The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-19
Thr NEWS.

The News.
rather unusual amount of busino IS was trans
acted in Ge United States Senate vest erday, as will
be seen ~ reference TO the proceeding Among the
bis in scdaced was one asking for grant of land to
Md in The construction of canal cross the Sierra
Nsvs do valley, tHus showing that the Californans
Are determined net to be behind their neighbors in
the Atlantic States in asking for land to assist them
in developing their internal resources. The bill
grs~tine seven fiundred and fty thousand acres of
land TO ard in the construction of ship canal
arSana the falls of the St. MGrys river was passed.
the proposed work is ever completed it will be of
ncaisulabe benefit to the shipping interests of the
lahss. Quite lively and interesting debate sprung
up ON an amendment to the River and Harbor
bill, With proposed to appropriate seventy
Eve thousand dollars for the digging Of
ship canal from the Mississippi river to the Gulf of
Mexico. Several Senators eontended that the
rioxs appropriations had already rendered the bill
fall large enough, and that all additions should
kesdiseountenanced, while others averred that there
were many matters of great Importance wholly
provided for. In the of the controversy, Gen
Case stated that he voted for the former BILL which
President Polk vetoed, that he should vote for this
as il now stands, and would do the same upon any
proper measure of similar kind, the Nicholson
letter to the contrary notwithstanding. The pre-
sent indications are that the River and Harbor bill
win now become a law unless its friends should
overdo the matter and kill it with amendments
Notice was yesterday given, in the Senate, that
the Homestead or free farm bill, and Mr.. BENEFITS
bill for the distribution of land to all the States.
would be called up to-day Although the latter is
by far the most equitable measure that has been
produced among the multifarious schemes for rid
ding the government of its landed property, it is
hoped that even this viii be let alone-during the
present session, at all events. As for the free farm
project it is species Of socialism directly at vari
anee with the system under which we have hitherto
prospered, and become so powerful as a nation and
the great surprise is that such abominable mea-
sure should be countenanced by any enlightened
body of men. According to the deeds by which
large portion Of the public domain was originally
ceded to the United States, the land was to be dis
posed of and the proceeds appropriated for the be-
neft Of said States; conformity. The land should,
therefore, be reserved for purposes Of public revenue,
instead of being granted away by Wholesale for the
advancement of mere local and individual interests.
As usual, debate on the Wheeling bridge case
occupied the morning hour in the House of Repre-
sentatves yesterday, after which that body went
into Committee of the Whole on the Naval Appro-
priaton bill. The clause appropriating one mil
lion and ty-ve thousand dollars for the repair of
vessels, was amended by providing that whenever
it il discovered that the expense of repairing
sci win exceed two thirds of her original COST she
shall be sold, and the proceeds applied to the
building of new vessel proposed amendment,
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to carry out
the contract with Robert L. Stevens, for the con-
struction of ball and shell proof vessel for harbor
4 r. 1. VI
who was sustained by vote of 81 to 81, During
the debate on amendment for the sppoin tment,
by the President, Of ten midshipmen, at large,
which failed, much complaint made of the
gross favoritism practised in the appointment Of
midshipmen and cadets.
The steamship Crescent City, which arrived last
night brings most deplorable accounts of the state
Of society at Havana In consequence of the secret
issuing Of revolutionary proclamatons, from
quarter unknown, the government is said to be
seizing upon and imprisoning every Creole who
happens to fall under suspicion. The prisons are
reported to be already overfowing with occupants,
notwithstanding which the incendiary publications
continue to make their appearance. As if to add to
the horrors of the inhabitants, the cholera and
yellow fever are raging among them with great
violence.
The details of the European intelligence, brought
by the steamship Canada, which reached Boston
yesterday, are given elsewhere A large portion of
this news is exceedingly interesting, particularly
that relative to the fisheries and to the Australian
gold mines. The estimated productiveness of the
mines Is truly astonishing. No wonder that pro-
5ect is on foot to establish still another steam line
between England and her auriferous colony. The
letters from London and Paris correspondents
are repete with entertaining information
We regret that an interruption Of telegraph COM |
munication, south Of Richmond, Va, has depriyed
ms Of the second days proceedings Of the Georgia
Union Convention, and, also, the FIRST days nro
cecdings Of the Georgia Scott Convention This /,
rather disappointment, just at this time, when the
friends OF both Webster and Scott are on the tptoo
OF anxiety and expectation. We shall doubtless be
enabled to lay the transactions Of both conventions
before our readers tomorrow.
The report Of the last meeting Of Land Reformers,
which will be found in this days HERALD, presents
very funny view Of the effects Of the operations Of
Che political puIers Of the whig and democratic
parties
The democrats Of Albany, yesterday, held their
I1Euag elsctiVps, tos the purpose Of choosing re-