The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-02-18
LIFE AT THE CAPITOL
GRour HousE,

LIFE AT THE CAPITOL.
GRoUT House.,
Dies MoISEs, Feb. 18th 1860.
| Ma. Ep1roR Life at the capitol has been to
me, as yet, very ike life at home. Alternate
cold weather and muddy streets, together
with the sickness of the "Junior " have
combined to keep me within doors most Of
the time. Hooked 10 upon the Legislators
for the 6rst time on Saturday of the week
Of my arrival, but so hasty view was II,
as to hardly afford theme for my pen. In
| the Senate they were discussing bill relat.
ing to timbered lands, or something Of that
sort, and in the House, they were doing, as
it seemed to me, little of everything and
not much Of anything. All seemed to be
acting upon the principle Of g first come,
first served" and one was introducing a
bill, another an amendment, third reso-
oiution, and fourth an objection, while to
nv uns sophisticated mind, IMMERSED as was
| in parliamentary usages, the whole scene was
suggestive of those memorable words Of o
certain Wolverine Senator, viz : "noise and
confusion" If this is Legislation, said to
myself, how do We ever get any laws? Al
/ length motion to adjourn till Monday
morning, seemed to meet with general IA
vor, and was carried without any objections
go the "august body" broke up. was
afterward, told that such irregularity was
not ALWAYS the order Of business, in the
House, but for that day they had suspended
the rules, and each member was doing his
best to obtain for himself, or his constitu.
ents an early hearing. Luckily for my good
opinion of Iowa aw-makers, have since
visited the Assembly when better order was
preserved. If
On the evening the of % nit. attended a
public lecture by 6. II. JEROME, Of the Iowa
City Republican. For theme he selected
| a part of Solon's admirable definition of the
bes. form of governmsnt-viz: "An inju.
~ done to private citizen is as if done to
the whole body" The speaker treated bis
subject in mastery manner, and ! only
wish | could obtain copy of the lecture
for the entertainment of your readers. Es-
pecally interesting was one portion--a trib.
ute to the printing press, and am in hopes
to succeed in obtaining that, if no more, fol-
publication in the Nonpdrsil.
On Tuesday, the 9TH inst. the House, hav.
ing gone into Committee Of the whole, for
the consideration of the GOVERNORS In
augural, had up for discussion that portion
relative to John Browns foray at Harper's
Ferry. It is ever, and every where an in
teresting topic, as you are aware, and hun,
dreds were present to listen to the discussion
Silks and crinoline crowded the galleries,
for the far population Of Des Moines was
well represented. was not present at the
morning session, so did not hear the open.
ing or the debate. Mr.. RosENcRAss from
| Hamilton, was the first to claim the hoor at
the afternoon session. He occupied about
fifteen minutes, and spoke in rapid nerv-
Gus style, ustering a good many sound truths.
but without much regard to graceful gestic.
| ulation.
/ He was answered, on the other side of the
house, by Mr.. LIE LAcHEuR, from Delaware!
an old, white haired man, and a fair speci.
men should judge Of what politicians call a
srabid Demo crat.' lie had not the least sym
pathy with republicanism in any of its forms
he denounced the Inaugural as reasonable
document, as a support and endorsement Of
John Brown aud his diabolical scheme !; h,
was happy to say he did not hear that docu
i me7t selivered; he would not be guilty Of
lending his eountenance to any act 40 derog
a,ory TO the character of an American citi
zen he did not attend Senator HARLAN
lcvee (.ome fair one behind me, mischiev
ously suggested 81 wonder if he had I
4 bid .") he absented h mself from principle
be did not believe in supporting, or hatter
ing such embodiments Of corrupt prin
ciples.
i The speaker said he was an American
4 citizen, not by birth bue by choice he wa
Of French origin, fellow countrymen oil
Lafayette, but he adored American institu
lions, and American government; an
finished up with an oratorical flourish,
tribute to the American flag; he woul
weep to see Que star dimmed, or one strip
erased; and he hoped to be buried on Amer
lean soil, were the stars aud stripes coul
wave over his grave. The speech was, al
together, a mingling, of creditable oratory
and rank prejndice. But the speakers ag
commanded respect, and he was listened I
with mark ed attention.
He was followed by Mr.. GuRLEr fror
Scott, who occupied nearly an hour in speak
ing, and reading from different authors.
He spoke slowly, and in a sort Of monotone
!, often hesitating, and repeating, as if he ha
, not his ideas thoroughly matured; for whic
reason he failed to command that attention
which the subject matter Of his speech d.
served.
A Next followed MIR. BENNETT, OF Marion
the Sir Oracle Of the Democratic side Of th
House-the man that the Democrats q
"brag on" He has sharp toned voic,
!. which he pitches upon high, rather than
loud. key, and almost his only gesture is
: shaking Of the right hand, with the fngt
extended, in the direction Of bis adversar,
or Of the chair. He spoke for more TIM
half nm hour, and said q great deal in ii
. time for he isa ready and rapid speake
never at loss for words, and seemed
have all his ideas at ais tongues end. Bu
did not .slike his style, = neither did. l ill
his spirit. He took pains, to speak Wit
!. particular disrespect of Governor KIRKwoo
i and bis Inaugural, denouncing it as treasoI
! able to the last degree. and referring to il
I .. a FAxeA ~ - . -