Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-12-09
weren't more'n . minnit afue that hoe
handle was swelled. up a. big as my leg 7"
Washington Correspondence OF the Cipeiu usi
CommeTcialI
The Revision OF the q. y. Laws.

The Revision Of the u. >. Laws.
DON PIATT ON THE COMMISSION AP-
POINTED BY CONGRESS.
There are two venerable pumps, tagging,
reluctant-loth to lean upon the political
stage, in whom the pensive public has an
interest that comes of their antiquity.
One Of these is Caleb, surnamed Cushing,
and the other Judge William johnson,
endearingly known in Ohio as the
"Booby."
Turning over that vast collection Of
dreary nonsense, called the Congressional
Globe, in search Of other matter, STUN
bled ON q debate in which l saw familiar
names. II one wants to commit wick
edness and hide it 80 efectually that even
Mrs. Beeoher Stowe cannot scent it out,
or even the Recording Angel find it at
the great day, let him bury it in the Con-
gressional Globe. 1t will slumber there
beyond the reach of the last trump in the
final judgment.
The debate-so called-came on on the
oath of March last, and was on the propo-
sition to continue the commission APP
pointed by Congress to revise the laws of
statutes are in fearful state of confusion
Laws passed are piled on laws repealed.
and laws amended, until the entire mass
is in hopeless state of muddle, and the
courts and departments spar off and pad
die on in blind sort of way, searching
for the "be it enacted" proper for their
guide.
To remedy this, Congress created a
commission of men learned in the law 10
wade in and sift out, and reduce many
volumes to the comprehension of the null
titude. Did l say gentlemen learned in
the law? l should have written gentle
men for the erudite and patriotic Con-
gress had its piercing eyes fixed on one
man in this connection, and that man was
Caleb, surnamed Cushing. If Caleb could
be obtained to do this mighty work. Con-
gress in its legislative mind felt happy
The learned Caleb was approached. He
listened to the proposition with that owl
ish gravity that has passed for wisdom,
these many ages, and then responded
placing his hand upon that part Of the
animal economy where the heart is sup
posed TO be, by saying that he would con-
slider this work the browning achievement
OF his busy life, and give to it all the en-
ergy Of his brain, the love Of heart, and
the wind Of his lungs. The credulou-
Congress thercupon, being content in Its
Legislative mind, passed law creating a
commission Of the Hon Caleb Gushing
and two others. learn from THE debate
that the appendant two were Judgo John.
son, " Booty aforesaid, aud judge
Charley James, formerly al Cincinnati.
The compensation was 10 b. 5000 gear.
with clerks 70 assist, aud 10 end ~ STA.
tiouery 70 york On, and ~ arm wtt "
lhst three years
Three yoarg expired, ana 90 mutton
to continue tho cJmiuis iou The debate
sprung up, and tho facts c.duo or It
-ocms that dear old Charley Jaaps old
at the ago of twenty ono vent - work,
like good fellow, and lor three yeart
gave ton hours q day g. DO revision Egs
the mighty Caleb threw ia the dignity.
but did not work, while the venerable
Johnson, being 10 III health It'd mu'fy
stories
Not q zarlpc 81 d pom eou' he found
from the great Cushing, and hll thn said
Boob" contributed could ID put IN his
Judicial nose without cau-lug him to
sneelo. But there was one department
in which the ancient pumps %cre as regu-
lar aud a. industrious ~ bea4 arr, and hat
was N drawing their pay. hoy were as
regular ar Rnls bJardrr, who never
missed Hls il ~ paid G mt II Ms
said that the old honey-co NIB Gushing
tool, from tie Treasury $4,000, and ola
bceswax Johnson drew $4,000
Now, all that the government got for
this heavy expenditure was the work Of