Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-28
From our Washington Correspondent.

monopoly Reduction Of the Taritf passed IN the
House-Tsras nlenanitu-BoaT'd Of Ctaims-Eu-
ropean alIinnce against tie Unitcd States-Ineper-
tinent inteyersnce-I'uci1ic RAILROAD Bitt-De-
bate Siacery-a Jill to protect q. s. officers
an tie discharge Of their duty-A band Of t'att0rs
-Reneacat -SLcUery excitement at the North
"A preconcerted movement-4Kind Of tie South
mule up-C2ose Of tie Session.
AS intmated in my last the President sent back
to the House of Representatives, the French Spolia
ton Bill with his objections The message is
able one at defending the country from the
charge of disregardng its duties to real claimants,
and proving conclusivciy that our Government new
er became responsible either legally or morally for
these claims. 1t is urged by the friends of the Bill,
that it became responsible for them through the
Treaty with France negotiated in 1900, yet these
claims were pressed on that Government subsequent
ly and in 1902 she agreed to pay certain classes OF
them in fact, all that she would admit to be just
claims. Great efforts were made here to compel tine
President to sign the Bill and plans arranged to raise
a tremendous howl of indignation against him for
performing a duty imposed upon him by the Con
Stuton, but the reasons assigned for his disapprov
al conclusive that the plans have failed dec-
dcdly. The Integencer attacks the veto power,
but has attempted RECITATION OF the Presidents
objections to the Bill.
The struggle in the House over the Mail Steamer
appropriation Bill ended by adopting an amendment
repeating the right of Congress to give notice OF dis
continuance of the increased compensation, thus
confirming for the balance of the ten years, the
term of the original contract, the present argess of
nearly million of dollars year to this Steamship
line to Liverpool In fact the amendment adopted
plainly contemplatcs it as permanent arrangement
hereafter, and the law will be construed; and
thus the Government is virtually sold to the inter
ests CT New York Steamship Company. 1t has
not vet been acted by the Senate but it will most
probably pass that body without serious opposition.
The House of Representatives has been engaged
until last evening in the consideration OF the Civil
and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill. A large numb
er of amendments usual have been added, and
among others, as | anticipated, amendment has
been agreed to by decided majority reducing the
duties imports twenty per cent The effort to get
II, the tariff bill separate measure having Jailed
its friends seized the first opportunity place on All
appropriation bill by WAY OF rider have no doubt
now it will become a law. Thus this Congress has
taken important step towards securing an eco
nomical administration Of the Government by re
ducng the revenue to figure which will offer less
intlucement spectators their eol IS to depete
the Treasury of surplus.
The veto message Of the President was acted on
Monday, when there were fer the bill li3, against
ii S6-rot two-t birds so the bin failed become a
law The Senate having disagreed to the amend
ments o! the House to the Texas Indemnity BI:l
cutting it down from eight ans! half to six and
hat millions, committee OF conference was oIter-
ed, who agreed 10 split the difference nearly and
make the millions seven hundred and i'll
ty thousand dollars. The Representatives OF Texas
in both Houses have agreed to this compromise, and
it is hoped that this troublesome question oil Texan
indemnity is definitely settled.
The Senate bill to organize Il Board Of claims to
ascertain upon the principles OF equity the amount
due claimants by the Government, passed the House
without amendment ana nov only awaits the sanc-
ton OF the President to become law. The declS-
ions of the Board will not carry with them the pay
ments of the claims admitted, bat Congress Will be
relieved from the constant applications OF claimants
and has reserved itself the right to appropriate
the money for their payment, an! consequently the
right revise the decisions Of the Board Itn this
check it appears that the Board will be one OF great
advantage to the country and to those who have just
claims against the Government.
In the Senate, on Tuesday Mr.. Cass delivered his
views upon the alliance between England and France
and S relations to this Government. He comment
ed at length upon the passage in Napole0ns recent
speech the French Chambers, reitrrating former
declaration by Io Clarendon, Ill the English
House of Parliament, that the alliance had in view
not merely the settlement Of the Eastern question,
but the interests Of the two countries everywhere
II both hemisphercs. He recounted the many an
moving interfcrcncGS with our Diplomacy wherever
it encountered England and France, and deduced
from them conclusive argument that these Govern
mvntS have undertaken to extend their ideas Of a
balance OF power to this Continent, and intend i'll
every mode TO impede the gloWth, lnJurc the lnu-
ence, and check the commercial progress OF this
country. That these countries look upon our he
public with distrust unmngled with fear, is very
probably true and whatever they can accomplish
bv diplomacy LhWart purposes, they VIII GER
tainiy attempt; but they cannot go far TO pro-
woke US to without involving their own inter-
ests and the prosperity of both these countries.
\ long discussion the Pacific Railroad occu-
pied two or three days time of the Senate, ending
in the passage Of the bill providing for the constitute
ton Of three roads-the Northern, the Central, and
the Southern. do not believe that the bill be
passed through the House. if it could, is it prob
able that the means be raised to build either
road. To three roads at is prepostcrouS.
Time will be when a road 10 the Pacific will be Il
commercial necessity but that time has not yet ar
rived The country between Missouri and California
be settled, and the ln,iians driven out before
the road be built.
\ debate involving the questions of Slavery,
Know Nothingism and other kindred isns, sprung
up in the Senate on yesterday, and continued until
II O'Clock at night. \ bill taken up, which
introduced some time ago, to protect officers
and other persons acting under the authority OF the
United States Several of the Northern States have
passed laws, the object of which nuiiiy the fu
gitive slave law, by imposing penalties upon Mar
Silas and other officers of the United States, who
may aid in its execution. The bill provides that suits
brought against them for the performance OF any dl-
tics officers OF the U. s., shall be removable from
the State Courts the Circuit District Courts OF
the United States. The AboitoniSts sprung upon
the bill with eager aviity, although they attempted
to postpone its consideration the ground OF not
being prepared for its discussion. lie Was proved,
however, that the who. tIg Was preconcerted on
their part-thrir speeches pr pared and that each
had agreed upon what he intended to say. MIR.
Douglas seemed the object oil theIr attack. but ii
they have not the hides oI rniuoceros they must
have been very sick OF the business before the dis
tnsuisled Senator from Illinois got through with
them. | have never heard sevcrer eXcoriaton
than he inflicted upon them. The Indignation of
the Senate may be gathered from some remarks by