The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-16
WASHINGTON. Sept. II. 1850

Err Secretary Ering-The 7arIf-Queer Gossip
Mr.. Clay carried his bill abolishing the slave
trafhc in this District, through the Senate to-day
without amendment
The Senate had 10 executive Sc ssion
The House did good deal of work Tn the
morning ithe reports from the Richardson Com
mittee were disposed of, by the adoption of Mr..
Vmton's resolution, (accepted by Mr.. Bayy)
clearing Mr. Ewing from direct and positive CEN
sure in the matters inquired into by the committee
Mr.. Toombs' resolution. declaring il to be mex
pedient TO legislate upon the tariff at this session,
was taken up. Mr.. Vnton offered an amendment,
which had been agreed upon by meeting Of the
friends OF the tariff and which similar TO the
proposition made some time ago by Mr.. Hampton
OF Pennsyl vania substituting specific duty in
stead OF an ddrdlorcr upon all taxable imported
goods. This amendment was lost by a close vote
and then Mr.. Toombs' proposition was adopted,
also by close vote
Mr.. Brooks moved to reconsider the vote for the
purpose OF Offering an amendment, which was read
for the information of the House. Ii proposed that
the Committee OF Ways and Means should be en-
powered to sit during the recess Of Congress, and
mature tarii scheme which would meet the
wants OF the country, and 10 report said scheme 10
the House at the next session Of Congress. This
was objected TO by Mr.. Bayy, chairman Of the
Ways and Means Committee, and by others Mr..
Bayly declared that he could not be present with
the committee during the recess, nor could other
uicnptis OF lnc CoUlIlAttfs he ndTNtttS OF du
tum would need their attention at their respective
places OF residence
The que stion on re considering was taken, and
decided in the negative SO the House refuses TO
touch the tariff during the present session. The
question is settled, and for the present. out OF the
way
Mr. Giddings has drawn his per diem pay up 10
the end Of the session-more than two weeks off,
and his mileage, and abandoned Congress- the
River and HaTbor bill, the bill To abolish the slave
traffic in this District, and other bills Of importance,
TO their fate, and has gone home 10 look after his
own reelection. He ~ a disinterested patriot, at
a great rate There is much talk here about him
and his conduct Just now. lie asked for no leave
of absence, but took IL of his accord. The
officers of the law were after him, at the time he
left, with writ, founded upon charge Of Islander
and defamation Of character, Mr. Hiram ketch-
UNI, Of New.lork, is the plaintiff. lie assumes
that Mr. Giddings has publicly accused him with
lobbying with members Of Congress 10 get the
Texas boundary and Scrip bill passed, 30 as to en-
hance the Price Of Texas scrip, and put money
in his pockets.
informed you, some time ago, that Mr.. Con-
rad, Secretary Of War, had decided upon appoint.
neral Land Office, TO the chief clerkshp Of the
War Department. My statement was specially
contradicted by writers who knew nothing on the
subject, in several a the newspapers But was
correct Captain Davis enters on the duties of his
new appointment on Monday next.
This promotion at a meritorious officer Is a Just
rebuke TO MIR. Commissioner Butterfield, who had
promised 10 appoint Capt Davis to the chief clerk
ship Of the General Land Office, now vacant as IL
has been for months past but who did not fulfil
bis premise.