The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-05-07
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. April 26.

The proceedings of the late Wing caucus
appear to agitate the Democratic party almost
rs much as the others. The Southern Press
says-aThis movement will produce total
revolution of parties" One party contains
the same elements with those of the other,
and the jar of these elements in one produces
a like effect in the other.
fone party break up on the compromise
question, the other will also. There is an
increasing prospect that we shall have three
or four or more Presidential candidates and
parties. IN.
"A member of the House, on Friday last,
proposed that the Democratic majority should,
with view to exhibit their disposition to
check the current of extravagant expenditures,
terminate the present session as soon as
possible, after passing the necessary oappro-
priatons. They might find another sigument
in favor of such course, to wit that would
rid the country of the continual aggit,ton by
Congress of the compromise and I'll Pres-
dental questions.
But there is no disposition to term} te the
session at an early day. Congress could des-
patch the public business and adjourn by the
first of July, but.they have no wishto do it,
The Presidential nominations are subject OF
intense interest to Congress, ans so will be
the Presidential election, afterwards; and the
attention given by Congress to those subjects
will keep them here till the middle of August,
After the passage of the deficiency bill, it
will not be Immediately necessary to take up
another appropriation bill, and the discussion
of party questions will occupy much OF the
time. The land questions are still to be dis
posed of. The new State interest will not
suffer the bills granting lands for their benefit
to be neglected. By combinations with other
interests, they still expect to pass them
There are now before Congress thirty-fve to
forty bills, granting about thirty-fve million
of acres to incorporated companies in aid OF
building rail roads. These united interests
are very formidable. One of the principal
bills-the Iowa bill has passed the Senate.
Another great subject of consideration in
Congress is yet to be the Tariff, and perhaps
that will be deferred till after the Presidential
nominations. The rail road interest will
make great effort to reduce or to remit
duties on rail road Iron. The iron interest
on the other hand, will press scheme for
re-establishing the system of home raluation'
which will increase the duties to more than
fifty per cent. There are, however, several
other projects in relation to the Tariff, that
are under consideration.
WASHINGTON, April o.
A long debate occurred in the Senate yes
terday on an exception taken to the amend
ment to the deficiency bill providing for the
Collins line, as violating the rule, which
requires that no amendment be made to an
appropriation bill, unless based on existing
law or on estimate from department. In
this case, department had recommended the
increase of service, and, upon n call of the
Senate, furnished an estimate. The President
protein. (Mr. King) declined making de-
cision on question of so much Importance,
and referred it to the Senate. 1t was con-
sidered as a test question upon the merits OF
the increase, and the Senators voted, with a
few exceptions, according to their predilec-
tons, for or against it. The vote was 20 to
-, thus deciding the amendment to be in
order To day, Mr.. Seward has the floor and
will make, it is said, a general speech on the
policy of encouraging commercial steam
navy, by giving to lines of steamers, built for
war purposes contracts for conveying the
mails. The vote, to day, shows that the
measure will pass the Senate.
The rumor lately circulated that Mr. Hall,
the Postmaster General, is to resign,is denied.
Such rumor has been circulated here for a
month"; and some FEASIBILITY was given to it
by the fact of his breaking up his domestic
establishment. President Fillmore would not
like to change his Cabinet at the present
time.
Persons who saw Mr.. Clay yesterday state
that he was more than usually unwell, is fast
failing, and complains of inability to sleep
In the judgment of those who see him daily,
he can scarcely survive another month.-Cor.
Char Courier.
EARTHQUAKE AT WASHING ToN-An earth
quake was very perceptibly and generally felt
at Washington Thursday afternoon last. The
vibrations continued about three or four
seconds. We trust it may have some effect
upon the politicians. The shock was also
felt, and with greater violence, at Raleigh,
North Carolina. 1t was likewise perceptible
ut Baltimore.
THE CABINET.---The Goldsborough Patriot,
Democratic paper in North Carolina, speaks
thus of the President and members of the
Cabinet
We are not disposed to compliment either
NJ H.. N. IL