Washington sentinel., 1855-03-07
goeal ann pfrsoual.
Congressional oratorical sport.--Ear'y !

Congressional OratOrical Sport.--Eary OF
Sunday morning the House OF Representatives
finding itself without quorum, ordered call, q
procure a large attendance of members. The
doors were closed, while the Sergeant-at-arm
was darlng, half asleep, into hotels and boarding
houses, for the purpose OF informing snoozine
manded. There was no quorum, and, OF course
no proposition could be legilimately entertained
by the House; but, 10 relieve the tedium, the oc
cupani Of the chair (Mr. Hbbard) permitted the
members 10 indulge in little sport, Of which The
following will serve as an example, written from
rough notes, taken at the time, 10 serve IN the
absence of matters of more interest, for future
local item
Mr.. BreckinriJge reminded the members that
three hours had eapsr since the main question
was ordered on the Know-nothing bili-namely 10
prevent the importation OF foreign criminals, pau
pers, the blind, and the insane.
Mr.. Letcher, Qoudly) Would il not be in
ter, so loud as 10 wake from their maps several
gentlemen asleep with their heads resting on their
desks,)
The Chair (arousing himself from the doze into
which he had fallen.) think not.
Mr.. Mike Walsh, (standng in the area front.
il would be in order 10 have whisky punches
brought in! [Laushter.l
The Chair (serously.) / have no more dis
crelion over the subject than the gentleman.
Mr. Fuller. | have, with much labor, pre-.
pared speech on the navigation laws, which
ask leave 10 have printed. IA Voice: There
are several fellows "half seas over" Ha ha.
Mr.. Wentworth, ofliIinois. Read your speech
II it's good, I'll agree il not, won't.
Mr.. Fuller. lfyou can't take il on trust, donl
care.
Mr.. Wentworth. Well, I'll take il on trust.
Mr.. Chandler. We've got the door tiled, sir,
and therefore can't get refreshments.
Mr.. Pratt. want 10 know whether il would
be in order 10 direct the servants to bring in break
fast
A Voice: Send Pratt a buiscuit." Ha ha!
Mr.. Pratt. I'm hungry. Many voices, in sue.
cession 8 So am L.
Mr.. Florence, Qaboring under severe hoarse
ness) Have gentlemen forgotten that this is the
Sabbath day. "a Voice g Let's have sermon
Colonel'l
Cries OF Order, order
Mr.. Florence, (elevatng his voice. II is said
in The good Book that for every idle word men
speak they will have TO give an account in the
day of judgment,
Mr.. Wentworth of Illinois. That's a poor ono.
tation.
MIR. Florence. But the sentiments true.
Mr.. Wentworth Would il bein order 10 move
tha, General Sam Houston be elected President
Of the United Stales2 Cries OF "Order,h and
s'good, I good.'D If so, make the motion, lMer
riment)
Mr.. Washburn, of Maine, Qaughingly)
moveto lay that motion on the table.
Mr.. Benson. | call Tor the yeas and nays.
Mr.. Knox. ! move TO take up "the aged
widows appeal"
The Chair said no notice could, al that time, be
taken Of any such proposition.
1.-THE aged widows appeal was 10 the mem
.bers 10 pass Senate bill 444 lying the Speakers
table for the relief OF Nancy D. Holkar, for flour
and provisions furnished the United States during
the Revolutionary war, by her husband, the Hon
John Hokar. :" She is now" The handbill stat ed
'over ninety years OF age, and If the debt, which
stands upon the treasury books, is ever 10 be paid
il should be now. Will not the House take il up
and pass it q
Mr. Smith, Of Tennessee, moved that the House
adjourn 10 the room of the Committee on the Pos
Office and Post Roads, (where, il was understood
refreshments had been prepared.)
MIR. Breckenridge SAID that, sometime ago, the
gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Letcher) who was
such "stIict constructionistp that he would no
vote for anything that was not perpendicular
(laughter,) got an increase of pension for one o
his constituents who had his arm shot of at tht
elbow in the military service OF the United States
If that was in order, he wished to know whether b,
could not procure an increase OF pension for DO,
Of his Mr. Breckinrdge's district. who had bis arm
shot of AT the shoulder joint, the battle of Bueni
Vista, and is incapable of supporting himself
(Laughter) We might as well employ our time
in thus way, as in any other.
A Voice: !" prefer the oiher3 Hai ha
Mr.. Knox. ] rise 10 a question Of order. ] had
moved consideration of the "aged widows ap
peal"
Mr.. Wentworth, of Illinois. Is she Breckin
ridges boys mother
Mr.. Letcber, in reply to Mr.. Breckinrdge, ant
in similar vein of good humor remarked he hac
never introduced n bad bill, and when he moved
a good one, il was sure 10 go through, as the
House had so much confidence in his judgment
aud integrity
Mr.. Breckinridge. Ifit was meritorious TO pro
cure the increase OF pension for one OF the gen
tlcmans constituents, who had his arm shot away
al the elbow, il would certainly be meritorious fol
me 10 get an increase of pension for my boy, who
had his arm sho, from his shoulder Mr.. Breck-
inridge, although in sport, spoke as II he were in
earnest, and this contributed 10 the humor OF the
occasion.
Mr.. Florence. | will agree TO that bill, provided
the gentleman will take up the one for the relic
of David Merle, (who has claim for hemp
coniract.) NJ. friend aud yself were at daegers
points on the Merle bill
Mr.. Breckinridge. apparently indignant, Ny
onearmed constituent may starve 10 death before
] will consent to I'd take up that bill Renewed
laughter.
Mr.. Wentworth, Of Illinois. Ill see Sam Hous
ton President before ! consent. fia ha
The running debate was here interrupted by
the announcement that the Sergeant-at-arms hac
arrived, bringing with him a dozen or more mem
brrs who had deserted their seats for the purpose
Of running TO their lodgings, and /" fixing them
selves for Sunday" TO "take nap" or 10 obtain
something 10 eat" as they severally declared
when they rendered their excuses.
Respectful ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS statedii
our paper of Sunday, that the reporters and cor