"It is whispered that the Hon. Mr. Trollop has gone over to the pirates.

It is probably a canard. Mr. Trollop has all along been the bravest and

most efficient champion of virtue and the people against the bill, and

the report is without doubt a shameless invention."

Next day:

With characteristic treachery, the truckling and pusillanimous reptile,

Crippled-Speech Trollop, has gone over to the enemy. It is contended,

now, that he has been a friend to the bill, in secret, since the day it

was introduced, and has had bankable reasons for being so; but he himself

declares that he has gone over because the malignant persecution of the

bill by the newspapers caused him to study its provisions with more care

than he had previously done, and this close examination revealed the fact

that the measure is one in every way worthy of support. (Pretty thin!)

It cannot be denied that this desertion has had a damaging effect. Jex

and Fluke have returned to their iniquitous allegiance, with six or eight

others of lesser calibre, and it is reported and believed that Tubbs and

Huffy are ready to go back. It is feared that the University swindle is

stronger to-day than it has ever been before."

Later-midnight:

It is said that the committee will report the bill back to-morrow. Both

sides are marshaling their forces, and the fight on this bill is

The Gilded Age