The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-05-16
Matters and Things at Wash
ingtOn.
Correspondence of the Boston Atlas.
N1y z.....,..,a., NJ, a. 1g1(

The House succeeded IN getting quorum
Yesterday to proceed with the public business,
which il was not able to do the day before, ow-
ing to the absence of more than sixty Locoto-
cos In fact it is extremely difficult TO pro-
cure their attendance, except on occasions
when political capital is to be made by dema-
gogucism, or some prominent Wing is to be
assailed with calumny, then every man is at
his post, and every stew gives up its customer.
This evil has now arrived at such an extent,
that il is seriously mcdtated, to make tempo
rary order to do business in committee with
out a quorum. Will not Mr. Richie lecture
his friends, the McConnclls, the Chipmans,
the Dromgooles, and others Of that genus, up
on their notorious habits, and cndeavor TO pro-
duce something like reform in the popular
branch of Congress, More than five months
of this session have already passed away, and
yet but one singio pwbiie MEASURE of consc-
qucnce has been adopted; and that too, in di-
rect opposition to the views of the Executive,
the opinions of his organ, and the wishes of
a majority in one branch of Congress. The
rest of the time has been consumed in profit
gate assaults upon Mr. Webster, and other
movements injurious to the interests and hon
or of the country.
Quite a bclligcrent spirit against the cheap
postage system was manifested by Mr. Hopkins,
Mr. Mckay, and other leading locofocos, upon
the bill containing the appropriations of the
Post Office Department, which was taken up
yesterday; and it was announced that a meas
urc would be reported to increase the present
rates Thus is il, that this party takes every
occasion to make war upon any system calcu-
lated TO promote public intelligence, and to
difFuse useful knowledge among the poorer
classes of society. They would have the
masses kept in Ignorance, that they might not
read and Judge for themselves; aud therefore,
be more ready instruments in the hands ofthe
dGmagoguc and corrupt intriguer. If any
public laws oflate years may be said to have
been received with almost entire unanimity
by the people, il was that reducing the exor-
bitant rates of postage to the present cheap
and efficient system The argument, that ii
creates an expense upon the Treasury, has no
force, TO the merits and principles of the
reduction. If there is any department of the
Government which should be justly tax up
on the public revenue, il is that which spreads
enlightenment among the people, tends TO Gle
vate the moral and social condition of man,
and 10 fit him, not only for the enjoyment of
free institutions, Tut to administer the laws,
wisely and well Mr. Cave Johnson, who at
tempted to establish the reputation of an econ
omist, in Congress, by scandalous and indis-
criminate opposition to all private claims, and
to all liberal and beneficial legislation, which
did not affect the prosperity of his immediate
constituency, has carried the same narrow
minded policy into the department over which
he unftly presidcs. Believing, with Mr.
Chapman, that education is at war with de-
mocracy,' he desires to put a tax upon the dis
scmination of knowledge by raising the post
age to rates which amount TO an exclusion and
prohibition of the poor man. And just so is
managed the whole system of vile humbug,
miscalled "Democracy.' The people permit
themselves to be cheated with the shadow of
a name--and for bread receive a stone, when
ever the practical test is applied.
The House will not get at the tariff, until
the appropriation bills are out of the way
Then, it is understood that Mr. Mckay intends
to apply the screw of the previous question,
and to cut Off anything like reasonable and
proper discussion ofthe merits of the question.
II is hard to tell what will be the result ofthis
application. Two aspects are presented, nei-
ther carrying sufficient reason to warrant a
solid conclusion. Although many of our
friends express unlimited confidence in de-
feating Nc Kay's bill, l have not been able to
satisfy my own judgment of the probabilities
which are so convincing to others. ! have
not yet seen the figures to work out the re-
suit; and my impression is, the gag will rather
have the effect of bringing up the refractory
Locofocos TO the party standard, defined by
the Baltimore Junto.
The WdrSdw Courier announces, by order of
the Government, that "Te Deum" was to be
chanted in the cathedral of that city "0s a
fbapbs0jriDO To God for h1rjtg yertpiffeJ m,