The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-02-03
nditorial cotrsahonaanoe !
CoLUMBUs, Jan. %. l85'

LEAR DIR '-Mnndler and dlrtler streets
than a pedestrian was forced to encounter in
the Queen City on Tuesday forenoon are sell
dom to be found in any place Of half her pre-
tensions. Those of our City, that is to be,
are greatly their superior and the only re-
deeming consideration was, that below the
mud there was pretty solid bottom.
AT half past two, the iron horse gave
snort and started off in his headlong career,
drawing after him several comfortable rooms
filed with men, women and children. The
new 7 rail- is laid o nearly all the road to
Xenia, and its superiority to the old flat rail
is SO apparent, that it is noticed the mo-
ment'a a transition is made from one to the
other. There are trains now leaving Gin
cinnati daily. One at II A. M, another at
6 A. M, and another at 81 P. NJ. The dis
lance from Cincinnati to Xenia is 81 miles.
About half past six, or just at dusk, we
changed cars at Xenia, and went whirling
over one of the straightest, and most level
roads in the country at the rate of nearly 80
miles an hour. The distance to Ffanklinton
is 81 miles, making the whole distance from
Cincinnati lis miles, much regretted that
| could not have passed over this end of the
road in day light.
Columbus is seldom more crowded than It
was last night. The American was running
over, there wasn't spare bed at the Neil
House, the Capitol was slowed full, and
even my old friend, Father Russell, was com
relled to refuse some dozen or more of us a
place in his hospitable mansion. With my
carpet bag in hand took straight chute
for the Buckeye, where ! managed to make al
lodgment for the night. To-day my old
friend Russell, furnished me comfortable
room, where | am now located. under the
same roof with our Senator and sundry other
Honorables, besides divers who though no
Honorables, are by no manner of means Dis
honorables.
Yesterday it was warm and rainy. A very
suden change took place during the night,
and to day it has been cold and clustering
with occasional falls of snow. have been
shaking hands to-day with numerous old ac-
quaintances from all parts of our large and
growing State, who are attracted to the capi-
tol during the winter by various influences of
which it is sort of center.
Nothing of consequence hasbeen done to-day
in the Legislature. 1t is curious to see how
the time Of this body is fritered away in do
ing comparatively nothing. They do not
meet till 9 in the morning, quit at about l2,
meet again at in the afternoon and adjourn
at dark AS they are together so short time,
one would suppose, that business would
then be urged forward; but instead Of that,
a good part of the few hours they are in
session, is spent in windy speeches, full of
words but empty of useful application, in
personal alteration, & frivolous parliamen-
tary tactics. Our own members, am happy
to say, have none of their sins to answer for,
and their influence is none the less on that
account. Local legislation occupies all the
time. and it is said that there have been
about three lobbies here to each member dul-
ring the whole winter. The only way they
can get off before next May is TO leave half
the business undone.
Tomorrow comes on the great contest Of
the Session. Nobody seems to have any
knowledge how it will terminate, nor does
there appear to be much excitement. The
most common opinion is, that there will be
no Senator elected. A very general disincli-
nation and even determination seems to pre-
vail with the two great parties, against any
bargains with the free soil faction. 1t is to
be hoped this may continue to be the case
Shall be able to speak more definitely to-mor
ow evening. Yours, G.