Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-04-26
FRIDAY, APRIL Is, 1856.
Editorial Correspondents.
Aibany-A Bisdssye view II the Assembly.

ance Of Albany. In this, purpose to speak
more particularly of the assembled wisdom
recently gathered here and the public build
ings which give to Albany a name -at home
and abroad. Conspicuous among these buildings
is the Capitol at the head Of State Street. 1t
is not very pleasant day. but think we can
keep warm by walking fast, SO take my .rm
and we will enter the place where those who
have been elected by the people to make their
laws, are convened, and where men stoop
from their exalted positions as men, to the ig-
noble depths Of low, cunning politicians. We
enter the iron enclosure Of the Park (Which is
quite small, and ascend the steps. Do you
see that little group of wre-workers in yonder
corner, earnestly engaged in conversation 3
They belong to the Third House, (St. Paul
has Third House, judging from pamphlet
New York to create an outside pressure on the
members in order to get through the Legisa-
ture the Bridge Bill. They are what the world
calls shrewd men, and represents a high de-
gree Of responsibility, and wealth TO the amount
of millions. And yet what are they doing +?
PIedging thousands of dollars TO this and that
member to secure his influence-promisng
offices of trust and honor TO others, who, daz-
zled with the bright castles SO gorgeously set
upon golden clouds, shut out the better prompt
ings of the heart, and cause them to do the bid
ding Of schemng men. They succeed, and
the Bill, granting Bridge across the Hudson.
to the de,rilnent Of the commerce Of that noble
river, passes and becomes law, and yet how
little knows the outside world Of the causes
the end. And such has been, and for ought l
can see. will be for years to come, the control
ing influence that is ever perverting the Right
and perpetuating the Wrong; still, conceive.
a period at no distant day, in the history Of the
World. when men will be actuated by higher
motives than at present govern too many Of
those who wear the cloak Of Responsibility be-
meath which Turk bad and designing hearts.
But let US pass on. We ascend pair of
stairs, turn to the right anil enter the chamber
of the Senate 1t is a small room, not near so
large as the Council chamber in the Capitol at
St. Paul. There are ,hirty-two members. and
they sit in a sort Of amphi-thcatre, occupying
but little space. In the centre, at the outer
circle Of this amphi-thea.re, is the Speakers
desk, slightly elevated in order that he may
see the members. On his right is the Chief
Cerk,-o his left the Assistant. Small boys
from one member to another, carrying and
conveying messages TO various parts of tie
house within the railing, thereby surerseding
the necessity Of the members moving from
their seats, a feature commend to the Legs-
lature Of Minnesota as worthy Of imitation, as
it avoids much confusion and gives to worthy
and intelligent lads employment calculated TO
benefit them in future years. Outside of the
railing, and on Tie right of the Speaker, are
chairs for adies-on the left are seats for gem
tlemen. Ushers are at each door 10 wait upon
you, and thus, in the Senate Chamber of the
Legislature of New York. a system is attain
ed which at once commends itself as fraugh
with most excellent results. BY this system
each member can easily ascertain what is go.
ing on about him !; can distinctly hear, and if
he possesses ordinary common sense, and the
Speaker makes himself ineligible, can fully
understand every mo'ion brought lelore the
body. TO ne it was luxury to sit in this
I IL.
chnery which at the end Of each day turned
out work to be approved or disapprovrd by the
thousands of citizens Of the great Empire
State. While we sit here let us scan the char
acters of several Of thosc who compose the AS.
sembIy, and first, do you see that small man,
not much larger than myself, with not very
high, nor very broad forehead, but indicating
compactness and completeness! That is Mr.
RAYMOND, Editor of the N.-York Times, and
President of the Senate. Watch him. See
how restless his eyes are; twinkiing from one
side to the other, and apparently cognizant Of
everything transporting about him. A member
has just arisen. and before he has time to adj
dress the Chair, how quickly the President de-
tects him and announces his name, and then
subsidies again into that same restless, compre-
hensive position. The member has taken his
seat. Observe now how distinctly and quickly
the President puts the motion, apparently with
a full knowledge OF the subject before him.
TIE eye still rolling from side TO side and the
mind sill reaching forward TO catch and UNDER
stand and dispatch whatever business may be
offered by other members. Dir. Raymond is
certainly ore of the hest Speakers ever saw
in the chair, and though he has not that open
and frank countenance which l admire, but
rather Of the political, trickery order, still he
deporis himself in such a way as to prove TO
my mind that he has much influence with those
with whom he is associated. | cannot say
that admire the continual smile which plays
upoa his features, for it carries with it the idea
Of demagogueisn, and OF all traits in mans
character this detest. Mr.. Raymond is slim
in person, and will disappont those who know
him only throus Oh the columns Of the Times,
and as It. Gov. Of the State Of New York.
His countenancc is not striking, but the mind
changes when you hear and see him dispatch
the business brought tefore the Senate