Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-13
1otal ann DersonaI.

Night sessionss-Both on Thursday and last
night the galleries Of the House Of Representa-
tives were crowded with spectators, including, as
usual, a large number of ladies. There was GER
tainly nothing interesting in the line of oratory,
the proceedings being confined 10 parliamentary
tactics, and the principal weapons employed were
the yeas and nays; the members doing scarcely
anything besides responding 10 their names, as
they were repeatedly called by the clerks, whose
bronchial apparatus, Judge by their intonations
has become seriously impaired.
Towards midnight, the spectators had nearly all
deserted the galleries, leaving the honorable gem
tlemen still engaged in their Improbable strug-
gle. Some of them, however, were unable 10
endure the physical fatigue, and either sought
temporary resting-places on the sofas in the
Hobbies, or the softer chamber accommodations
al their odings, During the entire night nearly
all of them, in turn, had stolen an hour or two
from the weighty yea and nay process by which
they were afflicted. When the light ofthe morn
ing peeped in, quorum Of them was not IN al
tendance and those who were nodding in their
seats, or fighting against kind nature to keep their
eyes open, looked as though they had left sick
couches and had tottered TO the hall 10 perform
patriotic service. drowsy scene, indeed, it was,
exciting none Of the admiration which we are
wont TO associate with attractions Of the legisla-
tive forum.
The Public Grounds.-The exceeding beauty
of the plants and flowers both on the grounds Of
the Presidents House and of the Capitol, leads
many an admirer of such vegetable products into
the temptation Of larceny. The law heretofore in
force provided only against the abuses of the
Stress and shrubbery,' and therefore the act of
plucking plants and flowers could not be visited
with punishment.
A citizen, several weeks ago, having seen
member Of Congress help himself without leave,
TO bouquet from garden-bed of the Capitol, fol-
lowed the example, against the remonstrances OF
one ofthe guards. The justice of the peace, VIII
liam Thompson, esq., before whom the case of
the last-named person was brought, correctly de-
cided according to the provisions of the law, that
he had no jurisdiction in the premises stated but
fined him for disorderly conduct on another charge
Since which time, however, the city councils have
passed the following law, which we publish for
the benefit of all concerned:
g Be IL enacted, &C., That any person who shall
wilfully pluck, injure, or destroy any plant or
flower in any Of the public grounds belonging TO
the United States within the city Of Washington,
shall, upon conviction thereof be fined sum not
less than two nor more than ten dollars" &C.
street Cleaning.-We notice that proposals
have been issued for cleaning the paved streets,
the paved cutters, and the paved alleys Of this city
from the first Of June next to the first Of April,
1855 The whole is 10 be cleaned at least once
every two weeks during the months Of June, July
August, and September. We are pleased with
this movement, in view of the public health, and
now hope that the garbage law will be strictly en-
forced and not suffered to remain, as it has ever
since the day fits passage, Several years ago.
dead letter on the statute.book.
Punctuality.-As a fair specimen of this vlr-
tue, we state that yesterday, at noon, the chap.
lain Rev. Henry Slicer, appeared in the House OF
Representatives 10 deliver the usual opening
prayer; but, unfortunately, there had been no ad-
journment. and, besides, the members generally
seemed TO be indisposed to enjoy his clerical minis
trations ut that precise period Of the parliamentary
proceedings.
. DR.. Levi will remain in this city to-day only.