Wick, of your State, appeared in favor
of the rule and Caleb Smith opposed it-wiih sundry
speakers chiefly wings, from Ohio, Pennsylvania and
Vermont.
In this debate, perceive that Judge Wick has been
incorrectly reported in the Union of this night. A
few sentences, evidently derived from fra re-
poters memory, makes the Judge to oppose the adop
ton of the hour rule; whereas he spoke distinctly
and for some time in JaUor Of IT. urging its adoption
from the consideration, that without its restraint,
those 'capable of making the best imaginable kind of
speeches." being best known 10 the Speaker, would
Immediately attain to a sort of monopoly of the floor.
He supported the rule, and advised the members
ito 60 for it, if they desired intended to make
speech there-and extending his remarks, he showed
the good effect of the rule in its operation not only
the advantage of members collectively, but the
advantage of their constituents at largc-insistng
that SHE people generally read the speech of their
immediate representative with favor respect and
satisfaction than the speech Of much greater man,
whom they know nothing about" ID.