New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-01

Report of the Committee of Ways and
Means-nIr. COrwin.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, May 80.
The Senate of the United States has again been
called upon to mourn the loss Of another of its
members, in the death of Mr.. GILMORE, the success
sor of JOHN c. CALHOUN, Of South Carolina His
sickness was brief, and his death will take his
State greatly by surprise. During the few days he
occupied a seat in that forum no opportunity pre-
scented itself which enablod him - put forth the
vigor and the richness of his hghycultivated intel
lect, and he has consequently passed from the
scenes of his new duties without having left behad
him single record of his ability and soundness as
a statesman. There is no previous instance Of the
kind. where two Senators from the same State
have died at the same Session of Congress, and
within few weeks Of each other. This sad be-
reavement will of course put an end to all legisa
ton for the remainder of the week, the House hav
ing adjourned over until Monday.
q Day before yesterday the Committee charged
with the investigation of the disgracefu that
transpired some time since between Messrs. FooTE
and BENTON in the Senate, resumed its duties by
the examination of Mr. Senator PRATT of Mary and.
He testified that in a conversation between him
self and the Attorney General of the United States
he asked the opinion of the latter as to what he
thought of the intention Of Col BENTON to make an
attack upon FooTE. JOHNSON replied that he be-
heved Col. BENTON would attack FooTE, and that
the latter had better prepare himself accordingly
MIR. PRATT further testified that meeting Gen.
FOOIE, he communicated to him what the Attorney
General had said, and that FooTE replied he had
already taken that precautlon. This gives an en-
different face to the affair, ~ reveals the
fact that according to the statement OF FooTE HIM
SELF he was previously armed, when MIR. PRATT
communicated to him what JOHNSON had said
There is an understanding, learn, between both
the parties TO this controversy that the Attorney
General is not to be called as witness so that all
the testimony upon the point OF the advice alleged
10 have been given by the Attorney General to
FooTE to arm himself, is that which has been testi-
fed to by Senator PRATT of Maryland
The Committee Of Ways and Means are rapidly
preparing the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation
bill which will be reported to the House In the early
part of June The majority of the Committee, In
Guiding the Chairman have resolved TO exhibit a
liberal disposition, in giving the departments what
additional clerks the several chiefs deem lndlspen-
SADLY necessary for the prompt discharge of the
public service There will be provision made for
about fifty clerks, including, trust, those that
are absolutely indispensable to the Secretary of the
Interior. They will also, learn introduce sys
tenn Of equalization Of salaries, both as regards the
cnlcf CLERKS ana tnclr tndI is
ed upon every principle Of justice and right. The
present system is an oppressive one and under 1t
great abuses have occurred in times past frequent
" the least competent aud deserving clerk re-
ceivng the highest grade OF compensation allow
ed in the Bureau where he is employed If the
Committee of Ways and Means remedy this evil,
they will deserve the thanks Of that numerous class
connected with the various departments in this city.
The confirmation OF Hon. Il. p. Letcher, Min
lister to Mexico, has disappointed number OF false
prophets, " ho for months have been heraldng in
advance his defeat. Orlando Brown, Esq. was also
confirmed as Commissioner Of Indian Affairs, al
though he has resigned his place, to take effect ON
the first day OF July next. His confirmation learn,
was made to satisfy the public and his numerous
friends that his resignation Of the Office was not
based upon any apprehension on his part that the
Senate would net pass favorably upon his case
The rumor that Hon. TON CoRwIN of Ohio is 10
make speech in few days against MIR. CLAY,
and IN favor OF the admission Of California and re-
fusing Territorial Governments to Utah and New
Mexico, IS not true If he makes a speech it will
be for reasons that have not vet developed them.
selves TO his mind and should he speak, venture
the prediction that the Free Soil party and Adolf
nonists Will forever thereafter regret his effort as
much as one Gen CRARY Of Mich did on q former
memorable occasion. Mr.. CoRwIS thinks that this
controversy should be ended and that delay In
setting II is lar more dangerous to the cause of
Freedom than 10 the propagation of Slayarv over
Territory now free. Let there be another Years
delay, and Slavery is irremedisbly planted in New
Mexico as far as Santa Fe, and even including 4,
Settle the controversy nor, and an immense tract
ofcountry will be restored Free Territory that is
now org anized under the jurisdiction OF Slave
State. Yours, CLIO