New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-18
CONGRESS.
The House, Democracy on Rivers and Har.
bors-Clingman on the TariG-Jones on
Correspondence OF The Tnbune'

Claims.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Friday, Feb H.
The House has gone to work in earnest.
hardly know how they could show more deter
mined activity, unless they pulled of their coats
and assumed boxing attitude. The River and
Harbor Bill is under discussion. | hardly know
what to say az to the prospects OF its final pas
sage; think it will pass, but may be mistaken,
as am not positive of the grounds from which
draw the conclusion. l must confess, am
nearly as much Disguised as amused by the OPP
position to the bill party issues, not its merits
Mr.. MORSE, OF La, to-day denounced all Demo
mocrats who supported the bill. He said IL they
were Democrats, he was not he was Wbg,
Free Soiler; or any thing. And am rather oil the
opinion that he is the latter; but alter all there
will be no danger of bis kicking the party traces,
out of the House--or rather, he is literally in them
IN the House, and his nerves are shocked at any
mans daring to be anything but partizan what
ever may be the wants of his constituents or the
country. Mr.. FITCH, of Indiana replied to Mr..
MORSE claiming to be as good Democrat as the
latter gentleman, although he supported the bill,
as many other orthodox Democrats did. The dis
cussion was continued wholly between Demo-
crats $50 called,) until left the House. and their
distinctions between constitutional and 0nconstl'
tutional appropriations for internal improvement,
seemed to me very much like the difference be-
tween tweededum and twedledee. II the Com
merce Of the Country demands these improve
ments, their consttutionality is implied, unless
the Constitution has definitely made them uncon-
stitutional and the merits of the question rest
upon it's expediency. But the whole debate to-
day was upon its party aspect or nature whether
it was or was not true Democracy And the posi-
ton assumed by the speakers, was, il 1t was true
Democracy, il was constitutional iii was not APP
proved by the fathers of Democracy and not &C.
cepted by the party, it was unconstitutional. l
do not know but l may be accused Of msrePre-
senting the tenor of the debate, but | certainly
give the impression it left on my mind; and | left
the House with the idea that the code OF the De-
mocratic party, was only the "Constitution made
easy for new beginners"
Mr. CLISGMAN IN. c. had the floor for the eve
ming session. but failing to be present, las all the
members did, with the exception OF forty) 1t
left an opening for an amusing episode OF
private EXPLANATIONS. MIR. CosGER, New Yorklt
appeared had been agrieved and suffered from an
accusation of lodging the vote on the Fugitive
Slave Law. He explained the injustice Of the
accusation, that business of imperous necessity
called him from Washington and he paired of Tor
the whole week with Mr.. McLane OF Baltimore.
In the course of his remarks he referred to the
"Union Pledge" which brought Mr.. BOKEE upon
DIS Ieet 10 take exceptions 20 tue huuslOhs Ol mr.
CoDger. Mr. CoDger re Explained that he meant
nothing derogatory TO his honorable colleagues
patriotism-that he referred 10 the Pledge as
matter OF common report, and as such, subject to
remark upon the floor as we'll as elsewhere Mr..
Bokee reioined, and in the course Of his remarks
made some curt and offensive allusion to the
gentleman from Ohio" That brought Mr. GID.
DISGs upon his feet Instantly, and he replied
warmly and to the point.
In the meanwhile, Dir. JONES, Of Tennessee
who had the floor waited with much patient
courtesy for the quieting of the troubled waters
IL Mr. Jones had only commenced in kind, have
no doubt but the "agitation" would have filed
the House within the hour, bat he commenced on
speech of duty to the Treasury in particular
and the Country in general. But, not being bless
ed with the bump of calculation could not keep
the run Of the gentleman's statistical thousands,
tens OF thousands, hundreds OF thousands and
left the House without being certain whether the
gentleman was counting round numbers on a wa
ger, or exposing the woul extravaganza OF some
preceding generations. Numerical figures and
the National Treasury are the gentlemans pet
hobbies, and he never permits an opportunity 70
pass for any claim on the Treasury, without count
ing up what has been, dsbursed, and opposing
any farther impoverishment of its Golfers. The
justice or Injustice Of the claim makes no differ.
ence; he opposed from fixed principle or rule,
anything being paid from It. do not suppose
be would receive his own pay il it was drawn out
individuality but as it comes ia a lump, after it
is out, he probably quiets his conscience, that II
will not get back again, and he keep it as safely
as another.
The gentlemen ought to have brevet of honor,
appointing him Lieutenant Watch to all claims
upon the Treasury. s. 7. "
S
r. We regret to learn that Rev. Mr. Neil,
Lara from phiaIal,bia apH settled at