Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-15
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WASHlfGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Mr. Elihu 3. Washburn's Caucus-duly as
sembled in the House hall last night, accord
Ing to the programme announced by him to
the members Immediately after the adjourn
nent Of the House. His clever brother, Mr.
Israel Washburn, of Ne, was in the chair,
and notwithstanding the condition CT the
weather-raw and rainy-tbe attendance was
large, perhaps ninety members being present
AZ designed they were not all gentlemen who
swear by our friend GreeIey's old white coat
After deal of backing and filling, the ques-
ton was put on a motion to stand by Mr..
Banks TIL all is blue, and it was enthusiast
cally carried, three-fOurths voting for it, and
fourth against it. This was significantly
called giving Mr.. Pennington beans" by a
devoted admiTer of DR.. Greeleys system Of
practice. 1t was doubtless intended as sig
nifcant hint that though the Charleston Msr-
eary man does say that Mr.. Pennington is
essentially . good looking" he cant come
in. We met, coming from the caucus, one
who did not before know that he was sold
body and breeches" to Drs. Greeley, Weed
Co, as a regularly ''burked subject"
who was evidently in a mood to essay to break
from the straight jacket In which the adop-
ton Of the motion referred to had spancelled
him The hope of the spinaI-disease faculty
was that some OF the anti-BankS opposition
members who attended, would not be too wise
10 be caught in any such political trap.
But 1t seems they had all cut their eye
teeth. Mr. Pennington's friends, many Of
them, were obstreperous against the purpose
Of those who were most conspicuous in carry
ing out the commands Of Messrs Giddings and
Greeley. Even Mr.. Campbell, Of Ohio, al
ways very Independent man, is said to have
protested earnestly against the determination
OF the outsiders who are managing the can
yass on behalf Of the anti-sIavery cause, to
mould the action OF tho House to suit their
Own political purposes. We hear that as lie
was leaving the room before the caucus ad-
Journed, he gave them to understand that he
did not intend to submit TO having a ring in
serted in the cartilage Of his nose, with his
eyes open. Mr. Ball, too, is said to have
protested with indignant earnestness against
the rule Or-ruin spirit which Messrs. Giddings
and Greelcys managers manifested.
We fancy that The upshot of this glaring eff
fort to swear the whole northern opposition
on the GidIings bible, Will be considerably
diInlnisaed vote for Mr. Banks as Speaker, to-
day.
d Coed hcye.--We are glad TO learn that
some Of our most influential and respected
eitizenS have united together for the pur-
pose Of applying to Congress for an altera-
ton or modification Of existing election laws,
20 that the rights OF the people and the duties
% election officers may be properly understood
and appreciated. The manner III which things
were conducted at the last election in this
city should induce every good citizen to unite
IL this movement, for without the interposi-
ton Of Congress in the way Indicated, we
shall be most likely involved in all the hor-
rors of riot and bloodshed in our future NUM-
cipal contests.
We subjOin the petition now in circulation
90 that all who feel disposed may aid the
Cause. 1t can be cut from our columns, at
tached to sheet of paper, signatures OBJ
tanned, and De eventually presented to Con-
Srsss:
To tAs Hon. the Senate and Ho9ss of Rspreses-
tatIusJ Of tks UsIted States Of America in
CoHgrsSS assembled:
The memorial Of the undersigned, citizens
Oh Washington, respectfully represents, that
at the last charter election in this city, large
numbers Of cur fellow citizens, legally quail
Red voters, were deprived Of the exercise Of
tae eIectIye franchise, owing in part 10 the
limited time as we'll as the limited number Of
places allowed by law for the reception Of the
oaEo1s, but more particularly TO gross assump-
IONS VI power On the part Of the Commission
ers az elections, who, in many instances, dis
regarded the plain terms Of the city Charter
az well as the judicial decisions Of the Courts,
sxpla aiming and defining that instrument.
we therefore, pray your honorable bodies
10 enact such law a. viii prevent these
abuses hereafter, and TO secure to every legal.
fualret voter of the city, the free, full.
AhI undou6ted enjoyment Of his rights
kakihg Mahogany Plank out Of Pins
saw-Dust Many Of our ancient fellow citi
zens remember that one Of the pecuIiarities O
venerable DR.. Thornton, the COMMISSIONS
OF Patents under Munroe's administration. ii
not before, likewise,) was in the habit of bein
instantly charmed with every new notiol
brought before him 10 be patented. exclaiu
ing: My dear sir, 1 congratulate you, it
jusi the thing have been pu1zling my brai
OYER for tie iEst month On one occasion
tie late I-aj llail LineCl. L3ar Laid 4 wage
with other wAgs around our court house, tina
ne W0sld send some IOp-sidsa Yankee 70 II