the
committee which had reported the resolution, but he had never heard of it
till that moment, the scheme had been 'sprung' upon him. The chairman of
the committee replied to this, that, since the other regiments had had
colors given them by the city, he did not suppose that any one could
object to these remaining five receiving the same compliment, and
therefore he had not thought it worth while to summon the gentleman.
'Besides,' said he, 'it is a small matter anyhow;'--by which he evidently
meant to intimate that the objector was a very small person. To this
last remark, a member replied, that he did not consider $4000 so very
small a matter. 'Anyhow,' he added, 'we oughter save the city every
dollar we kin.' Mr. Pullman resumed. He stated that the Legislature of
the State, several months before, had voted a stand of colors to each
infantry regiment in the State; that the distribution of these colors had
already begun; that the five regiments would soon receive them; and that,
consequently, there was no need of their having the colors which it was
now proposed to give them. A member roughly replied, that the colors
voted by the State Legislature were mere painted banners, 'of no
account.' Mr. Pullman denied this. 'I am,' said he, 'captain in one of
our city regiments. Two weeks ago we received our colors. I have seen,
felt, examined, and marched under them; and I can testify that they are
of great beauty, and excellent quality, made by Tiffany & Co., a firm of
the first standing in the city.' He proceeded to describe the colors as
being made of the best silk, and decorated in the most elegant manner.
He further objected to the price proposed to be given for the colors. He
declared that, from his connection with the militia, he had become
acquainted with the value of such articles, and he could procure colors
of the best kind ever used in the service for $375. The price named in
the resolution was, therefore, most excessive. Upon this, another member
rose and said, in a peculiarly offensive manner, that it would be two
years before Tiffany & Co. had made all the colors, and some of the
regiments would have to wait all that time. 'The other regiments,' said
he, 'have had colors presented by the city, and I don't see why we should
show partiality.' Whereupon Mr. Pullman informed the board that the
_city_ regiments would all be supplied in a few weeks; and, even if they
did have to wait awhile, it was of n