The Virginian

A SENATORIAL SCENE.

During the late debate in the Senate of the United States, on the bill respecting allowing a drawback on the exportation of cordage manufactured from foreign hemp, after Mr. Lloyd had finished speaking in an instructive and senatorial manner, "Mr. Dickerson thought that the argument of a merchant (alluding to the gentleman who preceded him) ought not to have so much weight as that of an unprejudiced legislator." Mr. Smith, of Md. asked if it was proper for a real statesman to make such a reply, as the gentleman from New Jersey had done, to say "that his was the argument of a merchant." I have listened to the arguments of the gentleman from Massachusetts with great pleasure, and I fully subscribe to all he has said, both in relation to the trade with Russia and the proposed measure. The honorable gentleman particularly emphasised the word "merchant." It struck my ear, said Mr. S. very unpleasantly—What, sir, is the argument of a merchant to have no weight? Have merchants no information or integrity? Mr. Smith replied with considerable warmth to Mr. D. who, he thought, had not acted the part of a true legislator, in the course of his observations.

[N. Y. Com. Adv.