The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-22

OF SENATOR SUMNER.
The Latest Free Soil Effort to Defeat
the Bill.
Remarks Of Gen. CaSs and Hon. ]. c. Allen In
Support Of Congressional NOl-InterVentisn.
Spirited Debate on the Free Farm Bill
in the House.
Gerrit Smith for and Mr.. Dent Against The
Measure,


Gerrit Smith for and Mr.. Dent Against tho
Measure,
TO-, &c., DO
Our Warrington CsrrosPondonce.
WASHINGTON, Feb II, 1854
Business in Congress- The Ball at ths NotioSal-
The Pretty Women at Washimgto~--Abswdon Of
our legislators.
The arrangement which the House Of Representa-
tives entered into day or two ago, in overriding the
decision Of the Chair to the parliamentary fiction
Of ostensbly having subject under consideration
and at the same time Of being 1t liberty of making
spesoh ON any other, is found to be . most conve.
nient, easy and excellent plan. The Homestead bill
has been the subject Of discussion since Tuesday
last, and yet have had believe, but two speeches
on that topic. 1t is an excellent opportunity for
Buncombe, and members are not slow TO take advan-
tsge ofn Under the benign influence of this rule
We have had already some half dozen speeshes on
the Nebraska bill, on the subject Of railroad iron
duties, and the now celebrated speech Of Mr..
Wheeler on the troubles among the New York de-
mocracy 1t would not be at all surprising to find
members next week discussing the Gadsden treaty,
the rejection OF George Sanders Consul to London
or the Scarlet Letter, about which 30 much fuss has
been made, and which exces considerable attention
here.
To-day we had the Nebraska bill up in the House,
under the operation Of this same parliamentary &C.
ton. There was much interest felt in the speech of
Mr. Stephens Of Georgia, in support OF the proposed
measure, not 50 musa, perhaps, account OF his re-
putaisn and his standing forward IS the exponent Of
southern Wow - OF the fact that his appearance
justifes the prediction that he is soon to pass
from thee halls Of legislation to tho presenos
Of the Great Lawgivsr. He was followed
on the same side BY Ar. Kerr, another Southern
jsct. Mr.. Campbell, Of Ohio, took opposite grsund
maintaining that it was the true intent and meaning
Of the trainers Of the consultation to limit the ins
tuition OF slavery to those States where is then exist
ed; and that, therefore, the principle involved in
Judge Douglass bill il at variance with and subyer.
aive Of the principle OF tho consultation In that res
SELF with correcting in historical ana geographical
point Of view, those whs have already debated the
matter In the House and 10 the Senate.
Beverley Tucker, the proprietor Of the Washington
SeNfinet, has to-day made tender for reporting the
debatea a the Senate, for which she Unsom surrsn-
dered it contract. Those Who appear to b. in
good position for judging. opne that the contract
viii not be given TO the Semtiyei.
Last night, the second grand ball Of the sseSon
came of at the National Hotel-the FIRST having tax
On place fortnieht previously. Thess balls have
long borne me reputation Of being she mon brilliant
lards Hotel and Browns both enter into rivay with
the National in the matter OF these parties but for
80 far the palm teodedly rests with the latter The
plan on which they are conducted Ii this The pro
pretor announces 10 his lady guests his intention 10
give party on = certain evening every week or
fortnight. The ladies, who are permanent boarders-
that is beardcrs for the session-form 4 caucus aad
elect six Of their number lady pasnesses aud six
gentlemen o. the house as managers. This Is NEST
important convention, and the greatsst variety OF in
terest 4 represented in it. However, the shoise is
finally made, and cards Of invitation are printed,
bearing the names Of the persons SO elected. Daoh
OF the permanent lady b0arders Is entitled to six
ticxetA Of invitation, which she distributes to her
ssp be- xn, sas mode y na
great desire TO attend these parties the efforts made
TO obtain tickets are astounding. None of the gen.
tsmen who have the misfortune 70 occupy bachelors
but the transient Lady boarders are entitled to ono
each.
The difficulty Of procuring tickets q one chef
cause OF the great reputation Of these balls. Another
cause is that they are really excsllently mausged
and fashionably attended. That on Thursday even
ing was very brilliant affair, although perhaps 1t
could not compare with your balls ct the opoian
Saint Nicholas, either In numbers or general mag
ni6oencs. However, It is not to be supposed thst
any other city in the Union can vie with New York
10 point Of elegance, fashon, or beauty But il
feshing, outside Of thas metropolis to witness ooOA-
aonaly such reunion ~ that which had She plea.
sure of attending here the other evening. had not
been favoraby impressed with the beauty Of such of
the fair sex "a had met here at several other parties
Is am not particularly partial to false curs, paint
and French chalk, when applied to persons other
wise good looking enough and certainly agree.
ably disappointed at seeing 30 many really hand
some, unehslked, implanted, gay and fashionaby
entered. Saint Anthony, with al his sanctimsnous
churlishness, could not have any longer wthstood
such temptations; but II the good old SAINT were not
laid up with the govt he would be apt to put aside
his breyiary and beads, and join in the delightful
whirl OF the schottisch, or-as more In consonance
with his quiet character imby amble through the
quadrille. What Saint Anthony might have done
WAS very prompt to do, and q more agreeable, gay,
lively and social party, have rarely found myself
associated with.
The city Of New York was represented BY several
of the most handsome ladies In the room; Of WHOM
one-Aiss Stuyvessnt, think might be hailed a.
the belle. She came to the ball with Gen. SAN
Houston, who with his huge grizzly beard and nous
tache, and his not very fashionsDly cut coat aud
pants, contrasted well with the blooming and ele-
gantly aHiIed girl, who, ever and anon, as they
promenaded the room, turned her laughing eyes on
his in acknowed sment Of some good Pike which Sam
was getting Oh: l might name several other pretty
women from New York who attracted much asten-
ton, but win only mention as first ameog them
Miss c. and Miss Trotter
Mrs. Gwin, wife Of the Senator from California
and Mrs Brown, OF Mississippi were two Of the ms
for THAR personal charms a. for their elegant attire
The other ladies Waters to Washington, who car
risd gentlencns eyes and hearts wherever they
vent-were Miss Wentworth -of Iiinsis, believe
the Misses James, OF Providence R. l., the petite MlA
Hart Miss Whitney, and the merry blonde Miss
NcCawley. Mias Calvert, Of Maryland, was as re
variable for her nsstnsss and pcity Of drea rs
for her pure and sputtuSi style Of beauty.
The only notable characters among the gentlemen
on whom my attention fell, WAS Sam Houston, Judge
Douglas, and your friend John Cochrane. who per
haps strayed away thus far nom the duties Of his
surveyorship, In his zeal 10 find that Scarlet Letter
and Representatives, who came perhaps 10 and re-
Taxation In the bah room from that absorbing top c.
Nebraska. / guess they had little idea OF politics
whea they we're being whirled round here, pushed
forward there, and roted round In tho variety Of uu
Ineligible figures which go to make MP the e1sess
he OF n regular old, fashioped Virginia reel with