True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-09-08
Prof. Morse Before Congreas.

AT the recent Atlantic Cable gorifica-
ton in indianapolis, Elk. Gov. WALLACE
gave The following interesting account of
the first Telegraph bill in the house of
Representatives of the United States.--
Mr.. WALLACE said: u.-..
Some sixteen years ago had the honor
of seat in Congress as the Representative
Of this district, The Wing party had
just achieved great victory. They held
possession of tho Government In the
midst of the political strife around us two
remarkable persons appeared-Espy, the
"Storm King, and Morse, the Electrician.
Each was asking for assistance. Each
became the butt of ridicule, the target of
mercless arrows of wit. They were
voted downright bores, and the idea of
giving them money WAS pronounced far
cical. They were considered monoma-
MACS, and as such we're laughed at,
punned upon, and almost despised.
One morning | entered the House Of
Representatives, and, to my astonishment,
saw a gentleman rise from his seat whom
/ had never heard open his mouth before,
unless il was to vote or address the
Speaker. 81 hold in my hand," he said,
"a resolution which respectfully offer
for the consideration of the House."
In moment page was at his desk,
and the resolution was transferred 10 the
Speaker and by him delivered to the
Clerk, who read: "Resolved, That the
committee Of Ways and Means be instruc.
ted TO inquire into the expedicncy of
appropriating $50, 900 to enable Professor
Morse to establish line Of telegraph be.
tween Washington and Baltimore" The
gentleman who offered 1t was Mr.. Ferris,
one of the Representatives from the City
of New York, man of wealth and learn
ing, but modest, retiring and difident in
his demeanor. 1t being merely resolu-
lion of inquiry. it passed without opposi.
ton, and, out of regard to the mover,
without comment. In time it came to
The committee of Ways and Means, and
when in its order il came before the com
miltee, scene presented itself that shall
not soon forget. The committe was
composed of five Wings and four Demo.
crais. The latter were Mr.. Atherton, Of
New Hampshire, John W. Jones of Vir.
ginia, Frank Pickens of North Carolina,
and Dixon H. Lewis of Alabama. On
the Wing side were Milard Fillmore Of
New York, Jos. r Ingersoll Of Pennsyl.
vania, Sampson Mason of Ohio, Thos H
Marshall of Kentucky, and David Wal
lace of Indiana, all Of whom, both Wings
and Democrats, excepting your humble
servant had by their public services, and
brilliant, talents, acquired national rep.
utalion. The clerk of the committee
read the resolution. The chairman Mr..
Fillmore, in clear, distinct voice; said
"Gentlemen, what disposition shall be
made ofit?" There was dead pause
around the table. No one seemed in,
cli0ed TO take the initiative, confess that
inasmuch as the mover of the resolution
in the House was a Democrat, IexpecteC
the Democratic side of the committee tc
stand godfather 10 it there. But not ;
bill of it. They gave it no countenance.
| lA.length Mr., Ingeisoll or Mr.. Mason
| cannot now recollecl which, broke tn,
ominous silence by moving that th,
committee instruct hechairman to report
a billlo the House. appropriating $S0,OOt
for the purpose named in the resolution
This, as the saying is, 'fbro'tius all VI
standing" No speeches were made. =
EThe question was called for. The yea
and nays we're taken, alphabetically, an,
TO my astonishment, found every Dem
ocrat voting No; Fillmore, Mason, In
Egersoll and MARSHALL voting in the affir
native. My vote would decide th
iEquestion either way. To tell the truth
had paid no attention to the matter. :