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LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS
CARSON, February 16, 1864
Mayor Arick, Joe Goodman, George Birdsall, Young Harris, and other solid citizens of Virginia arrived at 3 this morning, having left home at midnight. They came down to see how the Capital question was going. Send a lot more down - the more the merrier, and the greater degree of interest is exhibited. Virginia seldom does things by halves - she generally comes out strong when she takes hold of a question. - MARK.
. . . . . .
Mr. McDonald moved a recess.
Mr. Clagett hoped the motion would not prevail. He wished to go on with the regular business - introduction of bills etc. [Sensation among opponents to the removal of the Capital.]
The motion was lost.
Mr. Clagett moved a call of the House. [Numerous objections.] The motion was carried - ayes 7, noes 5.
After a moment's delay, Mr. Dixson moved that further proceedings under the call be dispensed with. Lost.
The absentees, Messrs. Ungar and Curler, were brought forward and excused, and further proceedings under the call were then dispensed with. Mr. Phillips moved a recess. Lost-ayes 9, noes 1l.
Mr. Clagett then, pursuant to previous notice, introduced an Act to locate
permanently the Capital of the Territory. [At Virginia - that city to provide
suitable buildings for 5 years at her own cost, before October 1, 1864 -
otherwise the Act to be null and void.]
The bill was read in answer to numerous calls.
Mr. Elliott moved that the rules be suspended and the bill engrossed for a third reading.
Mr. Dixson strenuously objected, and said he couldn't see the object of rushing this bill through with such indecent haste. [Behold the virtuous member from Lander - the heart of the same being in Carson. - MARK.]
Mr. Ungar moved to refer the bill to the Storey delegation, with instructions to report forthwith.
Mr. Phillips moved to amend by substituting the Gold Hill portion of the Storey delegation.
Mr. Clagett hoped the amendments would be rejected and Mr. Elliott's motion agreed to, and in his remarks called attention to the fact that Ormsby county made a written pledge last year that she would furnish free halls to the Legislature from and after that session - but had violated her pledge, inasmuch as those same County Commissioners have charged and received $500 for the halls now being used by the Assembly.
Mr. Dixson did not want things rushed so - he wanted things printed; he didn't know anything about things, and he wanted time to gain information. He couldn't see what members meant by springing things in this way. [Emotion, indicative of the distress which a Lander member with his heart in Ormsby must naturally feel when he sees an attempt made to ravish Carson against her will.]
Mr. Dixson sat down weeping, and snuffling, and wiping his nose on his coat sleeve. [That's a joke of mine - he had a handkerchief with him. -MARK.]
Mr. Tennant called for the reading of Ormsby's pledge, and Mr. Clagett got it from Mr. Calder, and read it.
Mr. Stewart made an eloquent appeal in behalf of Ormsby county, and moved as a substitute to the three or four motions already before the House, that the bill be referred to a special committee, to consist of one member from each county, with instructions to report to-morrow morning. Carried; on a division - ayes 13, noes 4.
The Speaker appointed the committee as follows: Messrs. Clagett, Stewart, Curler, Dean, Elliott, Gove, McDonald, Tennant and Partridge.
[reprinted in Mark Twain of the Enterprise, edited by Henry Nash Smith, (Univ. of California Press, 1957), pp. 167-69.]
