292 MARK TWAIN'S SKETCHES. 



can be blind to the fact that he has lost more flesh during the week that we have 

 lain here than any among us — none of us can be blind to the fact that the com- 

 mittee has been derelict in its duly, either through negligence or a graver fault, in 

 thus offering for our suffrages a gentleman who, however pure his own motives may 

 be, has really less nutriment in him ' 



"The Chair: 'The gentleman from Missouri will take his seat. The Chair 

 cannot allow the integrity of the Committee to be questioned save by the regular 

 course, under the rules. What action will the House take upon the gentleman's 

 motion ."' ' 



"Mr. Halliday, of Virginia: 'I move to further amend the report by substi- 

 tuting Mr. Harvey Davis, of Oregon, for Mr. Messick. It may be urged by 

 gentlemen that the hardships and privations of a frontier life have rendered Mr. 

 Davis tough; but, gentlemen, is this a time to cavil at toughness? is this a time to 

 be fastidious concerning trifles ? is this a time to dispute about matters of paltry 

 significance .' No, gentlemen, bulk is what we desire — substance, weight, bulk — 

 these are the supreme requisites now — not talent, not genius, not education. I 

 insist upon my motion.' 



"Mr. Morgan (excitedly): 'Mr. Chairman, — I do most strenuously object to 

 this amendment. The gentleman from Oregon is old, and furthermore is bulky 

 only in bone — not in flesh. I ask the gentleman from Virginia if it is soup we 

 want instead, of solid sustenance .' if he would delude us with shadows.? if he would 

 mock our suffering with an Oregonian spectre "> I ask him if he can look upon the 

 anxious faces around him, if he can gaze into our sad eyes, if he can listen to the 

 beating of our expectant hearts, and still thrust this famine-stricken fraud upon us ? 

 I ask him if he can think of our desolate state, of our past sorrows, of our dark 

 future, and still unpityingly foist upon us this wreck, this ruin, this tottering swindle, 

 this gnarled and blighted and sapless vagabond from Oregon's inhospitable shores.' 

 Never ! ' (Applause.) 



" The amendment was put to vote, after a fiery debate, and lost. Mr. Harris was 

 substituted on the first amendment. The balloting then began. Five ballots were 

 held without a choice. On the sixth, Mr. Harris was elected, all voting for him 

 but himself. It was then moved that his election should be ratified by acclamation, 

 which was lost, in consequence of his again voting against himself. 



