Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-18
WARRINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP,

"AooANu1VN c6WS ANU 6CSSlP.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs.-The
Committee of Claims having no relation what
ever to politics, criticism of its composition
would be out Of place in this series of sketches
1t Is followed by the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, of which Mr.. Pennington, of New
Jersey, Is the chairman. In the present state
OF Europe and Central America there is
scarcely more important committee known
to the organization of the House, more espe-
cially since the Republican party in the Sem
ate has openly proclaimed that it favors the
policy of getting up war with England about
Central America, or what not, for the chances
Of acquiring Canada involved in such state
OF things. Luckily for the cause of common
sense as an element of the system on which
this government manages its matters in dispute
with other Powers, Mr.. Pennington is no Re-
publican party man, though he voted for Mr.
Banks steadily, after it became apparent that
the twenty-five or thirty Republicans In the
hall had made up their minds to permit no
other opponent of the Nebraska-Kansas bill
to be chosen to the Speakership. Upon ques-
lions connected with our foreign relations
there is no more conservative member in either
House than Mr.. P. He is Newark lawyer,
of fine professional abilities. He served in
the last Congress, of which he was by no
means talking member. On slavery ques-
tions his votes were generally with the anti
slavery interest, while on other subjects his
course was distinguished by rigid conservatism
and good sense. With the exception Of his
propensity to vote with the anti-slaveryites he
is, in all respects, a safe statesman, and will
permit nothing to be recommended by his
committee likely to make our government
laughing stock, or to involve Us in unneces.
cary trouble abroad.
Mr.. Bayly, of Va, named by Speaker
Banks No. on Foreign Affairs, has been its
chairman for four years. His health is so
feeble that he has only been two or three days
In the hall since the session opened. He is at
present in Cuba, from whence he will not re-
turn until the political struggles of the seq
sion are over, We presume. Under existing
circumstances, it is utterly impossible that his
position on this committee will be more than
here, as all know him we'll, through his long
and prominent connection with American pub
lie affairs.
Mr.. Clingman, of N. c., an old member,
though a young man, is No. 3 on Foreign At
fairs Few in the House have more expe
rience in Congress than Mr.. c., or are better
read with reference TO the history Of our af-
fairs with foreign governments. Politically,
be is an independent Wing; though practi-
cally, no man in the hall is now moro ar
IDENTIFY devoted to the main features of the
policy of the Democratic party. He is an
able debaser, and usually very active upon
incidental matters; his course is often marked
by independence Of party. 1t strikes US that
there IL no little of the element of Young
America IN his composition, which is kept
under subsection, however, by the lessons
drawn from his great experience in connection
with matters of State.
Mr.. Aiken, of South Carolina, who was
voted for for Speaker ~ the Democrats and
south Americans, is one of the quietest mem
Ders OF the House, and probably much the
wealthiest Having spent much of his life in
Europe before and after he served as the
Governor OF his State, he is exceedingly we'll
informed for he has long been a student, in
the broadest acceptation of the term, with
reference TO government in all its relations
Making no pretention to oratory, he is, never
theless, one of the safest men now in Ameri-
can public life; possessing, as he does pro.
verbally, an extraordinary share of good
sense and good temper, which have achieved
LOT him personal popularity perhaps greater
tnan mat enjoyed among his follow members
by either of his contemporaries.
mr. fuiier, OF Pa, was a Whig member of
the Congress before the last, wherein be vo,sa
with those who termed themselves "onnons,,.
Of the extension Of slavery" The publ;c a..
familiar with the circumstances under which
since the first Monday in December last. he
gradually came to take broadly national
grounds on the slavery question No member
from a non-slaveholding State now occupies
more conservative position on such issues.
As dcbster, he is a gentleman of fair abili-
ties Personally, Mr.. Fuller is exceedingly
popular with bis party-the National Ameri-
cans-While he has large number of friends
among the other members. He may now fairly
be classed as one Of the stauucbe,t amt. Abo,;.
tionists in the Hall.
Mr.. Mattsson, Of New York, formerly a
Wing, is now serving his third term IN tbs
House, where he is recognised a. the premon;.
tory Of Governor Seward. OF course be is an
uitrs Republican party man. Thsueh lav.