Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-12-18
Wasbin9ton Correspondence.
WASHINGTON,

I
until Monday next In the previous time, the House
of Representatives had perfected its organization by
the election of B. B. French of New Hampshire, as
Clerk, Richie g. Heiss, publishers of the Union,
as printers Newton Lane as Sergeant-at-A Cor
nelius S. Whitney of Illinois as Doorkeeper and Jas
r. Johnson as Postmaster. Messrs. French, Lane
and Johnson held the places under the last Con-
gress.
The Senate has not yet elected its officers. eau
cuses were held Friday by members of each polit-
cal party, at which nominations were made, and the
election will probably come off on Monday or Tues
day The Democrats nominated for Secretary, the
Hon. JOS Sturgess of Georgia for printers, Messrs.
Richie g. Hess for Sergeant-at-Arms, Robt. Beale
of Virginia. and for Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms,
DIR. Seth Salisbury of Pennsylvania l did not learn
the nominations made by the Wings, further than
that Of Asbury Dickens the present incumbent for
Secretary The other questions attract but little in
terest compared to this which produces considerable
excitement on account of the great amount of money
patronage connected with 1.-THE number of clerks
dependent the Secretary and the ftars of some
and the hopes of others that of the democratic
Senators-particularly Mr.. Benton-w sustain Mr..
Dickens, notwithstanding his wing principles.
1t is understood that if a change Of the Principal
takes place. it viii be followed by change of all the
subordinates and that if Mr.. Dickens is continued,
all the dependencies will remain. For this reason,
if for no other, could hope that no democrat would
do such violence TO the wishes of his friends and the
rights of the pary-and may add the interest of the
public, for the reelection Of Mr.. d. But
look further. If the democratic Senators and Repre-
senatives coming 'fresh from the ranks of the peo
ple," have not the heart disposition to employ
their friends instead of their enemies, what grounds
have we for asking the administration to dispace any
Of the four hundred and odd wings in Office in
the various departments here
A warm debate occurred in the Senate on Thurs
day, on a motion to dispense with the rule, which
provides that standing committees shall be chosen by
ballot and TO give the power of appointing them to
the Vice President MeSsrs. Allen, Benton, Breese
Mangum, and some others took part in the debate !;
and the motion finally lost by the wings, masse
and Messrs. Bagby, Benton, Haywood, and Westcott,
voting in the negative.
On the same day, an interesting and on the whole,
very laughabe scene, occurred in the House of Rep
resentatives by the discussion, adoption, and carry
ing into effect of resolution, previously introduced
annulling the old rule, relative to the selection of
seats by the members, and disposing of them anew
bv lotterv II seems that the practice this year. I'M
der the previous rule, requiring each member to Sc
lect his seat "in person." and giving them the benefit
of the miller's rule first come, first serve, had
given great umbrage, The members of the last Con-
grsss who were reelected to this and who remained
the close of the last session. made their selections
before leaving the city, and some as after the
adjournment they could, Jump from their old seats
to those of their choice This forced new members
into Sleepy Hollow" and outside rows, which to
some was exceedingly disagreeable especially those
who have with the expectation of surprising the
nation with their eloquence, and who wanted good
place to 80 show off, "
rich, spicy and animated debate occurred on the
resolution but which cut short by the previous
question being called and sustained, and the resolu
ton adopted. Then came a scene, which no Hogarth
or Crukshank could improve upon. The two hum
dred and twenty-six names of members were placed
in box. and severally drawn outthe first drawn hav
ing the first choice, and Then might be seen
grave members and gay, josting each other, right
and left, up outside and down the middle, some
scoding, some laughing, some swearing (for men,
bers of Congress, find, swear,) Juggling arms
full of books and stationery, dropping, and then,
a bundle an ink-stand or wafer-box and in STOPPING
to gather this becoming stumbling block for others,
then rising and fastening tn another quarter where
/ they might enjoy 50 for better worse,' another
eighteen inch Office.
/ Among the amusing incidents, was that presented
by the celebrated Mr.. Mcconnell, from Alabama, who
had selected seat at the close of the last session,
and before he was known even a candidate for
election to this Congress. Failing in his opposition
to the resolution, he planted himself in his chair,
nouncing his intention to adhere it at all hazards
Fortunately for him, his was the first name drawn,
and consequently, he was enabled TO make good his
words, without interfering with the destinies of
others.
The Presidents message has been the theme Of
contemplation and remark, until the subject has be-
come exhausted-if theme so prolific, production
so rich can become exhausted. 1t is but weak ex-
preston of the fact say that message, from the
days of Washington down, has received so great an
amount of praise; kindled greater degree of en-
thusasm in the hearts of the American people. This
however, you have unquestionably read, in your ex
change papers-have seen every republican coun-
havo
james X. Polk is and acknowledge that he is not
the thrd-rate lawyer" they had represented him to
\ be in 1874.
| Nor are the documents which accompanied the
Message any less important less able productions
The correspondence with the British Government on
the territory West of the Rocky Mountains will show
to the world what claim, why claim ii, and
that we have done all that an honorable nation could
be asked to d. on the subject-and even more and
having done this much, no nation individual cam
in Justice say aught against us if we now suspend
diplomacy the subject and apply to the first law of
nature. 1t is seen that the offer. renewed BY Mr.
Buchanan, TO make the 10th parallel of latitude our
northern boundary, not accepted by the British
Government though / do not regret, nor can
condemn the policy which induced the offer to
be made. Had this offer been acceded to, the people
of this country would never have been satisfied
Knowing what belonged to them, they would never
have sanctioned the act Never will that day arrive
when the in the United States will be willing
TO surrender title of their rights British
gance or British cupidity. With them the motto is
-" not cent for tribute, but millions for defence :"
not one inch of American soil for temporizng diplo-
mocy, but oceans of blood, if necessary, for free
continent.
But the die is now cast. Diplomacy this subject
must now cease Itcan go no further and it rests
with Congress to decide upon those necessa-
ry to secure in the quiet possession of rights
and our people in the exercise of those prerOQatves