Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-30
House OF Delegates, March 20.

House Oh w.
oyster Fundum- bill being the order
of the day was taken up, aud the Clerk PRO-
ceeded to read the bill by sections.
Mr.. Segar moved to dispense with the read
! ing, but the Chair decided that it was neces-
sary to read the bill, as amendments would be
offered.
Mr.. Sweeney here suggested to Mr.. Pax
ton TO lay the bill on the table, with the view
of having the amendments printed.
Mr.. Paxton declined to entertain the pro-
position. :,
Mr.. Claybrook said that Mr.. Paxton had
favored him (Mr. C.) with look at the
amendments. They were 81 in numter;
and, instead of their being of no moment, as
MIR. Paxton had conceived, they were of vital
| Importance.
MIR. Paxton said it was not his fault that
Mr.. Clay brook had not an opportunity of
discussing the bill within the last 80 days.
lie Mr.. P.) had no especial interest In the
bill, but be had taken charge of it and would
do his duty by it.
Mr.. Clay brook said be did not wish to be at
all regarded as dodging the question.
This bill makes the Governor more en-
phaticaly the despOt over the oyster country
than the Emperor of Russia was over his
serfs, or the Emperor OF the Celestial Empire
over his people. lie asked the House, as an
act of Justice, to sustain him IN his demand
to have the amendments printed
Mr.. Paxton said he was afraid If he agreed
with the proposition of Mr.. Claybrook that
they would not meet at Phillippi, and if they
did not then he would hold the gentleman
responsible. lie (Mr. P.) intended to cut
up by the roots the Liberty" of the Yankees
to violate the law in Virginia; and if these
were Mr.. Claybrook's people, be did then in
tend to destroy their liberty Of violating the
laws, thing which had been practised Tor
% years.
Mr. Kemper here crossed over from his
seat, and, standing beside MIR. Ciaybrook,
commenced to address the House. lie said
he was not in the ring of this fight. Laugh.
teri Mr. Clay brook, he perceived, was ex-
cited. (Mr. Claybrook here made some re-
mark about being coOl.) WhereupOn Mr..
Kemper said "Oh, yes. Mr.. Claybrook re-
minds me of certain ma OF at Buena Vista,
who was seen furiously riding along the
! lines, the object of his hot haste being to
say keep cool, boys. keep cool! Don't you
see am as cool as helln" Immense laugh
ter.) Printing these amendments Continued
Mr. Kemper) will create delay. Tae House
is DOW "iu articulo norris" This caused
| immense laughter, which became perfectly
upruarious Oh Mr.. Tomlin's saying, "Amen!')
A member (said Mr.. X had remarked that
this bill affected the very meat aud bread OF
| his constituents; but, Good Lord every one
of my constituents pay o tax tor every bit be
puts in his mouth. Mr.. kemper continued
in very pleasant aud witty strain to ad-
| dress the House, and restored that good humor
which was evidently ebblng fast
Mr.. Paxton here remarked that it was
most extraordinary thing that the gentleman
from Northumberland, should have consulted
poor oystermen on political economy and the
| Constitution of the United States.
Dir. Claybrook was proceeding to reply to
this in rather warm manner, VIXEN Mr.
Kemper again spoke and said that be inter
posed as a peace maker, and the Bible said,
BLESSED is the peace-maker." Much laugh
ter.
After some further discussion, the consid'
Grafton of the subject was postponed.