The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-04-26
Fancy Legislation In Boston.

In the Massachusetts House Of Representatives,
on the 18th, occurred that is worthy of be-
ing spread upon the journals 1t ltrepresens that
delightful variation in the life of statesman which
may be styled by-pley, or fancy legislation Its
novelty is something 10 begin WITH and it is
likely to be- initiated by many of tn. frogs in the
abolition pond it may be useful, as it is certainly
refreshing, to reproduce here picture of the fine
feelings prevalent among the sensible men of the
Massachusetts, Legislature. This scene puts to the
blush all the declarations of the disunion croakers
in the North, and the secessonists in the South,
who would like to have the abolition lines drawn
geographically.
Mr.. Curtis, of West Brookfeld, under leave,
presented the following petition and asked that it
be read:
To the Hon. Senate and House of Representatives of Mas
sdohHsstts, an General Court:
The petition Of DanieI Webster Gilbert, of West Brook
lurous name has ever been source of modification
e @ course IN pabc H. Of hat oa Of o Wbo%
the parents of your petitioner bestowed him the by
fore prayeth that he may be allowed to take the of De
VIII Gilbert thereby retaining the initials by which he is
Boston, April sth, 1851
Mr.. Curtis then moved the petition be referred
10 The Committee On Change OF Name
Mr.. Keith, Of Roxbury, was disposed to be gem
erous towards this petitioner. He moved that
"Daniei Webster Gilbert be allowed to take the
name of De Witt Gilbert" forthwith.
Mr. Kimba, Of Boston, said that the name
which the petitioner proposed to assume, was one
borne by the head of family in Rhode Island, or
%" somewhere else" who had got rich in the slave
trade. He was opposed to hasty legislation at all
times, and he was disposed to give Mr.. Gilbert time
10 select another name.
MIR. Bartlett, of Boston, said he regarded the pe-
ton an Irregular mode OF introducing into the
House degrading epithes in regard to the public
character of Mr.. Webster. He should oppose the
reception of the petition on the ground of being
couched in disrespectiul language. He moved
thar Mr.. Gilbert have leave to withdraw his peti-
tlon until he shall have 30 worded 1t as to com
port with the dignity of the House to receive it,
Mr. Curtis said the petitioner was young man
OF the highest respectability, and his petition was
made in good faith.
Mr., Fuller, of Boston, said that he agreed with
his colleague (Mr. BartetD in regrettng that any
person should so far forget the respect due to tht
House OF Representatives, to attempt to avail
himself OF the right of petition and for the mere
purpose of venting his spleen and malice ant
abusing distinguished man. Nevertheless h,
thought the petition should be received and re
ferred, in the usual manner. He felt some pitv
not of an unkind sort, for the petitioner, who ha,
80 long been afflicted and oppressed by so dstin
ruished a name-the evil the result not of hi
own imprudence, but the folly of his parents-an,
since it must be painful misfortune for a sma
man to be obliged to carry about, through life,
great name, he thought the petitioner should hav
the relief prayed for; and as to the name whlc
the petitioner desires to take, it did occur to hin
(Mr. Fuller that it was Objectionable; he did no
suppose, as his colleague (Mr. KimbalD did, tina
the petitioner proposed to take the name now be
longing TO any other man--he understood him t
ask leave to take fancy name, invented by him
self, and for himself" Dewitt" Now every per
son of classical learning, though moderately verse
in philoogy, would know that De Wit mean
without wit Ut is compound phrase, the d
is a particle privatve, and has the meanin
here in composition with another word, as it ha
IN other cases, very numerous in our languag,
We say man is demented, from De and mem
without mind This being the undoubted purpo
of the prayer of the unfortunate petitioner, he cou
not fail to commend his prudence and discretion
selecting so appropriate and suitable a name for a
individual who had found himself weighed dow
and incapable of bearing the which his too for
parents had hoped might Fl: him. He hoped ther,
fore, the petition would take the usual course, an
go to the Committee on Change of Names.
Mr.. Seaver, OF East Boston, said he was read
to grant this prayer OF the petitioner forwith, al
If there were any more "recreants of the san
sort " in the Commonwealth, he would grant the
similar favors. Let them come now.