Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-01-25
For the Specfnt0r,
RICHMOND, JAN. 16, 1854:

the geography of the Commonwealth, ant
get acquainted with ohe another. These
duties, they have applied themselves to
with commendable diligencea in which
they have been greatly aided By very
good outline map constructed for their spe'
fcial use BY the "Board Of Public Works,
and by neat area plat of the Hall of Del:
egates, showing the desks of the severa
members, from the Lithograph Press Of the
enterprising Donavsnt & RICHES. The map
l regret to see, was published in Philadel.
phia. Besides this, they have laid out an
amount of business which, even this Legis.
iature Of youEg men will not be likely tc
dispose of in such lifetime. s
1t is amusing to an outsider, who knows
something Of legislation as lobby y;member
to look on and see the c6nvoldtloHs ol
notes in the -beam-how
|"Upward and downward; thwarting & convolyed
The quivefihg members spott"A
the meeting and paftiig Of the Iobbies and
the regulars, the shaking Of hands and in
vitations to oystet suppers-to say nothing
more in contempt Of the "Maine liquor
law" the party causussesi the sectional
splits and subdivisions, the tyou help me
and I'll help you," the "gatige" 6f the dal.
w speeches, conservative of the track and
the State lines, the bold assertions of one
day, followed up andmodiied by hesItationi
explanation. perhaps retraction the next
| say it is amusing to demure outsider,
who dares not laugh, except in his sleeve
to look on and see the moves, the marching
and countermarching the tstand stllP' and
"go- all ,ad" man9uvres on this political
chess-board. Such is politics.
Yet it has its moraI-and there is sound
morality in our free enquiry, free discus
sion and republican form of legislation
Who ever doubted the morality of "log-
rolling p "You help me and l will help
you' is a social necessity The small far
mer helps the large farmer on his ample
grounds and the large farmer helps the
small farmer on his stinted acres. 1t is like
the principle Of compensation In nature,
and better certainly to the weaker party
than emo turkey" Besides sthe thing has
got to be dohe,' and | can now write the
history of the next six weeks Of the Vir-
ginia Legislature, and the ''thirty days" af-
forwards. What has beer ,oiH be, with
slight variations, viz-the hearing of the
speeches that were written and committed
to memory last summer, aflcr the election.
The Legislature will come up plumpt to the
expiration Of the 'ninety days" with moth:
ing done except the beginning. They will
then write to Gov. Johnson the following
laconic argument, compelled to return to
their logicE"Dimidium facti qui cGpit ha-
bet" and will ask reprieve from political
execution by the law for thirty days. The
Governor, who understands Latin as we'll as
logic, will exercise his clemency,& the mem
bers will come 10 their senses. With their
constituents now staring them in the face,
they will 60 manfully to work and do what
they can, ,N5efore "April FOOLS day" they
will pass all the appropriation bills for in,
ternal improvement, only ten millions, and
draw their milage ON the return Track
You may publish this now, or on the full
filment of the prophecy. ".Nous uerrons."
But far be 1t from me, Messrs Editors,
to speak other than respectfully OF the Le-
gislature of Virginia-especially as they
have always treated me civilly, and | may
have something to ask of them yet, or, at
least to give them some good advice, which
is even now in my heart. / truly and hon.
estly believe they will compare favorably
with other men, gentlemen, legislators
And think the honor and interests OF the
GOOD old Commonwealth are safe IN their
bands-democrats as they are. But | have
little advice to give. them now which,
in TRUTHS the object for which / first ad-
dressed "Messrs Editors at the beginning
of this introduction. Now to the point, and
if have accomplished the "first art OF the
orator"-to conciiiate my hearers (readers)
then "hear me for my causs."
have no objection to most of the appro'
priations reported, and to be reported. foI
Internal improvements. We are rich e.
nough to take it all. IF any doubt it, the
Improvements themselves will make US rich
enough. If not, we have only topass the
"Maine liquor la#," and save enough in
that way, to do it. If not, then the liquor
itself will make US feel rich, and then we
can do it, No one doubts the real ability
of the "0ld Dpminion' we only want
"tbe sieam." But realities apart-for
consider all that settled-I have another
little economy to broacb, more doubtful, l
fear, of favor And that must be introduc-
ed by the argument. Having little business
with one of tie committees, attended at
the capital, and at the hour appointed got
sight Of the chairman, man OF business
and quick motions. AS he shot across the
gallery Of the ,fotdnda-(t is square, be-
lieve) I called ID him to know where the
committee were sitting. "No %here-we
have no where to Sit am looking for
place." and he disappeared. l kept my
position and found that several other chalr'
men, instead of sitting in their chairs, were
on the same pursuit Before the regular
hour Of meeting for the House, | found my
committee-such of them as could then be
found-ir the Governors room, which he
had temporarily vacated, with time only
to meet and adjourn. The next morning
the same scene recurred "only little more
So" and an hour was finally obtained in a
smoky appurtehahce 10 the Auditors Of
fee. Here was dignified committee, IN
the best sense of the term, one OF the most
important in the Legislature. hunting day
after day for place to su. What can be
Matched from such sizing? No Slrs-we
need STATE HOUSE. ''
We need State House, as an economy.
Half a million of dollars will build a new
STATE House. We are not accommodated
in this. But if you want an economical
economy here it is. Knock out the North
end of the present straight-laced piece Of
architecture, and add twenty feet in length,
and pillared portico, to correspond with
the South end. This will give you legis-
Ilatiye Hall large enough for the lower
House, which the present Hall does moi