The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-27

Mr. Rusk's substitute for the Postage Reform
bill, passed by the House of Representatives some
time since, was yesterday put upon It's passage in
the Senate, and adopted. The main difference
between this and the House bill is, that the rates OF
postage on letters are fixed al three and FIVE cents
the former in case of their being prepaid, and the
latter in case they are no. prepaid-whereas the
House bill fixed uniform rate OF three cents. The
tine is so brief between this and the day Of adj
Journmeni, that, unless the House take up this
subject at once, and either agree to the Senate
substitute, or appoint committee 10 confer
with similar committee of the Senate, Postage
Reform must inevitably go over to the next session.
Only four working days Of the present session re-
main, within which there is great deal ofimportant
butiness TO be transacted As passed the Senate,
the bill contains an appropriation TO the amount of
sixtysix thousand dolla for paying in denta ex-
penses Of the Post Office Department California
Mr.. Gwin, the able Senator from that new State,
has been indefatigable from the time California was
admitted into the Union, in watching for the ia,e
rests Of the State the Pacific. The Senate like
wise Tsssed res Gluten, placing at the disposal Of
kossuth, the Hungarian hero, United States ves-
seto convey him to the United States in case he be
liberated, and should elect TO make this his home
ing bill limiting the liability OF ship-owners in
certain cases, which was ordered to be engrossed
The substance and particulars of this bill will be
found n our telegrsphic account Of the Seaate's
Proceedings in another column.
A great deal Of the time OF the House, yesterday,
was devoted to a debate between Messrs. Allen
and Ashmun, Of Massachusetts,, as to whether or
not TIE Hon Daniel Webster made il condition
Al. -
dollars before he took the Office of Secretary Of
State-the one affirming It, and the othr denying
il. The debate grew out of the discussion on the
bill appropriating three millions one hundred and
eighty thousand dollars for the payment Of the last
instalmen to Mexico, under the treaty Of Guada-
lupe Hidslgo We must say that Messrs Allen
and Ashmun are net only wasting the time Of Con-
eress, but irifling with the country in this futile
discussion. Whether Mr. Webster did or did
net receive that, or any other sum Of money, on
the condition mentioned is very immateral. His
constituents, and the public at large, have the
fullest confidence in his integrity, and the day
is far distant when they will entertain any
other opinion OF him. lie is one Of our great
men, Of whom the country is justly proud, and
nothing deroga.ory to him will be listened TO. On
many occasions he has shown himself to be a
patriot Of the fret water, and superior 10 party and
party considerations when the honor or interest of
his country is at stake. Recently he took a stand
in opposition TO fanaticisn, abolitionism and free
soilism; and probably that is the cause Of this
recent attack upon him. MIR. Webster, however,
is 80 firmly anchored in the hearts and affections
Of the people, that he may challenge and defy as
sauts, come from what quarter they may.
Two more attempts were made by the Legis-
laiure Of Massachusetts,, yesterday, to elect a
United States Senator in the place Of Mr.. Webster,
or rather in the place Of Mr.. Rantoul, whose term
will expire in the present Congress. Mr.. Sumner
came within two votes Of being elected; and par
ties being still obdurate, the election was post
poned Tor two weeks.