Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-01-25
tCorrespondence Of the Free Press.l
Washington, Jan. IT, 1850.

)ne Jay our ears are sTeetcu WI" wy 'N~''J
ingling of seigh.bels, and on the next thick
boots, over.shoes and umbrellas are in active de-
mand. Sunday evening heavy fall OF sno"
coverod-complotely the ground, and on Monday
morning boys and men might be seen shoVehng
snow from the sidewalks. Tuesday the cola
was excessive. and the whole lace OF nature
covered with hard frost. Yesterday It was
milder and to-day it rans,--the melting snow
rendering it uncomfortable walking,
The fine seighing Of Monday calls up in the
mind of Green Mountain boy old associations.
Years ago. while living in my native village,
well do recollect the many glorious sleigh
rides the lads and asses enjoyed. Often on
clear frosty morning, parties of II to 80 couple
might be seen dressed in their S inday best, and
well wrapped in ovcrc coats, fur caps tippcts,
mitens and buffilo.robes, in handsomely built
sleighs, drawn by spirited horses, gliding swift
Y to the sound of the merry jinglng of bells
over the harI-trodden snow to a neighboring
village tavern to partakc Of a splendid dinner,
and afterwards, perhaps, hear some fine speech
u
spending few pleasant hours in plays and live
ly conversation, late in the evening, under the
bright moon or star light, each gentleman hands
his lady (and Vermont ladies you know, chal-
lenge the world for beauty into the sleigh and
after tucking up carefully the hullalo-robes,
drives off with glee, passing his time agreeaby
no doubt, in pleasant tcle d tete upon the brill
liant considerations that shone above them, or
(what is quite as probable) upon the happiness
of a lifc-he purson may tell the rest of the
story.
The IIouscis not yet organized, though near
~ seven weeks OF the session have elapsed
Three weeks were spent in the election of a
Speaker, and nearly three more in that of a
Clerk, and less than a week in tie election OF
Sergeant-at-Arms. The first was elected by
plurality vote, the second by majority vote,
Southern democrats voting for, because they
preferred a Shareholder, though Wing, 10 a
northern democrat, if tainted with free-soili,m.
Both Speaker and Clerk are Southern men and
owe their election to sectional southern feeling
The S,rrcant-al.armS is a rabid locofoco, and
though not regarded as much OF lFee'S""er'
yet is indebted Tor his election TO northern iFce-
soil votes.
To-luv, the House almost elected a Doo'-
keeper, in fact elected the prominent candidates
Of each Of the two parties and then defeated
them.
The facts are as follows: Ga the last billot
stewart the candidate Of the democratic party.
made Il very GOOD run, some southern whg-
voting for him, and there was a fir prospect o.
his election lhe principal c"hH'i'e OF u,
wing parry was aus '''"g" l'"'' ! INV
9''u '"''o'f OF les ""V" III WIZ" saw
Inai inc u'hncr''' t'h''o''e was III ''''
,''e' ~ "''' u ..r
WHY .,,.,:.. c.., =,
.,.i.,.l,i,,.,,
r,. Cr,.,. ,.,n ,,.,
.nannoI raaJ;n,, ,n,n,n,o, n.r.r h. was .,on
nod nv cries Of NJ. Sneaker. | wish to chanr
NV vn,o-lIilliarI. StppLcn, Morton and Cable
berc chanuoJ their votes 10 Stewart. At thi
moment half the members were On the ioo
and great anxiety prevailed throughout the Hal
TUFTS and his friends looked pale and dis
appointed. NJ. Schenck arose III the midst c
the excitement and SAID changes were mao
"s'i''' WI "''' aux "'''
'J'0''0''' "''0 '''D0 " "'' 'P0'"''S
Preston hIng wished TO hear Ills remarks, BIT
as they were not In order he was not above
to proceed,
FINALLY the cries Of NJ. Sneaker ceased n,
the Cl.rl, AGAIN baron the re,diur ot the name
Members ascer,aineI. while the names were b
ing read, Mr. Stewart had a clear minority
one or two, and before the encouragement W;
made several changed their votes from Stey
art to Wrirht. Ga the final announcement.
appeared there was no choice. Whole numb
. of votes cast POT, Of which number Tufts h;
90. and Stewart 81.
Tho charms or,;,s, Mr. T,ris woro ~