New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-08-02
Amendments TO the Civil and Diplomatic Bill
In senate-Speech of Hon. Caleb smith.
Correspondence OF The Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Sunday, July 3

Correspondence OF The Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Sunday, July 30.
The Committee ON Finance in the Senate has
sricken out the item in the Civil and Diplomatic
Bill providing for clearing and obstructing IN the
savannah River, and their action will, in all prob
sbility, be concurrcd in by the Senate. Many in
hyor Of the appropriation for the purpose object to
is being incorporated in the Civil and Diplomatic
Bill am inclined to think that the House will
BOT insist upon inserting the appropriation 1t
will concedc something TO the desire of putting
these general appropriation bills through.
The Committee on Finance has also stricken out
the reduction by the House of mileage, or rather
is limitation TO certain sum. In this, 1t would
seem they have actly wisely because the pro
vision of mileage rs ii is by law, is the great
conservative feature of things as they are. IL
prevents all discussion at least all action as to
the removal OF the Seat OF Government,and makes
members the most remote iromthe political mctrop
els as attached TO the Union as those within ITS
immediate vicinity. Beside large distance from
the Seat Of Government induces greater expense
IN reaching It--expense which accumulatcs IN
seometrical proportion To tbs distance.
Probably moreover, the adoption of such pro-
position by the House proceeded FROM the seem.
Ing necessity in the minds OF certain members to
make some concession to the popular desire for
economical measures. The people, undoubtedly,
ove economy but not at the sacrifice OF the great
est interests of the country.
Mr. CALEB SMITH OF lad delivered speech
with even more than has usual eloquenoe, in Com.
miiiee OF the Whole House
He took ground against the extension OF Slavery
over any territory free. He commended that
Slavery should be prohibited from farther progress
BY positive enactment
He said that Southern members accused the
North OF throwing FIRE brand into the country by
the Introduction OF this question. But 1t was they
who introduced the firebrand, by their action to
ward acquiring new territory which they insisted
should be left open TO the ingresS OF Slaves.
At the time OF annexing Texas, II was under
stood, he said, that no Slavery should exist be-
yond 80 40 bat some of the territory claimed 10y
that State extended beyond that latitude
He commended there was no power under the
Constitution in Congress 10 extend slavery, and
enforced this poin, with strong arguments.
The only compromise IN the Constitution IN re-
gard 10 Slavery, was its liberation under that In
strument in States or Territories where II then
existed. There was no intention, no expectation
II would ever be extended over other territory.
Mr.. SMITHS speech was, in parts OF it, a run
nng night Members from the other side put
various questions at him. falling upon him like
volley OF artillery, which however far from dis
concerning him seemed Ia give him additional ami
nation and strength.
Withdrawal by lIr. flanagan Of hi. Bill, for
the Government Of New Territorie,-Mc.
tion Of MIR. Ashman for Printing the De.
bates-Passage Of the Naval Appropria.
tion Bill.
Correspondence of The Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Monday, July 81
Mr. HASSEoAS concluded not to introduce his
Territorial bill this Session, as he entertained no
hopes Of its being adopted by the House, aud he
was unwilling that his motive for introducing it
mo tie Senate should be considered other than an