The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-03

WASHINGTON, August j, 1913.
Bwsiwess of Congsss-7ae Ssnafe-Rairoad to

WASHINGTON, August ], 1913.
Bwsiw<ss of Congress-7ae Ssmafs-Ralroad to
Oregon.
With the termination Of he session staring
them in the face, and a vast quantity OF minor,
but scarcely less important business, pressing Tor
completion, both houses OF Congress seem now
resolved to relnquish the project of institutng
government for the, provinces. To extend our
laws over Oregon is the most they will do this
session-at least, such is the probability. Call
fomia and New Mexico are to be suffered to re-
main without protection and law, because neither
party will come TO terms on the slavery ques-
ton. The wing organ here, declares New
Mexico and California must be left to them
selves this session; and, as 1t is IN the power
of the majority of the house TO defeat all
efforts at compromise, 1t is probable the organ
speaks ca cafhedra. Mr.. Benton has introduced a
bill which, of course, will not obtain the support
of the Calhoun party, simply because it is Mr..
Benton's bill Indeed, there is not much in it, and
Mr.. Benton need not have made so much fuss
about 1t. 1t merely declares that the new provinces
shall remain under the laws that have heretofore
governed Them; but, as declaratory OF that uni
versay received principle, the bill is superfl,ous.
The Senate is every day making most disgrace.
full exhibitions OF indiscrenon and folly. Mr..
flanagan, on Saturday, gave notice that he would
Introduce bill tor the government OF the new ter
ritories; and yesterday, instead OF the BILL he en-
tertained the Senate with more than ordinarily
foolish speech-reading the body a lecture for fol-
lies Of which he has been among the most guilty.
Mr.. Breese, trembling for his reelection, tres
what Will make him most popular, and at length
hits upon resolution, giving three months extra
pay 10 the soldiers; IN order 10 make as much ca
ptal possible out of 1t, he obtains, through Mr..
Polk, In whose service he has worked hard, an
editorial notice OF this resolution In the organ, and
copies of that organ are distributed sin numbers
numbe ress," through Illinois. Mr.. Polk, Ill or
deing he publication, has two ends in view-to
oblige faithful servant, and at the same time to
help 10 defeat the election TO the Senate OF man
who scorned 10 purchase his influence by lending
himself 10 be an instrument OF baseness In the
Pillow affair.
The bill granting certain portions OF the public
lands TO MIR. Whitney, Tor the purpose of construct
ing raili DAD 10 Oregon, was virtually killed on
Saturday. Mr.. Benton opposed it on three grounds
first, that he himself had written on the subject
thirty years ago (about the time he read Humboldt
and studied the art OF war; before MIR. Whitney
had thought Of it: secondly, that the country
should be surveyed; and, thirdly, that Mr.. Whit
ney is not as wealthy as John Jacob Asor, de.
ceased. The deductions from those premises
Mr.. Benton did not draw, but they are sef-evi.
dent first, that he himself, as first discoverer OF
this scheme, has prior right to the contract, if
any be made; secondly, (and this is rather a
corollary than a deduction) that somebody, who
has been over the ground before, is the best per-
son to survey IL ; and, thirdly, that Mr.. Whitney,
not berg quite wealthy as the late John Jacob
Astor is not be trusted This not the first time
MIR. Benton has drawn most rldculously contu-
melious distinction between the rich and poor
contractor, to the prejudice OF the latter. Such
words from the lips OF democratic Senator, are
not only absurd, but indecent. | speak not of the
merits of Mr.. Whitney's project, That subject has
been fully discussed, and the legislatures OF
eighteen States have spoken in favor of it but il
is most strange doctrine for democratic Sena-
tor to advance in his place. that man is not to be
trusted because he has not superfuity of worldly
wealth. Mr.. Breese, too, voted against this bill in
in contradiction of his own report 1t is amusing
to see Senator making long report in favor of a
measure one session. and voting against 1t the
next but such contradictions and inconsistencies
aye mere triles with Mr.. Breese. GAlvIENsIs