Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-01-29
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.

The principal topic Of discussion in the Senate
the past week vas the Army Bill, upon which
some able speeches have been made. The pass
age Of the Ten Regiment Bill i involved in a
great dealof doubt. The well-informed cores
pondentpf The Philadelphia Ledger Loeo) thinks
il doubtful whether the bill can ever pass the Sc
nate, Notwithstanding the, large Administration
majority in thai body. IL it should squeeze
through, however, II will be defeated in the
House The President will be clothed with au-
+thoriiy, instead Of adding TO the Regular Army,
to call into service such additional volunteer force
as he may deem necessary This. most assured
", isal that the most ultra of herarsy can want,
unless their real is more for the benefit o party
than country Doubtless, Gen. Cas- Would not
be halt sosager for its passage did he not look 70
thai bin rs means Of building up a standing ar
my Of officers, whose services might be used 10
advantage in behalf Of himself and his party in
the Presidential contest instead 81 facing the foes
of their country in Mexico.
MIR. SEWER and, Mr.. Foote had alitte sparrirg
with John M. Clayton in which they were laid
cut as '.eold as wedge and when next they
attempt to take that able statesman to task,
they win inthrn themselves little better on the
subject they propose to discuss. The subject was
in reference to the course pursued by Mr. Jeffer-
son and the Republican party in 1903 with
regard toIlhe Louisiana and Florida territory.
The House of Representatives has been con-
tsidering The reference ofthe Presidents Message
which Subject seems not 10 be wholly exhausted
ns yet Mr. Bedinger of thistiistrict addressed
the House whilst this subject was pending on
Tuesdaylast, in defence OF the President in with
hding tue instructions 10 Mr.. Slidell, called fol
blythe late resolution of the House; and also in
support ii the war and the general policy of The
Administration. He spoke Of Santa Annals has
lty retreat from before the small force Of Gen
Honston in Texas. and, his subsequent capture
in1He fork Of a tree. He recalledto the rccollec
ton Of members, Santa Annals sudden abandon
ment Of his dinner at Cerro Gordo. He alsc
quoted some humorous half Latin and half Eng
lish verse, ludicrousy descriptive OF the Mexi
can General, and expressed his surprise that 8
much had been said of the return Of such man
Bit he also justified the Presidetse FOR permttia:
his return, oh the ground ttat he was the enem,
Of Paroles, aIsoidier By profession and monarch
ist in principle and was proceeding TO speak o.
this subject when his allotted time expired.
On ajoint resolution, authorizing the appoint
menr OF more Clerks in one ofthe Executive De
apartments, Mr. Andrew Johnson, Of Tennessee,
member OF Mr.. Polk's own party, fell pell mel
10 abusing the Governmeato office holders in Wash
ington, until he made the Hall echo with his ter
tribe denunciaiions
The discussion on the ARMY Bill wasfcontin
Ened in the Senate on Wednesday BY Mr. Dix
who favored the bill.
In the House, Messrs. Palfrey and Henley spoke
in committee Of the whole on the President:
Message,
In The Senate on Thursday, MIR. Phelps spoke
in opposition to the war, went at length into are
! view of the resources Of the government, with a
view to show how the war would eIhbarrass its
Operations,
lnthe House, Mr.. Thompson Of Indiana, pro
eeeded TO show that beyond the Nueees was Mex
lean soil, and that the Administration was deter
mined, from the first to get into Wac with Mexico