The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-16
The Doings In Congress-Thc Short Session
-Busfness on Hand.

rhe Doings In CoDgress-Thc Short Session
-Businsss on. Hand.
More than one week of the twelve allotted by
the constitution to this session of Congress has
passed away, and as ye, nothing done. Of all the
important measures presented for consideration,
notthe first movementhas been made towards per-
feeling any ofthem. We expect this session will be
like all others, the first eight or ten weeks will be
used up i'll debate, and the whole business of the
term will be crowded into the last two or four
weeks, and the acts passed sent as usual into the
world halt made up, and SO filed with defects
that repeal will be Immediately called for.
The most important business of the session will
be the devising of ways and means to carry on
the war with Mexico, should it be deemed best
to prosecute hostlites vigorously, or should it be
necessary to perfect the plan of attack recently
adopted by the war department. In that event,
men and money will be in great demand; and,
from present appearances, the first will be about
as difficult to raise as the last.
1t is anticipated by many that the two govern
ments will soon open negotiations in relation to
the questions at issue, and that peace is nearer at
hand than appearances would warrant the be-
lief This, however, is very doubtful, as eve ry
thing depends upon the policy Santa Anna intends
pufsuHSs anu inc success ne may meet Win IN
preparing the minds of the Mexican people for an
immediate cessation of hostlites. We have our
doubts as to the honesty of Santa Anna, in any
professions he may make or has made Of peacea-
bic intentions towards the United States; and
such is the impression we have of him as mill
tary leader, and # the Mexican people general
ly, that we have not the slightest expectation OF
peace beng obtained upon honorable terms, in
any other way than at the point of the sword, ,
and over the ruins of their principal towns.
In relation to the notifications of the tariff
everything, at present, is involved in much
uncertainty. The administration are in favor of
a duty OF twenty-five per cent upon tea and
coffee, and it is barely possible that the party in
Congress may adopt the suggestions of the execu.
tive and lay the professed duty merely for reve-
nue., provided it is understood to be but tempo.
rary thing. We say barely possible, for the
thing is hardly probable Many member, of
the democratic party in both houses of Congress
are bitterly opposed to the least duty upon these
articles, upon the ground that it would increase
the cost TO the consumers, and in that case fall
heavily upon the poorer classes. This impress.
sion will have very great influence, perhaps suf-
hcient to prevent the measure being adopted-
II would be easier TO put duty upon coal and
iron, as the duty in that case would not, it might
be argued, come so directly out OF the lower
classes.
Nothing has yet been done in relation to this
thing, and until the question is opened and debate
commences. we shall be in the dark. Our inn
preston is, that neither tea coffee will be taxed
although we have repeatedly proved that the
price to the consumers would not be enhanced,
nc hal 10 tha of
now at the command of the government.
Secretary Bachansn's New Consular sys-
tem.
The present consular system of the United
States has been the subject of severe animadver.
sion and censure, for number of yoars past, by
the mercantile community, as well as by the press,
in the principal Atlantic cities Formed a. i,
was while the commerce Of the country wa. tn,
fling and of little importance, and while our rela
tons with other parts OF the world ware not an
intricate and extensive as they now are, any apo
logy for consular sy stem might have answered
our purpose. But now that we have attained
commercial importance, second to no other ma
ton in the world, and while every sea, bay and
harbor in the habtable world, is frequented
by our navgators, and while we have become
rs well known as any other country, and our
relations extending to all, the old system
under which we have so long acted is
found to be utterly useless, unsafe and insufficient
Instead OF advancing our interests, and being a
complete digest and manual for the use of our
consus, It is so loose and imperfect, and requires
so much labor to examine and comprehend, that
IN majority Of instances, our consuls in foreign
countries, while deciding cases resulting from the
of
have been forced 10 base their decisions on their
own knowledge of right and wrong.
II appears that during almost every session o
Congress from the year 1903 to the presen, time.
lawso on the subject have been made; and incredi.
pie as It may seem, no compilation, no digest