New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-03
WASHINGTON.
Curious and Interesting.
Correspondence Of The Tribune
w -~c,, ~ N, IL

WASHINGTON, Fnd ~. Jan 81
The whispering gallery echo which results from
the peculiar shape of the Hall of Represents
tiyes sometimes tells tales most "curious and
strangew
Standing in the vicinity Of the opposition
benches the other day heard an animated con.
yersation which sounded clearer far upon my
ear than the harsh tore of the Speakers ham.
mer though l was on the opposite side Of the
wide Hall, many yards from the parties engaged
Stepping back few feet and mounting into one
Of tire elevated seats occupied by the Letter.
writers, l saw that had been listening to Messrs-
D. and B, of New York State, whose
voices fancied had recognized.
As the conversation is of public interest aud as
no breach Of confidence is involved in its promul-
cation, will give it as nearly as it can be reco-
lected.
Mr.. D.-(presenting somewhat sOiled paper
| saw il afterwards, on which was written the
Compromise Pledge)-'B. want your name on
this list. Our friends are all going it, aud all have
expressed the hope that you would go with u.s..
Mr. B-(vho is a moderate and reasonable
Conservative Whg)-Well, | should have no OBJ.
lection TO signing paper abstracty expressing
the opinion that the Compromise ought to be sus-
tanned as pubic law, WHICH We are OOuHu " ca
ecute.
AIr. Dyes but that doesn't go far enough.
Something more stringent and binding is re-
quired.
Mr. B.-Perhaps so; but l do not feel disposed
70 bind myself not to vote for Wing candidate
for Office on account OF such differences Of opln
ion as those contemplated by this Pledge.
Mr.. Dyes, but we must have a platform;
and there is no better time to commence building
il than now. We want one upon which no tanat
les can stand.
Mr.. B.-Perhaps no platform, other than that
contained in the Presidents Message, and the a..
ready current doctrines of the Wing Party will
be necessary considering ourselves and our few
Southern friends, tie Wing Party, would you not
find it in an extremely INSIGNIFICANT minority
Would not four fifths Of the Wing Party refuse to
stand upon such platform
Mr. D-But don't you see that we should gain
friends South Beside, the thing has become
matter Of necessity. These fellows lmeanlns, l
SUPPOSE the Pennsy lvania Wing Delegation, who
are unanimously in favor Of Scott are going In for
Scott, and they'll nominate and elect him too, 1t
we don't do something to prevent It, we must
do something; and the Union Convention having
failed, this is our last resort.
Mr Bare you sure Gen. Scott IS not popular
South on account of his Mexican War services
IL So this movement can not defeat hlm,-0ut II
would most certainly defeat If not annihllste the
Wing Party in any event. Although l am not In
favor of Gen. Scott, l could not on any account
sign such pledge.
lfr. D.-You do not see the matter as do.
am sorry you will not sign, but perhaps you VIII
AZ VI do not believe shall as have pretty
firmly made up my mind, on the same grounds
which prevented those old Wing Senators, Bell,
Badger, Berien, Pearce and others from endors-
ing IT, and which actuates that old Wing organ,
the National Intelligeneer. Exit Mr.. D.
There have been various reports as to the &C
tual number of names on this paper, and have
seen some erroneous statements in The Tribune
The actual number is forty. four-all Of which
have been published.
The difficulty has been in ascertaining, as gen.
temen who were signers, not knowing the exact
number of the separate list, have made over.esti-
mates, which was of course very natural.
SMITH
mo: we have expressly stated the number at ortyOur
and published the names. Id