Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1859-02-09
Tho Legislature.

What is our Legislature doing, is becoming
as importanta question as, Who struck Billy
Pattersonf" All that the members are doing.
perhaps. II is not proper to tell. One thing
however, can be told without any fear OF
oontradiciion-they are whetling their ambi'
tition for higher rounds on the political lad
der. From q careful count, We think there are
iust eleven aspirants 10 the present Legislature
for Gubefnatorial honon--twenty Two who
think they ought to lie Lieutenant Governor =
forty foar who are looking to Congressional
favors. ard the remainder are waiting for some
thing TO turn up. The few who would like TO
be Governor. are the most dignlhed gentlemen
you find at the Capital They change their
linen twice week and wear standing shirt
collars. They are imperiou- in their manners,
drink ten cent whisky aud have their boots
BACKED every morning. They only speak on
important occasions. aud then always com
mence by saying. "Mr. Speaker. you viii DO
me the Justice to say sir. that do not trouble
this body often with a speech. bat as this i
perhaps the most important measure that will
be before the Legislature this session. | thought
II peculiarly incumbent on me. that should
now speak" The aspirants for Lieutenant
Governor are few risky. active. sharp men
They generally have a sufficient Of ibis world :
goods TO live without the emolumenis OF ofiise.
and therefore prefer honors. to money. They
pride themselves on their Parliamentary know
edge-Jtffer,cn sometimes commits blunders
in his Manual, but they, never. I heir highest
consequence i. attained. when they appeal
from the decision Of the char. snc the appeal
- sustained. An occurrtace Of this kisc Tx
es their future prospects aud rsases them sin
gularly fitted to preside over the deliberations
Of the Senate.
But the most numerous class Is the forty
toars. Their Efforts are confined to Their re
spective Congressional Districts. They flood
those with papers and documents aud contin.
ually introduce Joint resolutions in relation 10
national topics. They feel but little interest
in any portion OF the State outside Of the tier
Of counties forming their Congressional Dis.
trct. aud when they make a speech--which
- often-ii is suited for particular locality.
Those members display much courtesy TO
every one. but when an active politician
from their district enters The l,bbes. they
surround him like birds of prey lowering over
dead carcass. They feast him. treat him.
play him. aud natier him. If he wants some
legislative action. they Immediately promise
their influence and their votes. ia considera
ton that a boost is given them in the next
Congressional race.
These are some OF the important things the
Legislature j. doing. But it j. not devisiny
the ways aud means by which the public debt
may eventually be paid. 1t l. not cur,ailing
the enormous extrayagances Of the State
government. II is not touching with states
mans skill the springs OF government here and
fastening screw there, until the whole CON-
bned machiuery moves without jar or rattle
II is passing no law to suppress intemperance
or to improve the educational interests Of the
State. In fact, it j. really doing nothing. aud
The reason is the S ate has never Witnessed so
weak a Legislature as the one now in session.
Ii is weak both in morals and in brains, and
the very best, the most polite thing it could
do. the most advantageous thing for The State
would be, that the "raible" adjourn. aud save
an already depleted treasury.