The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-04-12
r. n. Conraa,s 1.as. s,iehm ona aet.er

r. n. COnrad's Hast Efchm ond Letter.
Correspondence OF the ChrlsiaDsburg Messenger.l
A GENERAL SURVEY COUNTRY AND cITY-IHE
THREE CLAssES-REFLECTIoss- OUR ROOM
MATHS.
Dear Garner, The advantages of going
to the Legislature are many. The least Of
them is the six dollars day, as 1t Is only
temporary. The members from The rural
districts, which embraces the large Dun-
Der, learn much which otherwise would
never be taught them. Some OF them come
with saddle bags and leave with new trunks !;
some come blowing their noses with their
fingers and leave with handkerchief in
the pocket; some come eager for an OPP
portuuty to vote against cities and city peo-
pie, and leave quite In love with theatres,
city life, and beaver hat. Some come be-
Iievlng a linsey dress is good enough for any
woman for every day and calico for Sun
day, and leave with twenty-tbree yards Of
silk in their pocket and q pound Of hair ! So
much for the demoralzing influence of con.
tact.
The members from the town and cities,
too, learn several things before two winters
.of association with the peoples candidates
are spent. They learn that hard sense and
mother wit are not confined TO paved streets
and marble steps that member may dis
dan white handkerchief, and spell the
name Of bis God with little 6, and yet be
too good foancier to support the Mch'n-
non proposition, aud too true to the people
to vote appropriations for centennial dis
PLAYS aud wildcat bureaus. They learn that
Staunton and Richmond can no longer spe-
city the items of the appropriation bill, nor
all fhD OBJ u n IN n hn
taX.bilI. This and more are learned by the
city members before session ends.
Sitting where do, where can command
a view of the House at a gance, have
learned to divide the members into three
classes-tbe voting, the spoutiDg, and the
walking members The first mentioned con-
tent themselves to remain in their seats,
listen until their conclusions are reached, and
then in business style give their votes. They
constitute g valuable csss. They look
drowsy sometimes, but who wouldn't? They
yaWp, and stretch, and sometimes groaD, but
they are always on band when vote Is
called. They are the Spartan band ever at
the pass, always armed cap.a.pie With
vote. /.
The second.class Ube spouters) are ever
ready to spring to their feet and spout. If
done conci$eIy, they would be an essential
class, but are so difuse, irrelevant, and
lengthy, that they can only be surpassed by
the Bedford "pender." If the Common
wealth lost nothing more than the per diem
of these members a protest might De out OF
order; but when it is remembered that
every hour expended in useless debate costs
the State heavily, forbearance is criminal.
These constitutional spouters, with diar-
rbnl of words and constipation Of ideas,
become chronic bores. Whenever they call
page to bring them glass of water yon will
soon see windmill running by water Or
whenever YOU see a new Code in their front
and foolscap paper scattered on the desk.
take up your morning paper and commence
to read, for the mill is on grind.
| The aforementioned class. the walking
members, With bat in hand and in single hle
can be seen either leaving the ball and re-
turning to it with the regularity OF trained
soldiers. Some tile left, with "Zetelle" as
The counterSign; Others file right, with
Monumental" as the word-all move
quickly, as Bumgardner is the standing or.
der to march. IL vote is suddenly called
you will see some demoraliz ton in their
ranks, as some can climb the steps OF the
capitol with greater speed than others. Some
of these walking members are spirited SET
of fellows, and of unique physique-Jug-
shaped, full.faced, great glow OF counte'
nance, and budding nose! Who that has
ever seen them will ever forget this jolly
band of walking "aIligators!" But to be
serious-thc session is now over, and the vo-
ting, spouting, and the walking members
have all gone TO their Glowing constituent
cies " to rehearSe their records. The two
winters have served many puTDl.eS and eX-
hibited life in MANY phases. Friendships
have been formed to last for life, and esti-
mates OF each other drawn which DO future
will ever change. The dodger, quibbler,
and trickster, as we'll as the frank, bold, and
decisive, are known to each other; the syco-
plant and parasite no less than the uncom'
promising and uDflinching; the revolving
satellite as we'll as the luminous pllne:.