Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-11-24
RPOAETEGAHl.
Correspondence ofthe ". Y. Daily Advertiser.
WASHINGTON, November u, 1881.

w ASH loN, tNoNetnDer IL, 1901.
There has been 4 great dcarth OF runner and
speculation in this city, for some weeks past.
The subjects of tho Message, and the election of
Speaker, begin to occupy much of the public atten
ton and conversation. 1t is expected that the
Presidents Message viii open with very tiorid de-
scription Of the prosperous state of foreign
lations and very significant references To the
agency which Gen. Jackson's wisdom and hrInness
have had in the production OF this result. The
MESA will, without doubt, be an electIoDcertng
paper; and great ussiduy will be exhibited in cir
culating it extensively and generally throughout
the country, with view to operate on public sem
timent, and to affect the popular vote Ill November
next. The state of our finances, the increased
revenue, the diminished debt, the distribution of
the surplus revenue, will be fruitful topics for
largcment and congratulation-But the Bank.
What of the Bank! 1t is the common opin-
ion that little, or nothing, will be said concerning
it. The people will he left to speculation and
Inference. Nor is it believed that the President
will be very prodigal of his recommendations of
measures. He has been unfortunate i'll his former
suggestions, and perhaps may assume a discreet
chariness at the ensuing session. Mr.. Barry, his
system Of economy. his plans for facilitating and
expsdting the means OF communication throughout
the country and his general attention to business.
vii! probably be descartcd on; but not 4 syllable
will be suffered to escape the subject of the
liberal presents made by iavorc contractors to the
Postmaster General and his Assistants. Horses
and carriages may nowadays be had for the mere
condesccntion of riding in them; but it may natu-
enough
manner III which contracts are given, If the lowest
biddr in agc such universal competition as this
may afford TO throw away superiluous thousand in
the purchase of presents for those who it is to be
presumed, act only in compliance with the spirit
and the strict letter of the law. OF what avail is
it, that in the higher departments Of the govern
mcnt, the law prohibits the receiving of presents
! if in the Post Office the practice of giving and
receiving is to be permitted? 1t is to he feared that
we are travelling the road of corruption at a
! ho,, hat pfl,n
! for application in this official paper must depend
| in some measure, on the invention of the cabinet
and, in either degree, on the designs which Gen
Jackson may have in vicw--thc main one Of whcI
| will be his own re election.
On the subject ofa Speaker, thore is much specr.
lation and uncertainty. 1t has been believed, that
the friends of Mr.. Calhoun would put up III un o5;ec
tionabc candidate, the other portion of the opposi
ton would 90 with them. know not whether thi
would secure the election of an opposition Speaker
The nomination of Mr.. Sutherland Of Philadephi;
was at one time, whispered as possible, and it ma
be that the Pennsylvania representatives, voting
for him, might incline the scale decidedly as tC
score his election. But as the Tclerra ph-th,
Calhoun organ-sccms to be so impotuously taking
ground against Mr.. Clay, and to shcw so nucI
leaning towards Mr.. Writ, it begins to he doubtct
whether tho friends Of the former will consen
to union viii 4 ;~rtv which is thu
| anxious TO assume an adyc.a..,' : position
| IL is impossible TO to any conclusion on thi
question. 1t is impossible to forcsec with wha
minds tho members may come hither; what d iii
cutics may arise to impede any harmony of action
have myself seen too much OF these dflicultie
to look forward with any extraordinary confidenc
to the contamination of any union of the Anti
JACKSON members at early a reriod. FcriG D
Mr. Clays presence would have, it always ha
had, very conciliatorv effect the parties. Tn
| great object will be to the appointment O
able and impartial committees, for it is upon then
that the main measures of the session will dcpcn
for their tone and character. 1t is certain tina
The last Speaker has done little to elevate the cha
ractor Of Congress.
| give have had inefficient committees in which Their
was no basis TO rest upon the chairman, in man
instances, being selected without reference to al
other qualification than his .Iacksonism- And a
to tic Hall, it has been converted into a mere the
roughfue. There has been indeed 10 rcgula
doorkcepcr for two sessions owing to the sickness
OF tho venerable incumbent; but yet more orGc
might have been prosc we'd, had il not been iha
any man who could find the entrance has been il
the practice Of walking in, and any member has e.
creised the right Of introducing u fricnd:-prac
tees altogether unknown before the reign Of Jacl,
son. a. Il.