Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-03-30
DOlNGS AT The CAPITAL.
SENATE CHAMBER, Desmoines, !
March Oath. 1860, (

OOANGS AT THE CAPITAL.
SENATE CHAMBER, Desmoines,l
March Gath, 1860.
FllHND JOURNAL: - To suppose that,
because We fad in mems characters, DISPOSE
tons and compositions that which we cannot
which we must criticise and
condemn-does not prove to my mind that,
somewhere in his being, there is mo good
thing" 1t is theory of mine that every
person possesses some good qualities, some
virtues, some rsdeeming traits; and this
theory has to me been substantiated, made
clearer and stronger, within the past few days.
You will recollect that, a few days ago, took
occasion to refer to the inexperienced and Gas
/ then termed it) pon.pous course of Senator
Hammer, of Clayton. All that time I was
satisfied that Mr.. H. did not see himself as
others saw him. 1 am happy to bear testi-
mony that, since that article appeared in this
chamber in Journal type, there has been
decided improvement in the course Of Mr.. H.
l thought him too wise man not to profit by
kind admonition, gentle hint, of certain
useless appendages, that impsded his progress
toward higher state Of popularity. That
criticism, if it may be so called, has lad the
desired effect-it has accomplished all that I
designed it should-and am now about to
commend Mr.. h. for one act which I think is
redeeming quality in his character. When
q man, in obedience to the known wishes Of
his constituents-in the face and eyes of the
public veal and public demands-rises higher
and far above the trammels Of party, looks
beyond party lines to the peoples interests,
and stamps himself an independent man,
when principle is involved-such an one
should meet with the plaudits of ever enlight-
ened patriot, for then may We confidently
hope for our country. The Code of Criminal
Practice was, upon two preliminary votes and
on the final vote, opposed by every Democratic
Senator except Mr.. Hammer, who voted with
the Republicans. The Code was obnoxious
to the nigger-loving amalgamationsts because
it contains transcript Of very noted Mass
achusets law, and also provisions concerning
the granting of acquisitions, which will in
future meet all Coppock cases, and obviate
difficulties. Mr.. Hammer was bold and fearless
enough to stem the flood-tide of "African'
vengeance, and vote in ACCORDANCE with the
wishes of those whom ne here represents
early and late. Let such deeds be remembered
when the little acts of Evolutionary indiscre
ton and imperfection are lost in the great
ocean Of forgetfulness.
And here is an another instance of very
similar character. Weeks ago, Democratic
Senator's, who are more demagogues thar
anything else, gave notice that, before they
could vote for an appropriation to complete
the hospital for the insane, they wished it.
affairs Investigated, and probable cost fairly
estimated by some competent person othe
than Mr.. Winslow. This estimate they wanted
as their basis of action The investigator!
Committee returned, headed by Mr.. Patterson
Oong may he live y in the Senate, and Judg
Hall, in the House, both Democrats of tn
true blue. On Friday, the bill making al
appropriation to the hospital of $4,000 wa
before the Senate. 1t was very evident that
if the bill passed, it must depend upo,
Republican votes only. This morning, tn
subject was renewed, and Dave Wilson-who
by the way, is clever fellow, but too rasi
and inconsiderate in debatc-made savag
onslaught, and unwise, ignorant speech, upol
all concerned with the institution; charged
deception upon the Commissioners, dishonest,
upon Mr.. Winslow, extravaganza, &C., &c
It was very evident that Dave Didn't know
what he was talking about, for, when h
! IL .~orpI hio, opA oalloJ bic f~ll
Senators, with tears in his eyes, almost, t.
take pity on the insane, who were lying il
our dungeon cells, chained to floors and wall
of out building, and to vote an appropriation
of $4,000, I say he betrayed wilfu
ignorance of his subject. He knew Just a
we'll as any other man knew-he had tn
testimony of an experienced machlnest
impartial, misunderstanding anything shor
Of $75, 900 would be money thrown away
lie knew that $780, 900 taken from the Stat
Treasury would effect nothing on the hospital
Knowing, as I do, that Mr.. Wilson is no
devoid Of common sense, cannot account fo
his course only on the ground of demagogis
To-day, be has most efficiently played tina
part to the best of his ability. He wa
followed by Drummond, who also made Al
unjust, rash, unmanly speech, or rathe
attack, upon the hospital, Republican party
and things in general. | have high respec
for Tom, and regretted exceedingly to Sc
him take the course he did-he made n
friends for himself or for his asylum at Vinton
The truth was, he was spearing mad becaus
his pet didn't get $1S, 900 on Friday, the bill
} for that purpose having been defeated
Drummond know to be an aspiring youn
man, but he can take this truth home to hi
heart that he will never reach higher until h
learns the art Of. "selfgoverpment." Thes
are not my views alone, but of his own con
stituents and citizens. His attack upon tn
Messrs. Saunders, Commissioners, and MI
wanton and inconsiderate to the extreme O
course, he voted with the Democracy. Il
noble contrast with Drummopd stood our owl
Senator. Mr.. Patterson, although quite unwei
and feeble, entered the ring, this morning
and gave merited rebuke to his Democrat
friends-hurled back the base imputation O
having gone to Mt. Pleasant for the purpos
of white- aoashing the affairs Of the hospital
While he condemned in some measure tn
acts of the Commissioners, he had no heart t
turn deaf ear to the appeals of those who's
friends are incarceFated in felan's dungeon
While IN the report he had condemned tn
letter Of Mr.. Winslow to Mr.. Grimes, he coult
not vote to make political capital for his part.
friends out of the rawlings and incoherent erie
of the insane in his own county Jail, and il
nearly every Jail in the State. He thanked
God for the belief that his party was basee
upon better and more humane foundatic.
than the misfortunes and dethroned reasons
of his feiiow-citizens. can give in thi'