New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-05
WASHINGTON.
Struggle I'm the senate the River and Har-
Dor BiIl-nlinOrity insisting npo1 lis Right
TO Govern.
JonespOhdence OF Ibe ITl0und
SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, March 5,

Correspondence OF The Tribune
SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, March 8.
O'Clock, Evsnipg)
River and Harbor bill still under discussion
through an unbroken session of nine hours to-day
in addition to the time spent on it last week
Amendments upon amendments of every posi-
bic description, and Bunkum speeches of all sorts
have been the order of the day and evening on
the Opposition side OF the House. Ii is not a
little remarkable that but two Southern Wing
members oppose this bill, while the entire
strength of the Opposition party South is array.
ed against it.
Ii has often struck me what pity il was that
the people did not understand legislative opera
tioDs as well as those who are the actors in them
Here we have had minority of the higher branch
of the National Legislature opposing by every
factioas expedient that the bad rules Of the Sen.
ate permits, bill which has passed the more
popular branch by large majority, and for which
there is an evident snd undoubted majority in the
body of which they are members. On the floor
below, military Senator (Col. JEFF. DAVIS is
tearing passion to tatters, TO very flinders, upon
an argument denying the authority OF the ma
iority. He insists that the bill is not constitu.
tional, and therefore the majority have no right
to pass titus assuming himself to be the only
proper judge of what is and what is not Consti-
tutiOna not only Iii opposition to the majority In
Congress- butt,king upon his single shoulders the
duties and privileges OF the Supreme Court
new and ingenious move has been made.
Senator SoULE has sent to the Clerk long and
prosy report upon some survey, which promises
to kill couple of hours OF the time. The Clerk
proceeds for an hour or 80, nobody listening. The
Senate in great confusion. PHELPS of VT. finally
moves that further reading be dispensed with. A
long debate ensues, the opponents of the bill In
sistng upon reading the report and at the same
time endeavorDg by all sorts Of twisthcations to
make it appear to the country that the majority
are the factions party.
new move An Administration member, Mr..
PEARCE of Nd moves to lay the bill on the table.
considerable sensation among the Wings J.
Voted down, 80 to o.
Mr.. CLAY says, emphatcally. that he is willing
TO try the question mooted by the Senator from
Mississippi whether the minority or majority
should govern.
The House of Representatives continues about
every FIVE minutes to send in Senate bills it has
taken up from the Speakers table and passed
By general consent, on motion, they are sent to
the President.
Amendments are still the order. AS fast as
one is voted down, some opponent of the bill hops
up and offers another.
No amendment, however proper, can be &C
cepted by the majority. as the adoption of amend
ments would kill the bill in the Houses they are
all voted down. The bill was so carefully pre-
pared in the House, however, that it would be
difficult to amend it to advantage, even were it
feasible.
Mr. FooTE, who has been on bis feet hundred
times, has just moved to lay on the table-Lost
35 to 90. Mr.. ATcHIsoN OF Miss has kindly in
formed the Senate that the opposition will be kept
up until the adjournment.
Mr. CLEMENS now offers batch of amendments,
and is proceeding to testify matters so as to make
Al
perfectly right and proper. He announces his de-
termination that no 4" false facts" shall go out to
the country. 1T would be curious to know what
false fact grammar Mr.. CLEMENS uses.
1t is now about 10 o'clock. The prospect of any
yielding on either side appears to be bat slight
The minority least of all. seem disposed to allow
the Senate to vote upon the bill
WOUTER Won TWILLER.