Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-01-31
From our washington Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, Jan. ~, 1856.
Pacific Railroad reconamitted to the Committee of
13-French iSpoliation and Bounty Land Bills
Ptundering the I1easury-Londs' gt0en ase9y--
The sort of men needed at WdshingtOn-k. AZ.
Denaonstrdtion-V Virginia Election Commodore
ry-Japan-Rumors Of Peace In Europe.
The Pacific Railroad Bill, which had been ordered
to be enGrosscd aud the main question on it's pas
sage to be put in the House ofRepresentatives when
l closed my letter week ago, taken up on Mon
day, and made regular foot ball for the whole day
motion to recommit the bill to the special Com
mittee of thirteen lost then reconsidered lost
second time, and the bill actually passed, when it
reconsidered and after all referred to the select
committee. A motion to reconsider this vote of re- |
ference was laid on the table on Tuesday morning, |
and thus end for that time put to the parliament |
tary contest on this bill 1t good days work, |
and although the bill not directly defeated it Is
hardly probable that it be got for consldera-
ton again during the present session. Both the |
friends and opponents fthe bill rallied il full force;
andit is set down of the best contested par
llanentary engagements witnessed in the Holse for
long time.
The remainder Of the week has been consumed in
the House in the consideration of the French Spoil
alton Bi it is usually known, better designated
perhaps bill to despo the Treasury of five mil
lions ofdollars and many millions hereafter
can be lobbyed out Of Congress. 1t is believed
that the bill will pass There is some doubt wheth-
or it receive the sanction of the President, but
there is no constitutional objection to the pay
ment Of any and all valid claims against the United
States, and Congress is the proper judge of the
responsibility and liability of the Government, it is
very probable that he will not feel himself justified
authorized to interpose. The question has been
up at least twenty times, extending through peri
cd of fifty years. and it cannot be alleged that Con-
gross has committed error through hasty legisla
ton.
The Senate had the Bounty Land Bill under con-
sideraton Monday and Tuesday. When this bill
was introduced by Mr.. Brodhead it was estimated
at the Pension Office that it would require above
scventycght millions of acres of land to execute it.
BY various amendments it has grown that it will
require at least one hundred and fifty millions of
acres worth to the Government hundred and
eghiy-seyen millions five hundred thousand dollars,
at the present minimum price; to which add twenty
five cents an the cost of the purchase and
surveys Of these lands and the round Of two
hundred and twenty-five millions of dollars Is the
totIl cost to the Government for executing the
Bounty Land Bill. If to this great scheme is added
the French Spoliton Bill and the Pacific Railroad
Bill, with smaller spccuiations, you will have
idea of the plans and schemes on foot to depete
the Treasury and to waste the public lands. In
fact it is avowed by many members a rule for
their action that revenue is to be de-
rived from the public lands and therefore, they
rcady TO adopt any plan which will rid the Govern
ment of them II would seem that in many direc-
tons ti.c services of Representative in Congress
only valued according to the number of f:,vors
he persuade that body 20 grant TO his District
ana the people he represents, without regard to pro-
pricty policy; whereas, a Representative should
be c>tcrnIed in proportion 20 the number ofsciicmeS
upon the Treasury he assists in defeating. The for
any schSme which promises to PCT money into the
pockets of their constituents at Government
pe;i>c. The latter, who guard the Treasury and the
interests Of the people with jealous care deserve and
shu;iid receive the united support of their coTStt-
Such men are needed here, and although by
such careful course, they gain bat littiepopuarty
among the lobby at Washington, and arc frequently
made the objects of attack and rlicuc by the cor
respondents from this City who have of their
own to grind, they prevent the Government from be-
coming the most eXtravagant and expensive one in
existence, considering that its action is confined to
national matters. am glad to be able to say that
the Democratic members from your State belong to
this class, and that there none who watch the
interests of the people with more care, who are
earnest in their efforts to conne the action of
the Government to subjects and measures that will
best promote the interests Of the whole Their
is directed by fixed principles and they consequent
ly enjoy to large extent the respect and confidence
! of the House. and exert an influence among their
! fellow members not exceeded by any of the same
experience and length of service. As Mr. Ashc has
made engagements for the future which will prooa-
bly, prevent q continuance of his Congressional
! reer, it is preSuncC! he viii not he candidate foI
reelection; but the constituencies of McssiS Shaw,
Rufiin and Craige could select Representatives
more acceptable to the true Democracy in Congress
! nor of more immediate influence hCrc-an influence
which, will increase il proportion their length oil
! service.
! mentioned, not long since, that the Democratic
members of the Senate intended at early day to
define their position on the question Of secret Doit
cal societies. Two three informal meetings have
| been held and Interchange of views had, but the
precise shape of the resolutions havnot been agree
upon They will reach final conclusion in few days
| and assume such position with regard to Know
N0thngisln will at once meet the concurrence o.
the Democratic party and rally firmly against this
political hcreSy.
Much interest is felt in the Virginia election. but
the impression grows stronger and stronger every
day that .ir Wise will be most triumphantly elected
III. accounts agree that he is received by the people
everywhere with most decided favor, and that, il
addition the whole Democratic party, excepting
few gl.mblcrs, he will receive the of many
wings who and will not endorse the anIi-rc
bablicaniSm of Know Nothingsm From the noun
tans the information to his prospects mor
than 1attering. Mr.. w Use speaks at Alexandria OF
Saturday next, when it IS expected large numbe
of members of Congress and others from this City
will do themselves the pleasure Of listening to tn
Virginia orator.
Commodore Perry is in the City, and is quit
lion, having just returned from his successful eX
petition to Japan. To conquer the prejudces an,
ovcrturn peacefully the settled policy of a semi-civi
lized country like Japan, is indeed diplomatic fea
to be proud of, rejecting honor upon Perry him
self and credit upon that of the public service
to which he belongs. The immediate trade wit
Japan will not be of any great value, but 1t viii
gradually grow up and in time become of great in
portancc. The Senate, perceive, have called 70
copies of the correspondence relative to the eXped
ton with a view to its publication, which will max
an interesting volume; commodore Perry howevc
! intends to prepare full and complete report here
after, requiring year for its completion, which vii
contain full accounts of all the interesting couni>