Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-03-22
Correspondence OF the Journal OF Commeroe.
The Thirty-Third Congress
WAsHTNGToN. March l0

WASHINGTON, March TO-
The members of the late Congress have
nearly all left the city, carrying with them
the especial benedictiOns Of the inhabitants OF
this city for their liberal appropriations for its
improvement and establishment.
The Thirty-third Congress must be regard
ed, ON the whole, as one Of more than average
ability and distinguished for much practical
craftsmanship. Most of the discussions on
the principal topics before it were eminently
abe-for instance, the Nebrrska debate in
both Houses and the debate Oh the judiciary
system of the United States in the Senate
Ii was highly conservative Congress, and
while it sought 20 avoid any steps that would
embroil the country in foreign war, il honest
ly endeayOred, by those measures, to remove
causes of sectional irritation at home. That
its endeavors for these ends were successful,
we have reason TO beleye-for they found
the country in a state of feverish excitement
about some foreign questions, as connected
with both England and Spain, and nave lett
it in perfect quiet They carried into effect
the Reciprocity Treaty with Great Britain,
and were quiescent in regard To all the nu-
merous vexations which attended our relations
with Cubs. They settled the Nebraska ques-
ton in a mode that will be acquiesced in by
nearly all except those who were hostile g.
the adjustment of 1850 They undertook to
clear the parliamentary calendar Of the vexs-
tious questions connected with private inter
ests, which had so long embarrassed Congress.
and given rise to a system of lobbying which
had so long annoyed and disgraced il. TLey
turned over all claims to proper tribunal for
their adjustment and have thus rid their sue
Of l...rf l..
Of this sort they undertook to settle At once.
They passed bill to provide for the settle
ment of the French Spoliation claims. and
another for the Texas Creditors Claims
Though one was vetoed, and the other, in NV
opinion, ought to have been, vet Congress
acted in regard to both, with conscientiOu,
desire TO do justice, and relieve their sucees
sors from a continued contest on those sub
jects. They were disposed 10 revise the
Tariff in manner that would do Justice u
all interests and sections, and vet reduce the
rate of duties, and prevent an embarrassing
and couupting accumulation of revenue The
House passed very good Bill by large ma
jority, AMI the Senate wonid have concured.
but for the want Of time 10 press it 10 vote.
against the opposition Of a few of the pFo-
tectives.
They did not pass General Land Bill.
though they projected several They dia
not pass Homestead Bill, nor State Distr
button Land Bill, and il is very fortunate that
they did not For this omission they de
serve credit. By way Of compromise Of the
land question, they adopted measure for the
distribution of a hundred and fifty millions
of acres of the public domain among old sol
diers is such way a. to approximate 10 an
equal distribution 10 every neighborhoOd and
every family in the country--a measure which,
to the surprise of many, the President apprc-
ved Warned by the experience of the world,
that it is necessary to prepare for the evil OF
war; while we seek to avoid it, they have pro
vided for the completion, repair, and anna
ment ofsome Of our long neglected fortifca-
tions, at important strategic points, and baSe
augmented the army, and provided for an in
crease Of the Navy, and for the improvement
and efficiency Of its discipline. They settled
long pending and irritating questions with
our neighbor Mexico, in terms which, IL not
wise, were at least extremely liberal and gem
erous on our part.
They passed bills for the improvement Of
rivers and dharbors-though only one OF them.
and that one Of fincOnsiderable importance, the
Savannah river bill--happsnd to get through
the narrs s-w strait Of Executive approval.
The Pacific Railroad was provided for, bnt
the Senate did the best for ID, for they passed
Bill for three roads, and the House, at one
time, wavered between one road, and a trunk
with three branches, but found time TO las.
none. They have established new territorial
governments and protected the frontier set
Elements and made liberal grants for terrific
rial roads and Improvements, and TINS open
ed wide field for the spread of our popnla-
ton and institutions May the next and each
successive Congress do as much good aud as
little harm as the Thiny-thinl Congress.