Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-07-06
A Legislative Anecdote.

&A0OS0VSVs
We publish the annexed anecdote to
show of what kind of material our .eg-
islatures are sometimes composed. It
cannot be said to be more ridiculous,
however, than the assertion made few
days since BY certain esculapian aspi-
rant, that the Public Square of Olym-
pia was under the immediate control of
the United States!
The following amusing incident,
which actually occurred during the sit
ting of one of our western legislatures,
we deem worthy Of Misunderstanding
as it does, an arrogant and overbearing
department often meets with stingiug
rebuff:
The subject then before the House
and under discussion, was as to the pro-
priety of adjourning over the 8th of
January-the anniversary of the battle
of New Orleans-in order for some Of
the members to participate in the gen.
eral jubilee to be held on that day.
Several members had already spoken,
both for and against the measure, when
the Speaker, an aged and worthy man,
stated that he was opposed to the ad-
journment, and intimated that he did
not see any particular necessity for adj
journing over the 9Th, as too much time
had already been consumed in adjourn
ments aud useless discussions and that
as yet but little business had'been trans
acted, and the session was drawing to
a close. He concluded his remarks with
the question "Why then, should we ad.
journ over the 9th of January?"
Doctor X, our "hero"-who had
rendered himself disagreable to maj
ority of the members by his violent and
ill-natured conduct-either misapprc-
hending the substance Of their remarks,
or else desiring to display the profund-
ity of his knowledge, arose with much
pomposity and delivered somewhat to
this effect
"Mr. Speaker am surprised that
such profound ignorance should be dis
played in this house. blush to reflect
that as aged and worthy man as our
Speaker, should be 80 entirely ignor-
ant Of his country's past history, as to
deliver himself in the manner he has
before this house. He wishes to know
why we should adjourn over the 9th OF
January. I will inform him, although
the task would be better betting q
child, who had bntjust commenced the
study ofhistory, than member Of this
legislature. Mr.. Speaker, this is why
we wish to adjourn over tomorrow.
We wish to observe and venerate the
anniversary of the day on which Co.
Mmbus discovered america, in the year
fourteen hundred and ninety-tpo !"
The emphasis with which the last
words of the above paragraph werc ut
tered, with the error, caused a scene of
diordev out seldom witnessed within the
halls of legislature. The doctor took
his seat supposing that his eloquence
and logic had completely annihilated
the aged Speaker, and little thinking
that he was the object Of their mirth
and ridicule, he appeared at that mo-
ment the very image of selfindated
egotism. 1t was not many moments,
however, till he was informed of his or.
ror, when his chagrin and discontinue
was 90 great that he took "French
leave" OF his fellow representatives,
and ere many moments had elapsed he
was safely ensconced at bis lodgings, .
"wiser If not better man" Demo.
cratic (Oyn.) Standard.
~ Massachusetts, has organized q
corps of female nurses for the army,
with the celebrated Miss Dorothea L.
Dix at the head.
~ The Emperor Napoleon has Just
completed his fitty-third year, having
been horn On the 0flfh Anil fa0Q