The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-13
Washington Gossip.


custom-house at Mobile has not yet been let,
though the proposals some time since advertised
for were formally opened before Mr.. Corwin left
the Treasury Department. This seems to be ow.
ing to a combination Of causes. Thus a flaw
has been detected in the Governments title to
the site which it is designed to erect the
building which is not yet corrected, though the
United States district attorney in that quarter ia
expected very soon to report that he has straight
ened it up. There is also some difficulty in the
Department here with reference to the bids,
which may not so easily be rghted. A large
number of bids were received, but four of them,
however, being for the whole work, if lam not mis-
taken, These as follows, on their face, viz:
Jos. H. Lane, $l28,62s; C. Adams, $l5s,756; s.
Strong, $l74,226; and L. Drew, $345, 1921. 1t is
thought that some reservations, proviaoes, con-
tingencies, conditions, attached to other bids,
have satisfied the Department so far that the bid
of Mr.. Strong is really the lowest, and, as
consequence, that be ia entitled to the contract.
learn that his bid has been assigned to Messrs.
James and Sweet, of Wisconsin; the former
lawyer. and the latter practical contracting
builder, with whom the contract will probably
be made, if it ia not judged necessary to adver
tse for further proposals. 1t is further said that
some of the bidders have written to the Depart
ment protesting, in effect, against constructions
which are there placed upon their respective of
fers. On the whole, this matter is in an essen
TALLY mussed condition.
Mr.. Samuel Strong, late superintendent of the
work on the construction OF the extension Of the
Capitol, whose supposed bid through one of his
foremen on that work (Mr. Barton) carried off
the California mint contract prize, seems to be
exceedingly fortunate individual No one can be
named to whom those at present in charge of
the Treasury Department would not sooner award
important and valuable contracts, for they bear
him no love. But there stands the law, impera-
lively demanding that such work shall be the
prize of the lowest bidder, whether he happens to
be Mr.. Samuel Strong Mr.. any else.
The northern papers are again overwhelmed
with predictions that Mr.. Saunders, of the Demo
cratic ReUiesD, is to have the London consulship
and Colonel Cory, of Cincinnati, the commission
ership at Constantnople. Nothing can be more
erroneous than such notions have again to repeat
The preferment of either of these two estimable
gentlemen could not fail to give gross offence to
Messrs Caas, Buchanan, and Houston, while the
Premier himself must be endowed with more than
adouble share of the milk of human kindness to
take such an event in an agreeable way. No other
appointments could possibly be made which would
80 annoy the three distinguished gentlemen named
above, towards whom the Administration do not
entertain sentiments of such unkndness as to
induce them thus to step out of their way, as it
We're, to take any such opportunity to manifest
total disregard of their feelings. have reason to
believe that the President would like much to be
able to give them both all they ask; but under ex
listing circumstances he probably comedies with
the Cabinet in the belief that they only deeply
regret their present inability to provide thus for
these two gentlemen.
As matter of curiosity, herewith present a
schedule of the Austrian mail lines by steamer
plying the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas which
shows at glance the difference in the effects Of
their government and ours the business pros
perity of the respective people. Did those seas
border us, instead of such accommodations for
travel and commerce, our steam lines would ply
them daily, if not oftener. The following is the
schedule referred to, all the lines starting from
single port, Trieste, viz: ToScutari and to Durazzo
each once month; to Alexandria to Brindizi, TO
Syria, and to Tribizonde, each twice month; to
Ancona, to Corfu, to Greece, to Constantinople,
and to Smyrna, each monthly saaw
The great Cincinnati botheration is over the
withheld commissions of Messrs Green pension
Agen) and Mclean (Surveyor of the Port) hay.
ing been duly issued this morning. after the Pres
ident had given to those obecting to them every
possible opportunity to satisfy him of the impro
priety of the appointments; or, indeed, that bet
ter ones for the interest of the public service the
party could be made in that quarter from the ma
terials presented. Strenuous and exceedingly sin
guar efforts were made to that end. Thus the
Catholic question is believed to have been logged
into the controversy. Mr.. Barry, Green's oppo-
nent, was doubtless urged the gentleman, of all
others, who would be most acceptable to the Cath
lie population OF the city; and certificates from dis
tinguished Democrats residing far off from Cincin
natl, were doubtless presented, among others,
to satisfy the Administration of the fact. AT one
time it struck me that about to have
sort of second New York Catholic and Protestant
free school war or controversy here over the ques
ton, w no shall be Pension Agent in Cincinnati
Mr.. Green or MIR. Barry? The respective parti
sans of these gentlemen worked hard indeed
abusing each other manfuIIy. it is said before his
excelency the President OF the United States
though, when meeting, they mildly de-
lighted as cooling doves. After giving ample time
for the rendition of any new testimony entitled TO
weight against Green, as before remarked, he has
been commissioned; but not before highly re-
spectacle Catholic gentlemen of Cincinnati wrote
on, dsclaiming for their religious sect there any
disposition to NEEDLE in any such controversy, or
to have appointments made with any reference
10 the religious sentiments or associations
Oh inc appolntee; and saying, further, that
the appointment of Mr.. Green would be quite as
acceptable to the Catholics of the city as that of
any one else. On the whole, this has been
memorable squabble, the end of which, however,
is not yet-Miams and sawbucks, Catholics and
Protestants come cutters and adheren,s being mixed
up in it in most deiectable confusion The Hon.
MIR. Disney, who is said lately to have had the
good fortune to three local mail agencies for
three of his constituents, all Mamis good and true
led on the sawbuck column, charging with rather
more spirit than discretion, apprehend, upon the
Miami host, which was marshaled under the com
tnand of the gallant Judge Dom Piatt. The strug-
gle was fearfully desperately for long time victory
now appearing to crown the sawbucks and then the
Nliamis. The clearing up of the smoke of the bat
tie discovers to the vision Of the xously observ-
ant public the Miamis in possession of the spoiIs.
which were the subject of the contest, while their
enemies are seen in the distance scampering from
the field. By the time the reader cons these lines,
they will nearly all have happily escaped from this
scene of action, via railway, to the West.
The President has made up his mind not to give
any local appointment for this District to any gen
tlenan who ia not of its citizens-a conclusion
as wise as just. The wonder ia that the common |
sense of those not belonging here, who have COW
efed District Offices, did not warn them that II,