Smyrna times., 1877-01-10
For tie SmyrRc Times.
The Legislature.
DOVER, Del, january N

I'1l-.' JdHudIN IUtn, 1871.
Inc presesnt week opened in very
dull manner, so far as legislative business
Is concerned, and there is little prospect of
any improvement during the balance of
the week. The members are not yet fairly
down to their work, and their law.seekinr
constituents still seem to be unaware of
what legislative dOctoring they stand in
need OF. a joint resolution fixing an early
date OF adjournment would probably arouse
the people and send food of petitions
and bills into both houses of the legislature
In the House, since my last, the ONLY
measure OF Importance spoken of, is an act.
which Mr.. Bird has given notice of his
intention to Introduce, providing for the
erection of State Work House. The bill
does not state where the work house will
be erected, but the proposed location is
New Castle. The sum provided to meet
the expenses of erecting the necessary
buildings is 100000, and it is further pro.
vlded that the conduct and mqnarant of
the institution shall be controlled by zen.
tlemen selected for that purpose from each
county OF the State. 1t is too early. as vet.
to speak Of the probable fate Of the bill.
The House, yesterday. passed a Joint
resolution, appointing joint committee to
repair the portrait of the late Commodore
Jones, owned by the State, and damaged
during the repairs to the State House.
This portrait is one Of five owned bv the
state, and a valuable work. having been
executed by Sully, the great American Dor.
trait painter. During the repairs TO the
State House the picture was damaged by
a careless workman, who dashed board
through 1t, and one Of the Superintcndents.
deeming 1t valueless, gave it to a carrentcr
employed at the building. From the latter
1t was purchased by Hon. Jos. 2. Comerys.
who recognized its value. and gave the car
penter five dollars for it, he probably being
only too glad TO avail himself Of such a lar.
gam. 1t is now proposed to secure the
return OF the picture to the possession Of
the Stata. and have it properly repaired.
In the Senate the joint resolution rclntiyc
~ Wv lIdtttI WIS litIu on tue table iOr
future consideration.
The election of a L. S. Senator 10 succccd
lion. Eli salisbury commences in the two
houses on Tuesday next, and will be con.
Hummated at Il joint session on the follow.
ing day. So far our worthy legislators have
given the subject little or no attention, and
there are no surface indications of anv
attempt to prevent the Honorable Eli from
succeeding himself. 1t is not even apprc.
hended that any other name will Lc pre-.
sented to the caucus, and the friends of
Senator Salisbury rest contentcd in the ex
pectation Of his unopposed reelection.
The Bennett May fasco, here as elsewhere.
is the general topic Of conversation, in lieu
of other interesting subjects. With the de.
tails the daily papers have already made
you familiar, and I will only add, by wav
Of improvement to the already disgusting
and overrated affair, the appropriate lines
in which the State House poet has apostro.
phized the great burlesque:
This is the tree that stood in the way
In the shady grove at Marydel
And prevented Bennett from shooting Nav
And sending an unwashcd soul lowell
I'll not say where. but this we know,
That the time for duels has passed away
And the code Of honor is only sought
BY those whO've no brains to lose in the fray"