The Empire County argus. [volume] (Coloma, El Dorado County, Cal.) 1853-1857, 1853-12-24

Louis to New York. AS general thing, twenty
days are allotted to make the trip, and we have
surance, that if the mail is ordered from Indepen-
dence to San Francisco, the nearest post town in
California the time to Santa Fe will be shortened to
fourteen days, and the whole distance will be per-
formed IN twenty-six days. This is less time than
is now ordinarily required for the dispatch of letters
from California to St. Louis and it will be infinitely
more secure.
FIRE IN CoLuMBUs.-An extensive fire broke out
in the west wing of the Ohio State Penitentiary, IN
Columbus, on the 5th of November.
The result of the New York State election shows
the Democratic party to be split in two exactly In
the middle The following is the vote for Secretary
of State.
Leavenworth, Wing ...... .......... l6O,977
Clinton, Hard-Shell ..... go. ....... 9o,9lO
Verplank, Soft-Shell ...... ...... .... 81 :499
The vote was light, but the main falling off was
in the wing vote. The legislature is strongly whig
which the reelection of Mr. Seward to the
U. S. Senate, of similar views. The election
is looked upon as triumph of the Hards led ofby
Ex-Collector Bronson, over Secretary Marcy and
the Cabinet.
In the Vermont Legislature several unsuccessful
ballottings had been held for U. S. Senator. The
Freesoilers hold the balance of power, and neither
of the old parties willing to make any conces-
sion to thcm that it is doubtful if any election
takes place during the session.
The Legislature of Alabama is now in session.
Two, if not three, u S. Senators were to be chosen;
one for the full term of six years from the Sd of
March last, in place of jeremiah Clemens, whose
term expired then; one for the vacancy caused by
the death of Col VIM. R. King, who resigned on
being elected Vice President, and was succeeded by
George Fitzpatrick, appointed by the Executive;
and perhaps one for the full term which succeeds,
commencing in March, 1855
Two were elected on the 29th ult, c. c. Clay, jr.
for the long term, and Benjamin Fitzpatrick for the
short term. Whether the successor to MIR. Fitz-
patrick will be elected this session, is undecided
1t is said that the President has requested Mr..
McLane, the newly appointed Minister to China;
Mr. Mason, the newly appointed Minister to France;
and Mr.. Seymour, the newly appointed Minister to
Russia, not to sail for their respective destinations
until the Senate shall have confirmed their nomi-
nations
1t was the general impression at Washington at
the last advices, that Jefferson Davis, the present
Secretary of War; will be elected to the Senate from
Mississippi.
There are several prominent candidates for the
lima Disney and Odds of Ohio, and Linn Boyd, the
last Speaker. 1t is generally conceded that Mr..
Boyd will not be reelected.
Washington was said to be filling up very fast
with all sorts of people. A correspondent of the
New York Herald thus describes them Claim
agents, lobby members and gamblers begin to APP
pear in the streets and at the hotels After a ire
nifty have made their preparations for correspond
ing campaign through an anticipated nine months
session. They occupy number of the most prom
inent houses on Pennsylvania Avenue, openly and
in the face of day
GEoRGIA.-The election for Senator in Congress
from the State of Georgia has been postponed under
some circumstances of excitement. caucus Of
the Democratic party was held TO nominate a can
didate, when, after seven baotings, Charles J. Me-
Donald was nominated. The opposing candidates
were Howell Cobb and Alfred Iverson. Two-thirds
were required to make nomination. After some
Intellectual ballotings, ten dozen of the friends
of Mr. Cobb withdrew from the caucus and Mr.
Mcdonald was nominated On the next day. which
had been fixed for the election, the Senate passed
resolution postponng the election of Senator until
the next session of the Legislature The postpone
ment was effected by the vote of FIVE Democratic
Senators with the whole of the Wings
NAVAL REFoRMs.-The Washington correspon-
says:
The papers have already foreshadowed some of
the extensive reforms which Mr.. Dobbin, who has
devoted himself entirely to the business of his de-
partment, intends to introduce into our navy
There is probably no.branch of the public service
more thoroughly rotten; none, therefore, that re-
quires such thorough reform. The indefatigable
Secretary will recommend
| l. retired list.
2 Promotion according to real sea service.
J. An honorable discharge Of gentlemen who
have grown old in the service without performing
any duty.
! He will further recommend an increase in the
number of our ships; and improvement in the con-
tract system, already partially introduced in the de-
partment improvements in the Naval School at
Annapolis, and the introduction of Government
workshops.
The journals are specializing upon the contents
of the coming message. The Baltimore Sun says
that
There is no longer any doubt about the fact that
the President in his message, will recommend the
granting to the States the privilege of levying ton
mage duties in lieu Of appropriations Tor rivers and
harbors.
And the Washington Star adds
We shall not be surprised to find the message
announcing that, long since, our Commissioner at
the Sandwich Islands was directed to keep his at
tention fixed closely to their political condition. and
respectfully to receive and forward home, for the
consideration of the Government, any advances OF
propositions which that Government might make
by way of giving the United States rights there
likely to prove almost invaluable to American com
merce.
John Mitchell arrived in New York on the Doth
on the steamer PrometheuS. He was waited for by
great crowd on the wharves and in boats on the
river, and great excitement prevailed generally
MITCHELL however, quietly left the steamer and was
conveyed to the residence of his mother in BROOKLYN
A dispatch from Washington says that a new
treaty has been formed with Secretary Marcy anc
} Mr.. Champion, providing for general Interchange
IF II IL. Dr. .,l.