The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-01-10


! ious features complained Of.
I ANOTHER STRIKE. Owing to the hard times
scarcity Of money, and high rates demanded
for board, the members Of congress intend tt
strike for higher wages. Mr. Badger, of thu
senate, has introduced a bill giving to member
Of congress fifty per cent. advance upon thei
per diem compensation, making the pay tsrelu
dollars q day1 This is all right, we suppose
but think that the more just and equitable me
thod would be for congress to adopt the sliding
scale and class its members, and then pay then
according to their talents, capacity, industry
and usefulness. Let them adopt the maxim
that 'sthe laborer is worthy Of his hire" anc
i pay him according TO the value Of the worl
done, and the skill displayed in its execution
BY such a plan justice would be done not only
to congressman, but to their constituents
i Some few of the members would be entitled te
Ia greater per diem than is now paid, IS,
while it would clearly demonstrate that full two
1 thirds are of no value whatever to the country
and would be dear bargains even if they work
ed for their board and lodging It speaks i'll
for the disinterested patriotism of our congress
men to find them yearly neglecting the inter.
ests Of the country and wants Of their consti-
tuents, for the purpose Of discussing the expe-
diency Of increasing their own salaries and de,
vising modes by which they can get their hands
into the treasury. The man who takes seat
in the Legislative halls of his country, with no
more exalted opinion Of the duties of the high
station he fills than the daily pay he receives,
ought to have remained at home; for he dis
graces the position he occupies and the people
who elected him. Such men go to Washington
for the purpose of enacting laws for money, and
feel not the slightest interest in their country
or their constituents
The subject Of appropriations for the i'm
proyement of rivers and harbours is not to be
abandoned by congress, Notwithstanding the
presidential veto, and theexertions of his myr-
midons Members are determined to try vari-
GUS bills upon their own merits. Mr.. Shields
{ democrat from Illinois, has commenced the
work in the senate SO far as lis State is con-
cerned, and Mr.. Stuart, democrat, Of Michi-
gan, who at the lastsession had charge of the
river and harbour bill, has given notice in the
house ofrepresentatives ofhis intention to intro
.duce bills making appropriations for the i'm
provement of the harbours on the northern
lakes. Tt is determined that these works shall
be a test, to prove who are the men that repre-
sent the wishes Of their constituents, and strive
to redress their grievances; and show who are
the tools and sycophants, that have no will of
their own and are forced to vote and act as
the president orders them
Publishing political letters, or circulars, is
all the rage at present. Every man Of note in
the Union appears to be laboring under an hal
Inclination thatitis all important his views should
be known. The last case is that of commodore
Stockton, late democratic U. S. senator from
New Jersey. He endorses in the main all the |
doctrines of the know nothings; says that he is
against Merchandising foreigners already en-
titled to vote, but is opposed to making any
more foreigners voters until they have remain
ed in thecountry twenty one years; and he is
opposed to any interference with the religious
rights of man. The know nothing journal at
Camden sides with the commodore in the views
he has taken, and there is much talk going on,
md considerable excitement manifested on the
subject. The leading democrats of New Jer-
'ey, the Keystone says, favor this movement Of
he commodore.
The Charleston Courier publishes the skele-
on of bill, which will be submitted to the S.
Carolina legislature, to suppress bowie knives,
links, etc. The bill prohibits the sale of such
weapons undera penalty of $1,000 and impri-
for twelve months. It also provides
hat IF any person shall kill any one by stab
oing or shooting with weapon concealed, ex-
posed, or worn about his person, OF persons, he I,
shall upon conviction be adiudged to be guilty
Of felony without the benefit of clergy, unless
The judge trying the case shall be of opinion
that such killing was in self-defense, then the
jury may find verdict Of not guilty" The
gill also declares that any person carrying fire
arms, bowie knives, or deadly weapons, open
or concealed, he. or they shall be subject to a
inc Of $3.50 and six months Imprisonment in
he county jail.
$500 ~~s@--4--~.~@~S- -s@~
Advces from Washington state that the ex-
scutive have no recent dispatches from the
Sandwich islands. Its understood that a spir-
ted correspondence is going on between Eng
and, France and the United States, in relation
o these island. France and England are op-
posed to our government taking possession of
hem. tits, also, stated that president Pierce
$ opposed to the proposed annexation, on ac-
count Of the exorbitant pension demanded by
he royal family.
An election for municipal officers took place
IN the 1st inst, at Alexandria and resulted
n the triumph Of the democratic ticket over