The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-03-23
from the Washington Sentincl.1
Congressional Oratorioal Sport.

Congressional oratorical Sport.
Early on Sunday morning the House of
Representatives, finding itself without quo
rum, ordered call, to procure larger at
tendance of members. The doors were
closed, while the Sergeant alarms was dar-
ting, half asleep, into hotels and boarding
houses, for the purpose of informing snooz-
ing absentccs that their presence at the Hall
was demanded. There was no quorum,
and of course, no proposition could be lc-
ultimately entertained by the House; but
to relieve the tedium, the occupant of the
chair (Mr. HibbardD permitted the members
to indulge in little sport, of which the fol-
lowing will serve as an example, written
from our rough notes, taken at the time, to
serve, in the absence of matters of more
interest, for future local item.
Mr.. Brcckinridgc reminded the members
that three hours had elapsed since the main
question was ondered on the Know nothing
bill-namely to prevent the importation Of
foreign criminals, paupcrs, the blind and the
insane.
Mr.. Lctcher, Qoudly.) Would it not be
i'll order to have a general debate on it now
daughter, so lo1d rs to wake from their
nnps sew craI gentlemen asleep with their
heads resting on their desk>.)
The Chair {arousing himself from the
dozc into which he had tallcn) think not
Mr.. Mike Walsh, standing in the area
fronting the Clerks desk.) want to know,
sir, whether it would be in order to have
whiskey punches brought in? (Laughter.)
The Chair, (scriouslyO have no more
discretion over the subject than the gentle.
man.
Mr.. Fuller. have, with much labor, pre-
pared aspeech on the navigation laws, which
| ask leave to have printed. Il voice {:
"TLere are several fellows "haIf seas over"
Ha ha !!
Mr.. Wentworth, of Illinois. Read your
speech. If its good, I'll agree; if not, l
won't.
Mr.. Fuller. Ii you can't take it on trust
don't care.
Mr.. Wentworth. Well, I'll take it on
trust. don't object. A voice: "Print
your speech, FuIler."]
Mr.. Chandler. We've got the door tied,
sir, and therefore can't get refreshments.
Mr.. Pratt. want to know whether it would
be in order to direct the servants to bring in
breakfast
A Voice. "Scnd Pratt biscuit" Ha
hal
Mr.. Pratt Tn hungry. Many voices,
in succcssion: so am III
MIR. Florence, laboring under severe
hoarscness. Have gentlemen forgotten that
this is the Sabbath day9 A voice: Lets
have Il sermon, CoIonel."]
Cries of "Ordcr, ORDER"
| Mr. Fl,rop.o [.1oy,t;,,o. lie ,,o;,oN T. -
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 quotation.
Mr.. Florence. But the sentiments true
Mr.. Wentworth. Would it be in order
10 move that General Sam Houston be elcc-
ted President Of the United States2 [Cries
of "Orlcr," and "good," "good."] If SO, l
make the motion. Merriment
Mr.. Washburn, Of Maine, [laughingly.1
l move to lay that motion OH the table.
Mr.. Benson. call the yeas and nays.
Mr.. Knox. Imove to take up the aged
widows appeal"
The chair said no notice could, at that
time, be taken Of any such proposition.
(The "aged widows appeal" was to the
members to pass Senate bill 444, lying on
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 Holkar.
"She is now," the handbill stated, "over
ninety years Of age, and if the debt, which
stands upon the treasury books, is ever to be
paid, it should be now. Will not the House
take it up and pass it?")
! Mr.. Smith, of Tennessee, moved that the
House adjourn to the room of the Commit
tee on the Post Office and Post Roads,
| (where, it was understood, refreshments had
been prepared)
Mr.. BreckinriAge said that, sometime ago,
the gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Letcher,)
who was. s.such "strict constructionist":.th that
he would not vote for anything that was
not perpendicular, (aughter9 got an in.
crease Of pension for one Of his constituents
who had his arm shot off at the elbow,sin
the military service Of the United States.
II that was In order, he wished to know
whether he could not procure an increase
Of pension for d boy sof his (Mr. Breckin-
ridges district who had his arm shot of at
the shaaldsf jbint, in the battle of Buena
Vista, and Is incapable Of supporting bin,-
self Nanght9r.l
,tss We might gsaswell employ onr time iD
'lEias way, d ips any other. q S b.
AaYeics sal prefer thS other Ha! Hal
i sa = boz rise to q ,questiond order.
Il bss saoyalEa consideration of2he eaged
Wdo~ RRnealm g ssss s. Z &, 3,