Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-12-29
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, I848.

Old Pennsylvania has broken ground to day
on the tariff question. The House having
gone into Committee Of the Whole on the ref.
erence Of the Presidents message, Mr.. Ramsey
moved to refer so much Of it as relates TO the
subject Of the revenue and tariff TO the COM
rHllIee on manufactures. This was at once un-
derslood and accepted as the challenge TO gem
eral discussion Of the time honored question Of
protection as opposed 10 free trade. Among o.
Iher members who addressed the Commiuee
were c. j. lngersoIl aud Mr.. Thompson, Of
Erie, both OF whom are among The secondary
lights Of democracy. The latter is fast ap.
proaching the end of his torluruus and eccen-
Irc career, and what he says upon this or any
question is Of Tlule consequence. Indeed |
have observed the singular lack Of considera.
lion and Difference which has attended the latter
course Of This ancient politician. He was in "a
vor Of protection, however, so far as could be
gathered from his rambling and poness re-
marks. MIR. Thompson seemed to be in favor
Of u return to The tariff of l042, with specific
duties, but without The minimum valuations.
Mr.. Horace Greeley took occasion to address
the committee. He handled the Presidents
message with great and deseTed-scveriiy. Ife
said that Mr.. Polk devoted three columns ofhis
last annual message to plea in behalf of de.
fealed party the whole of which consisted Of
an indictment Of nearly all the Presidents and
ilus,rious public men who had gone before him,
accusing them of secret hostility to republican
equality, aud with being in favor of the creation
of an arislocracy and privileged class.
lie would refer his charges to the committee
on manufactures, because they had the time to
prepare a fitting answer to them, to be laid be.
fore the country, which the committee on ways
and means had not. Mr.. Vnlon showed that
twenty years ago, il was the custom to refer such
questions as the tariff aud revenue to the COM
millee on manufactures. Tho Democrats, of
course, generally preferred the committee on
ways and means.
The House adjourned without taking any
question.
In the Senate there was u long conversation
rathOr than debate over the alleged contract be-
tween the government of New Grenada and
Aspinwulf Chauucey aud Stephens, for the con.
slruclon Of railroad across the lslhmus of
Panama. Mr.. Benton produced a copy in a
Spanish newspaper of Iheconlracl wilha French
Company, said 10 have been assigned to these
parties, but Gen. Cameron said roundly aud
blutly that he did not believe that they had
any contract, and that there was no reason in
the world why the privilege Of making road
across the lslhmus should not be left free TO the
competition of all those disposed to attempt il.
Ii was at length concluded TO defer the further
consideration of the subject until the true con.
lrucr if any there be, should be produced. The
indications are toleruby clear and plain, iha,
this project will not even 60 through the Senate.
In the House it stands as much chance us a rail.
road to The north pole.
The Senate held an executive session of an
hour in length, during which understand there
was some conversation over Mr. Sewers nomi.
nation, bu' no confirmation of anybody.
JUNIUs.