Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-04-04

The principal subjects which had been
bofcre Congress upto our last advices are
the River and Harbor bill, mileage and
pay Of msmbsrs, the question of notice in
the Senate, and the libel case upon that
body publithed BY the Times.
Ths the River and Harbor bill will
pass Congress in some shape there is no
dodbt, but in what shape, or where the
appropriations viii be bestowed, it is ut
terly impossible to tell. We may conjec-
ture fram past experience, that the East
win get large proportion Of them, and
that the West will be put off with the mese
csans. The grand difficulty is, that every
member claims portion for his own Sec
tion. and these several portions amount to
such a sum in the aggregate that no Con-
gress will consent 10 pass such bill and
make such extensive appropriations at any
one session. The great art in getting ap-
preparations, therefore, is by system of
log-,of;ng. The indications are now, that
no amount sufficiently large will be appro-
psiaied for the Mississippi. The whole
river may get $5o,O0O. Let us become
State, 50 that we can be placed in suita-
bic attitude to fight for it.
The mileage and pay Of members is be-
iag discussed at some length by the House,
though we think it will amount to nothing.
Various moves have been made, among
which is one TO draw FIVE dollars per day
instead Of eight. Mr.. Bowlin proposed
that no member should draw pay unless
he was present in the House, absence BY
sickness, or order Of the House on Con-
gressicasi business excepted. Absence
Il The calling Of the roll to constitute him
an absentee, unless the records Of the
House should show legal excuse. This
ought to prevail. 1t will not however, and
we do not think any 6nal action will be
had on the subject, .hst is in the shape Of
altering the present order Of things.
The question Of notice still remains in
uncertainty. The opinions OF the opro-
sition members are SO discordani, that it is
utterly impossible 10 tell in what shape
the notice will finally pass that body.
There is rumor that compromise has
been made, : treaty concluded, based on
M. Folks offer. We fear this is SO, we
dread the disgrace it would bring uEon
The country, and the force which such an
example Of yielding away our territory
would have onthe future legislation of this
country. We will not believe it until f5r-
ced to but If such treaty is concluded
then let its authors take ito consequences
As for u we solemnly protest against'it
The libel upon the Senate consisted O
certain charges Of collusion with the Bit.
ish Minister upon the Oregon question b,
certain members Of the Senate. Its amoan
was, that Pakenham and Senators wer,
co-operaiins to have the Oregon comlIro
missed. These charges have been dull,
investigated BY committee of the Senate
Who have reported that they were ground
less and false. We hope so; further!w
would not say. Men who have such
eerdid understanding with Englishrae'
who propose. in case Of war, to give gu
women TO be the wives and mistresses Q
,negros, our property to serve them, pn'
our men 10 be their slaves-such t,el
might vay eonseisncioIsly speak a few tad
visatory words in the ear Of an Englisl
Plenopotentiary.