Middletown transcript., 1873-04-26
Catching q Tartar.

The Legislature OF Pennsyivania, than
which a more corrupt, shameless and des-
reputable body, perhaps, never assembled,
adjourned last week. For several years
past il has been the custom, Of the law
makers Of the Quaker Commonwealth to
indulge in a session Of fuu-making and
unbccoming levity and mcrriment just
previous to adjournment On this occa-
sion the hilariiy Of the lower House was
carried to n greater extent than usual
and in imitation OF the Phlistines Of old.
they sent for that Samson Of the Senate.
Col. Mcclure. to make fun for them 10
the way Of a speech. Their request was
gratifcd the Col. came aud literally
pulled the temple Of sarca.m down upon
their heads; showing up their rascnli'y
in manner that speedily turned their
mirih to the other side Of their faces
The Senator spoke as follows:
Mr. Speaker and Commoners Of the
State Of Pennsylvania thank you for
the distinction you have conferred upon
me BY your invitation to address you on
the subject Of reform | know Of no
other body Of men. either Of the present
or past that needs instruction on the
necessity Of both public and private NOR
ai,v so much as the Hoise Of Reprecn-
ta,ves Of this State now before me
| (aurh,er)--or that has So broadly and
deeply experimental in the line Of ina-
vidunl and official proficacy daughter
4 and arplausc) am not surprised. how
/ ever. that it is so. when ] consider that
/ Of the members serving in this House
/ from my immediate locality, many we're
no, even nominated, aud few, II any. we're
elected. (Shouts of laugh,er.) | SEN,
you Niorm bills. which cost me may days
Of anxious though, and labor to perfect,
but you danced no, when pipcd to you.
neither did you wccp responsive to my
mourning over the dcgcncracy of the
body polite. | must admit. however.
that you wore prompt exccn,ioners. for
every bill that looked towards reform was
ncga,ivcd with veil ns f,s. ms rules
would allow But in political as often
in moral aud religious cycles. the dark
est hour is jus. before the dawn Of day :
and i, is gratifying that after you have
consummated all the harm you can posi-
bly, intiirt upon the State. YOU have by a
un nimous resolution called for couf.s-
sor. daughter II was we'll to pause
thus, just for the sake Of novelty or refer
ence, so that when the tempest breaks
you can point to this becoming act Of con.
triton for the wrongs done to your con
siitutcnts and the Commonwealth (Ap-
plausc and sarcastic shouts Most of
you who have for three mouths been sery-
ing in the places to which other persons
were elected hv the people have discount
cd the rctribu,ive wave Of popular repro
baton by creating offices by legislative
enac,mcn's, to which vou hope to retire
and those unproviacd for hope to be
placed on the indefinite payroll Of the
pastors and folders Of the House, in ac-
cordance with the prevalent custom here
to pension dccaycd statesmen. Shouts Of
laughter That you seek liberal counsel,
to have good seed sown in the chaos Of
virtue that surrounds you is a hopeful
sign Of the times and. il YOU do no, cheat
US more than 50 600 in Philadelphia mex,
fall. the places that know you now will
know you no more forever daughter
But | turn to the faint silver lining OF
the deep cloud Of your record One nc
Of this House gladlcned the hearts Of h,
whole people Of the State and rcinspired
hope throughout the length and hroad,l
Of the Commonwealth. | refer TO YOU
vote in the midst OF disorder that. at
Philadelphia FIRE. would be called riot
on Monday evening last. fixing an earl,
day for your final adjournment Langh
ter and applause ! have heard Of NJ
citizen of the State who did not hearth,
approve Of that act, GLaugh,er an
! happy to poin, to it as the oasis in ih
r wi,hcred desert that you have made abou
YOU, and to aecord you credit for it. Hop
ing. gentlemen. if may be pardoned tn
use Of the tcrm-t -tLaughtcr)--that tn
length Of your lives may correspond will
1 the measure Of your virtues, and that yo
will be succeeded by better men ,ha
y yourselves. I bid you good night. Th
Senator retired amid roaring applause an
d a liberal shower of paper balls.
$ Long before the Colonel closed his ad
n drcss the gentlemen who had called him
r became sensible that they had "caught
Tartar" and when he ceased they didn
: eneore him worth cent.