The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-10-23
AN HOUR WITH THE LAWMAKERS.

After witnessing for three days of last
week, the dust, display and commotion
upon the Fair Grounds, we were con-
scious of a desire for a change of pro-
gramme. Accordingly, in company
with a friend who was actuated by q
like wish, and who never misses an op-
portunity to realize and enjoy an ad-
venture, we took passage in a hack
bound for the Capitol, giving orders to
be driven to the Legislative Chambers.
Arriving in due time at the place des-
ignated, we alighted, and proceeded to
mount the stairs, which frequent ad-
journments have rendered familiar to
the feet Of our august lawmakers, and
after moments hesitancy as to which
branch Of the honorable body there as
sembled should be the recipient of our
visit, we turned to the right, and enter
ing, took seats within the bar of the
Lower House. Judging from the atten-
tive manner in which the members, in
cluding the Speaker, were perusing the
newspapers, we should say that the hour
u OuE dIElNdl WIS OlC OA
import. So far as we were able to see,
"deliberation and public care" had not
caused any additional furrows to be en-
craven upon the cOuntenances of these
jealous workers for the public veal
since our visit three weeks before. We
amused ourself for time by pointing
out to our friend the chief opposers of
the Woman Suffrage bill, and marking
the exceedingly devout aspect of those
who come up so valiently to the help of
the Lord against the mighty, when the
question of Woman Suffrage is sprung.
This review being soon completed, we
next endeavored-as becomes a possible
law-maker-to become interested In the
proceedings of the House. After some
minutes careful and patient attention,
in which many members announced
that they had changed their minds"
since yesterday upon the subject under
discussion, we finally discovered that
the Sample bill" had been resurrected
for the sole purpose, as it seemed, of Civ
ing these sample lords an opportunity
of making a display of sample" legis-
lation. As one after another arose, and,
calling for a moment the attention of
Mr.. Speaker from his newspaper, de-
clared that they had changed their
minds, and expressed their gratitude
that the House had given them a chance
TO record their votes upon the opposite
side Of the question which they had in
childlike ignorance and innocence sup
ported on the previons day, the convic-
tiOn forced upon us by precept and edu-
cation that acoDlen only change their
minds, took precipitate and permanent
flight Certainly these wavering solons
gave that day on the reconsideration of
that Sample bill" a sample of indecis-
ion for which a like body of women
would have been numerically ridiculed.
When the question was put on Thurs
day, "Shall the bill pass ?" the ayes
numbered 43; the noes Is. And now,
on this momentous Friday, when, after
3 reconsideration, the bill was again put
upon its final passage, aye said 81; no
Sdlh o. @AlASA iAllc eAolOhuhAnB 4tNGist
of opinion was announced, the members
gleefully voted the afternoon to them
selves, in order that they might throw
of for brief space the weighty cares of
State, and as good little boys deserve to
do, take a half-holiday to attend the
Fair. As we slowly descended the
stairs on our way from the august
Chambers, where so much wisdom daily
congregates, we gathered from the fore
noon's display one crumb of comfort,
viz: Our solons are not changeless.
The next time the Woman Suffrage
bill comes up, handsome majority will
respond "aye," for conspicuous among
the changelings noted, are some of its
most violent opposers.
d., 4