Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-07-26
From our washington Correspondent.
WAsH,NcroN .Tnlv % 1894

WASHINGTON July %, 1854
Do.ngs n Csngress-Fass Seaator and the Dignity Of e
1sag @sssT Il M z5s eses 1T Sa Ae
ene11 y ao.ons9, pay Asfer Sensrt Of the s.
Notwithstanding the intense heat of the weather,
Congress has beenyery laborousyat work during the
week jnst passed. Indeed every department of the
government from the President to the humblest en-
ployee s'constantly engaged at this important period
The business of the nation has become large and
its interests and diversified that it re-
quires constant and unremtting attention to dis
charge its various functions.
On Wednesday last very tart and angry debate
arose in the Senate between Mr. Clayton late Secre
tary of State under the Taylor Administration, and
Mr.. Wade from Ohio. Wade commented upon a
speech published by Clayton, and pronounced it de-
liberately and maliciousy false. Thereupon Clay
ton, much excited, pronounced Wade " a liar-that
he had lied and that he (Clayton) was responsible
elsewhere for what he had said" Whether the mat
ter will go any further is not yet to be SEEM But
such language and such tend greatly to lessen
the character and dignity of the American Senate
the first deliberative body on earth.
The great and exciting question of the day. the
Homestead BILL has received its quetus by the adop
ton of the amendment of Mr.. Hunter, Of Virginia
This is the plan suggested many years ago by Mr..
Calhoun. predicted several weeks ago this result
to you On yesterday after many weeks of labor
the final question was taken and the amendment of
Mr.. Hunter adopted by vote of So to II. Your
Senator, Mr.. Badger, of the minority. The
amendment has been already substantially given to
your readers in my former letters. After next July
all public lands unsod for five years. shall be offer
ed at dollar per acre for ten years. seventy-ve
cents; for fifteen years. fifty cents twenty years at
twenty-five cents, and for thirty years. twelve-and-
ahalf cents. States allowed to purchase the
public lands within their borders upon these terms
The head of family is entitled to enter quarter
section of land after the land has been five years
tered on paying to the government twenty five cents
This bill is yet to pass the House. as it
doubtedy will, and thus this knotty question WILL
trust be at rest forever. The DrinciDlaS
are the true principles which should regulate this
question. The graduating of the price of public
lands has worked like charm in the States where
it has been tred-by its operation every acre of
public land has been taken up and the country pop
ulated by useful and thrifty inhabitants. Should
this bill operate in the mode and this bone of
contention be removed the thanks of the nation will
be due to the administration under whose auspices
it has been accomplished.
The River and Harbour Bill is now before the
Senate, having passed the House by large majority
The House was on yesterday arrested in its proceed
ings by question of privilege made by Hon. Tho
mas H. Bayley, of the Accomac District in Virginia
He has been charged by Benz. E. Green late Charge
to Texas. and son of Gen. Duff Green, in letter.
written to the Hon: Mr.. Letcher, the Chairman of
the Committee on Colts Patent, dated 18th instant
with using misrepresentation and falsehood to aid
W. W. Corcoran in the of public money, for
which said said Corcoran had aided Mr.. Bayey with
loans of money. A committee of seven has been
ordered to investigate the facts. No one believes
here that Judge Bayly would for moment contami-
his fingers with base brides and the charge
originates in the malice of disappointed dabbler in
money and politics.
The Committee on the Cot patent are still labo-
rousy at work. Their labours very severe, and
constant One fact has already been evident, that
the motion of Mr.. Clingman has killed the extension
of Colts monopoly forver and ever.
The Edney letter still excites much conversation
here; nor has Mr.. Morehead's address lessened it.
1t little singular uat after las Mr. Morehead
admits money talked of between the high con-
tendng parties a consideration for sersices to be
rGndered, that he and Gen. Dockery should have
united in recommending Gen. Edney to the Pres-
dent. 1t acts estoppel to their mouths to de-
ny the credibty respectfully of a witness whom
they themselves set up on the stand But the scene
is little changed. Gen. Edney was narvelously
proper man when conspiring in company with them;
and that he thinks for himself he is to be hunt
ed down and vllifed.
The funeral of the late Paymaster, Gen. Nathan
Towson, occurs this afternoon at o'clock. He was
brave and gallant officer in the of 1872 woun-
ded at Fort George in 1913, and was much loved
and esteemed for his many private virtues. He was
born in Maryland, and died in the 8Oth year of his
age.
little boy, hailing from the old North State, was
on yesterday picked up in the streets in destitute
condition. He gives his name Watson, and is
from Lenoir County. Col Ruffin, member from his
District, with his characteristic generosity, has pro-
vided for his wants and his return to his friends.
L. D.