The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-03
INTELLIGENCE By TIE SAILS.
Our Washington CorresPendense.

Our Washington Correspondence
WAsHIroroN. Dec. l. 1870.
The Contest for the Speakershp The Report Of he Ssrs-
tsrv Of the TSssSry-Ths Expected Arrival Of s@
Henry Buver- The Cuban Canadian, snd Niesvsgusy
Questions.
The intrguss for the speakershp assuming quite
an interesting aspect and may prove instructive In
more than one respect Since the time Of the ssls-
brated Adams and Clay compromise, In 1926, nothing
similar has been witnessed here In Washington Those
most behind the curtain, believe, now, that Mr. Win
throp WILL after ALL be elected, aud that the action of
certain discontented wings and democratic members
necessary to his choice will be secured through the
influence OF the administration What that influence
H. leave the reader to guess; but doubt whether the
denuncistions, which will follow the election, viii
make 1t prudent in the democrats who may bring Il
about to accept the price OF their duplicity Win
throp IL not elected, Mr.. Richardson of illinois, or
Gov Ceaveand Of Connecticut stand the best chance
The Secretary of the Treasury will probably urge,
in his report the substitution of the specific instead Of
the adj raiorem system of levying duties imports.
With 1t, he will also advocate return to the pretec
tive policy-not the adoption perhaps of the rates Of
duties imposed by the tariff of 1872 but tariff framed
Win view 10 the protection OF fewer articles OF 90
nestle manufacture than protected by that tariff
IL Is believed that the cotton aud wooden interests OF
New England do not require to the old duties
on foreign cotton and wooden manu- actures.
The Secretary may also recommend a higher rate Of
duty ON foreign sugars for the protection of these
gagged in the growing and maauacture Of sugar in the
South. But, foremost in the st products proposed
to be further protected the cles Of iron and
coal 1t is known that Mr. Meredith has been in
dnstrious, for some time past in collecting vast
amount Of Information from the iron masters and coal
Proprietors In Pennsylysnia and elsewhere In the
Union, setting forth the nadequaoy OF the present
duties, and the necessity OF further projection, all Of
which will doubtless be- communicated to Congress, in
or appended TO the report
IL Is doubtful whethe the el4rt to obtain further
protection tor those articles wiz be suceessfal al
though no great opposition Will be Iaade to further
proecuon on IRON, even IN some Important quarter in
the South where the late Secretary Of the Treasury
Mr. Walker Is justly supposed to exercise potential
influence. Opposed TO &c will be tho navigation aud
commercial interests of New England and New York;
and though the South, with TO iron and COAL
might De Indifferent yet the noiple OF protection
aua Of specifies Will bs opposed by ia body Ii Mr.
Mere ith courted popularity in pennsylvania his plan
woud perhaps have succeeded better by not revying
the old isfues. even ia miider form
Sir Henry Buiwer is nov expected daily, with full
powers to adjust the Nicaragua question 1t il also
taid though no official in Inat,on has reached this
country that he Is empowered trsa IN regard TO the
anne xation or purchase af anad Ia anticipaton of
movement in the United States Ga tsat effect. Eng
land In this respect play very dsxtsrous game,
which may, in the end, prove her deiuded Canadian
SUBJECTS that the United STATES h-rse IL not snxous
for union with Canada. Eng tnd bears In mind thss
IT Is the 10y party in Canada which is diSsats
hed WITH her government ana that the dissatisfaction
arises from tn. passage ofs bill aordug relief and in
IDENTITY 20 those whom they castomed to call
rebels his in all probability Is the secret Of Eng
lands forbearaDce ut this moment; but as long she
lays claim TO be mistress Of she will sur
Iehuer her maritime position on this continent.
The English possessions In ths West Indiesthe Ba-
hamas and Jamaica are nucn less beneficial 20 Eng
land ~ maritime nation, than the Gulf of st. Law
renee aud II any proposition IL made for xaton,
Tor one, should not b. surprised VI the West India
Islands were to be colnpred It These possessions,
since the passage Of the patton act Of 1885
ns worthless TO her as they would DO TO without
slavery so that I'll annexation the Unitsd Ststes
would not be advocated by the Southern States.
The resistance Of the South TO the annexation Of
Canada ought, however be overcome by the purchase
OF Cuba and Porto Rico, where slavery exists and
10 which the Wilmot provso doctrine ITSELF should it
pass Congress and receive the signature Of the Pre
dent would not necessarily apply believe that Spain
Is not altogether opposed c.sson for proper
consideration and that the spanish bondholders in
Europe wsu jump at the chance IL IL well UNDER
stood that, short time since, MIR Saunders late
Minister to Spain, entertained the opinion that Cuba
could have been obtained had this government taken
proper measures To secure It, The late dsturoan
the Island cannot but the value of 1t to the
Spanish crown.
MIR. Clay arrived here ut IL o'clock, and Was
cheered all the from the depot to the National o
tel He made handsome speech from the steps OF that
hotel thanking the crowd and retired amidst perfect
paroxysm OF enhusiasm, the part of the listeners