As Regards
Washington, This Good Result May Be Assisted By A Salutary Practice
Which, As I Was Assured, Prevails There.
A member gets his speech
printed at the government cost, and sends it down free by post to
his constituents, without troubling either the House with hearing it
or himself with speaking it.
I cannot but think that the practice
might be copied with success on our side of the water.
The appearance of the members of the legislature of Pennsylvania did
not impress me very favorably. I do not know why we should wish a
legislator to be neat in his dress, and comely, in some degree, in
his personal appearance. There is no good reason, perhaps, why they
should have cleaner shirts than their outside brethren, or have been
more particular in the use of soap and water, and brush and comb.
But I have an idea that if ever our own Parliament becomes dirty, it
will lose its prestige; and I cannot but think that the Parliament
of Pennsylvania would gain an accession of dignity by some slightly
increased devotion to the Graces. I saw in the two Houses but one
gentleman (a Senator) who looked like a Quaker; but even he was a
very untidy Quaker.
I paid my respects to the Governor, and found him briskly employed
in arranging the appointments of officers. All the regimental
appointments to the volunteer regiments - and that is practically to
the whole body of the army* - are made by the State in which the
regiments are mustered.
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