Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-01-16
(Correspondence of the Free Press
The New York Legislature.
ALBANY, n. Y, Jan. o.

Dear Free Press;
This quiet old Dutch city is /
thoroughly reused from its slumbers, by the /
coming Of the Legislature, which assembled here /
on Tuesday last. The best hotels are crowded /
with members elect, and besides those necessarily
here, notice many - Third House" men, more
anxiously intent upon their various projects,
than members will be upon the Legitimate busi-
ness of the session. Conspicuous among this
latter class is Horace Greeley, with his
peculiar costume, and careless, not to say
slip-shod, manners and address, which have
now become a part of his fame. Daniel ;.
Dickinson, Fernando Wood, and George Law
are also here, and, apparently, engaged IN
marty schemes. IN item in reference to Horace
Greeley is worth preserving. Having fallen
asleep at the Delayan, Wednesday, while reading
a newspaper, one Of the boys who are constantly
On the alert to '-llack your boots, sir" was
employed to polish his boots. Mr.. Greeley did
not wake until the first boot was nearly compile
ted, and then thinking it too late to resist, phi
losophicaliy submitted; although 1t was observed
that he was il-at-ease during the remainder Of
the day, and especially 50, when his eye rested
for moment upon the unusual brlllianey of his
stogies.'
The two main questions in reference to the
legislative proceedings, thus far, are, how to
organize the House, and what to think Of Gov
seymour's Message The former question is most
talked Of here, as being the matter aow IN hands
while the latter viii. perhaps, be most discussed
abroad. No one pretends to know positively, yet,
how an organization Of the House is to be effect
ell. The vote for Speaker now stands 63 ior
each Of tn opposing candid1,cs, Sir. Sherwood
and Slr. Dean. There seems no prospect Of a
change and it is, meanwhile, somewhat
amusing to see the contest for the Speakership
proceed; hour after hour is spent in the House in
following the same monotonous hum-irum
round Of bslloting,-kept up Of course merely
for forms sake The Clerk calls the roll and
each member. as his name is called, rises and
announces the name of the candidate he prefers,
and so it continues until the roll Is completed
The Clerk then announces in tired voice the
result Of the ballot, 63 to 65, and adds, '' You
have effected no election" \ member then
rises and with as much bulldog determination
in his manner as he is able to assume, moves
that the house proceed to another ballot lhe
motion prevails without dissenting voice the
clerk raps stoutly on the desk and cries order
and then proceeds again with the monotonou'
roIl-call, while the members engage IN mistelia-
neous conversation, interrupted only as each
responds to the call. And thus again and again
the rrind-stone turns round with the same un-
varying result, in the hope ! suppose oi al
length grinding out A speaker.
The Hobbies are crowded meanwhile, by those
who watch with great apparent interest, these
ingenious legislative exercises Eighteen OF
/ these profoundly Strategic eircumYolution-'
we're accomplished yesterday and there
is probability Of an increased number
/ to-day.-not to mention those Of several
days past 1t is supposed by careful OBJ
servers. that the rapidity with which these move
men,s can he effected Will gradually increase
from practice, although no one can yet predict
the limit which viii ultimately be reached, when
the name Of the fayorte candidate has become
entirely familiar to the vocal organs Of the rt'-
pectiye members The question Of the Speaker
ship is now simply question Of human endur-
ance, and men who are pledged in caucus art
not likely to change, publicly, the candidate
whose name they have so often repeated III vot-
ing There Is no chance to dodge as when writ
ten or printed ballots are used, and the only so
luton Of the difficulty must be found in som'
Unforeseen accident or IN party movement
have already made my letter too long t
say anything Of the reception Of Governor Sey-
mour's Message. may only add that loca
Republican journals treat it with greater for
bearance than will think be shown ii elsewher'
by the Republican Press.