New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-03-29
SENATORIAL WIT,

There is saying, worthy of all accepta-
ton, that "a little nonsense now and then
is relished by the best of men," The
senators of the United States are, or ought
to be, the very best of men, and that they
RELISH not only little, but great deal of
nonsense, is undeniable. The reporters for
the Associated Press at Washington, with
eommendable faithfulness, take care to
report at full length and with stenographic
precision the brilliant flashes Of merriment
that often set the senate in a roar, and thus
the entire country is made happy by shar-
ing in the enjoyment of the sparkling wit
and keen repartee INDUCED in by these
grave and reverend sages. 1t has been said
that there is no such thing as a new joke,
and learned volumes have been written to
show that all of Joe Miller's best sayings
were known to the builders of the Tower
of Babel. But this opinion must now be
considered erroneous. Jokes are now daily
uttered in congress which are entirely
new-they must be jokes since the senators
and representatives laugh at them-and we
are certain that they are perfectly original.
Saturday before last was an unusually
brilliant day, in this regard, in
the senate. The spirit of merriment ran
high, and slaughter" resounded through
the hall. The subject under discussion
was the adoption Of an additional rule con.
corning the action of the senate when sit
ting as a court of impeachment. The
theme was jocose one, and scarcely had
its consideration commenced ere the fun
began. We copy from the full report of
the proceedings, as it appears i'll the New
York papers:
Mr.. Anthony said that while he recog-
nized the vast Importance of the presiding
officer being addressed as Mr.. President
instead of Mr.. Chief JUSTICE Qaughter)
he would say that he was afraid mischiev-
GUS senators ON the other side would discuss
the proposition until the adjournment.
Qaughter.)
This is exquisite! Two jokes in six
lines, and such jokes, too This must be
that Mad Anthony himself, Of whom we
read about. But something better fol-
lowed:
Mr.. Nye said that senators would make
long constitutional arguments on it, at all
events. Uaughter.)
Nothing can be neater than this sally.
Emulation was, however, excited, and even
the president of the senate tried his hand
at joke
Mr. Drake-"Am l entitled to the fioor?n
The CHAIR ertainly; you have the
floor" Oaughter.)
After this, the contagion spread rapidly.
Each senator rivaled the other in the
merry-go-rounder, and presently these
brilliant things were said
Mr.. Salisbury THE honorable senator |
said there was purpose in it,
MIR. Drake-'I never said what the pur-
pose was.n (Laughter.)
Mr.. Sprague-''It might make some differ |
enee in his vote" (Laughter.)
MIR. Drake said the senator might as well |
say the present presiding officer should not |
wear his coat or pantalo0ns. Qaughter.) |
Mr.. Salisbury said he did not believe |
the presiding officer had ever been caught |
Ia such predicament, and hoped he never |
would. Qaughter.)
Mr. Conness moved TO adjourn.
Mr.. Conkling- it is about time.
Cruel Mr.. Conkling consumed by envy, |
perhaps, he gave utterance to this malig
nant sneer, and the adjournment taking
place, the sport was over. But after this,
let no man say that our Legislators at
Washington can not take joke. And let
US be thankful to the reporters, who furnish
Us with these exquisite gems Of wit, for
their thoughtfalness in showing US just
where the laugh comes in. Otherwise, we
would never know it.