The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-19
INTELLIeENCE BY THE SAILs
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, lS4S.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, lS4s.
AMOUNT Of Work done in Congress.
Things here seem all to be going Sat skies and
sevens," about these days. Neither union or
concert of action exists in any of the political
parties, If we except the abolition" party of
John P. Hale, consisting of one in the Senate,
and two in the House of Representatives-these
latter not having become so cumbrous and I'M
wieldy as not to be moved in any given way
But OF the others, 1t reminds one of the honest
Dutchman's reply to the enquiry of a sovereign"
constituent, on his return home from the Penn
syivanla Legislature, as to what the assembled
wisdom OF Harrl sburgh had done during the ses-
sion. "Why, toes'nt know vat oder people
done, but knows made two hundert tolars %
We fear, that for want of better, numbers of
the present Congress would have to make SINH
lar answer to the people, when they Z" rest from
their labors"
While the heads of departments are engaged
night and day, In the arduous task of keeping the
wheels OF government on the track" denying
themselves, In some cases, even ordinary rest
and sleep, IN maturing plans for supplying the
" sinews of war;" and maintaining the honor
and credit of the American nation, it is sad to
say, that in the popular branch" of Congress
particularly, little disposition seems manifested
to put the shoulder to the wheel In aid of the
financial officers of the government. The ma
jority" seem determined to postpone everything
save manGuvrlng and plotting for the next presi-
Dental campaign. Nothing comes up--even
where despatch is of vital moment-but it is de-
bated ad nGuseam, and finally passed over by
common consent, for a more convenient sea-
SON"
The minority" too, seeming to rejoice over
fancied freedom from responsibility" with
regard to any measure on the tapis, are, with
some envlable exceptions, often either absent
from their seats, when some important vote is to
be taken, or, II present, seem nattentive specta-
tors merely, OF what Is going on before them. In
view of the great interests involved, and the ne
cessity for consultation, hardly one third of the
members can be induced to attend caucus,
while most OF those who do get together, seem
to renew Babel-like confusion of tongues"
upon any topic which may be proposed.
1t Will be recollected that Secretary Walker
who, by the way, is certainly the "little Napo-
leon OF hnance, overcoming and subdulng OBJ
stacles pretty much as the Corslcan surmounted
the mighty Aps-in his late report, recommend
ed a moderate tax on tea and coffee, to meet the
increased disbursements occasi oned by the exist
ing war. No one, knowing the patriotism of the
American people, Will tor a moment doubt that
they would cheeriully contribute to pay the ex-
penses incident to acontest which has covered
our arms with untading glory, and won tor us
foremost place among the proudest nations OF
the earth, or that they would acquiesce in any
lmpost, which would afford the necessary guar
anty for the prompt payment of interest on any
loan which the government might be authorised
to contract; and yet, this suggestion, emanating
affairs OF the country and entitled to entire con-
fidence, Is treated with indifference; and ''pro-
crastination, the thief of tlme," seems to blind
the representatives of the people to the urgent
necessities of the treasury.
In this crisis, to you, as one of the watchful
guardians OF the public veal, appeal for an et-
fort to rouse the slumbering good sense and pa
trlotlsm OF our Lawmakers. A free press Is, in
deed, mighty engine; and when brought to
bear upon abuses, seldom fails to eradicate them
Let your influence be exerted to bring order out
of confusion, and doubt not that it will be inn
mediately productive of the most salutary eff
fects. ARLINGTON.