Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-12-27
COMMUNICATED.
A Glance at the Legislature.

4 seat in the gallery Of the House Of Dele
gates on last Thursday uig t aud Friday morn
Ing, enabled me to witness the sceucs in that
body previous to its recent adjournment: The
members are elegantly arranged in the House.
Those with loud voices are at the greatest dis
lance from the speaker. The cr pples are close
to the main aisle The colored statesmen are
congregated on the left Of the speakers char
and are interspersed with a sprnkllng OF whites.
Those who were also members Of the late Con-
stitutional Convention are seated togcther.-
This was done by way of especial distinction.
The delegates from this county and Fairfax
have been assigned very eligible seats, near
the colored members. The assignment was
without recourse and these gentlemen will
stand it.
I could but regret the character of many Of
the speeches delivered on the subject OF sus-
pending payment Of the semi annual interest on
the public debt. due LIST Of january next. It's
''ominous of Il bad sign to hear members Of a
Virginia Legislature handy epithets and talk
about reputation. One of the Valley men,
bers charged the Richmond delegation with Il
desire to finger in the public crib, just because
the gentlemen representatives Of that glorious
old city, favored the payment OF the public debt
interest, on the ground that the people OF the
State had paid their taxes Tor that purpose and
the money was now in the public treasury, and
the credit of the State in the money markets
of the world would be thereby preserved. All
this is wrong Every one who Is acquainted
with the gentlemen who represent Richmond
in the Legislature, knows that they are the
beers of any in point OF honesty, Intelligence
and high character. And it would surprise you
to see with what hlppancy and ease some OF
the speakers accused and convicted the prece-
dug Legislature Of bribery and corruption. |
red in the House last session, has not wrought
some serious disqualification?
The speech of the member from Fauquer on
the bin offered by himself, was characterized
with signal ability and was worthy of being de-
livered in the House in its palmiest days. The
others, made by members who said they We're
born aud wanted to be buried in Virginia. gen
orally were dry, aud the amount of water con-
sumed during their delivery would Indicate the
degree to which they were calculated to create
thirst.
They decided to draw their pay during the
ten DAYS recess. Consequently. on their return
each member will draw over sixty dollars, for
his labors during the recess, at al aggregate
cost to the State of some eight thousand dol
hrs-all for Christmas frolics. This is the first
act in the chapter of ,etrenchment, am hap
py and not surprised to see that Major Kelly.
one of the ablest members of the House, ia
vors reduction of the pay of the members,
from S. to 81 per day ,aud the mileage from %
cts to ~ cts. per mile.
The doors of the House are heavily guarded.
1t is easier for needle to 90 through u camel's
eye than for any person, who Is not member,
to get on the floor of the House while it is in
session. There are some good members in the
House none ADLER than the DISTINGUISHED
chairman of the finance committee. The del
egates from Fairfax and Stafford and the Con-
sentative member from your city, will make
prominent and useful members
As the Senate was guarded by a..citizen of
color and some member within was delivering