New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-13

egaln.
from Our Own Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Monday, Feb. II, 1856.
II would seem as if the difficulties which beset
The Sneakers election are transferred to that of
Printer. at least in part. There is this essential
difference between the two cases: that one was ami
mated By principle and the other is actuated by
desire for spoils At the close Of the voting to-day
fbe Democratic candidate, Mr.. Wendell succeeded
in attaining higher aggregate than his competitor,
Mr. Follett, and the indications were by no means
encouraging to the latter. In this contest every
body is for himself and what is called 1.-THE cause
figures very subordnately TO the pocket. IL is
,nunb IN be doubted whether the Anti-Nebraska
vote can be concentrated upon the present nOm-
inee or any one Of the many who have been
named in this connection. A little discretion at
the outset might have saved all this difficulty and
avoided some heart -burnings, which, like all 9TH
ers resulting from disappointed interest will ran
HE for many long day. 1t has always seemed
to me mistake that the nominations for all the
officers to be elected by the House were not made
at the first caucus, when that OF Speaker was de-
termined, or at least when the selection of Mr..
Banks was reiterated at a subsequent conference.
Then the party would have stood in complete line
upon every point and the stragglers, who are
now 30 ncOnveniently numerous, would have had
less pretense for lodging their duty. Wise men
thought differently, and their judgment prolonged
ihe election of Speaker and has materially embar-
rassed success in the present instance.
Mr.. Seaman, the superintendent of Printing, was
confirmed to-day upon the favorable report of the
Committee of InvtstigatiOL-iust as l predicted
would be- the case several days ago. Although
acquitted upon the particular facts charged against
him, the evidence establishes very clearly, that
relations subssted between this officer and some of
the contractors under his supervision, which are
not consistent with strict regard to the interests
of the Government Holding such position, and
acting as the trustee Of the Government he should
not permit obligations to accrue, which even if in
HOcent in themselves are calculated to invite sus-
picOD. And Mr.. Seaman should learn from this
inqusitiOn how necessary 1t Will be Tor him
in future to scrutinize every item OF the
accounts which he may attest whether
they involve the profits of a party organ or
not. One circumstance in connection with this
inquiry has attracted good deal of notice outside
of the Committee which has yet to be explained
Heretofore the binding of the various Departments
has been done under the direction of each particu-
lar Secretary. Two years ago clause of two or
three lines was inserted in the Civil and DiplO-
matte Appropriation bill, directing that all this
binding should be executed under the authority of
the Superintendent of Printing. That amendment
never walked into the bill of its own accord. And
the question now is, who got 1t inserted MIR.
Wendell, who superyises the printing OF The Union
Office obtained the Job for himself and his asso-
ciates, and, in Congressional parlance, they made
good thing Of it" if the Blue-Booh tells halt the
truth. Perhaps it was very natural Mr.. Seaman
should favor The Union, but the mystery is, how
the preliminary part of the business was cOntrved.
The Speaker deferred the announcement of the
Committees until tomorrow, departing somewhat
from the usage of bis predecessors. II secretive-
ness be distinctive characteristic OF greatness,
Mr. Banks may lay claim to considerable emil
nence in that particular respect. Thus far, while
patiently hearing suggestions from all quarters,
and inviting them from few, he has cOnhded IN
none either the plan or the details Of his arrange
ments general idea of his programme has been
announced privately, and is sufficiently understood
in well-nfOrmed circles. In order 10 avoid the
pressure of jealous advisers, and to escape the
opportunities of others not included IN that cate
CORY, he prudently locked himself up in the
Speakers room at the Capitol yesterday, aud
devoted the whole day to draught OF the
organization That outline had not been sub
mitted to a single individual IN or out OF the
House. up to the hour OF meeting this morning,
and the reasons which induced the delay then
were because the Speaker was unsettled in his
Judgment as TO the designation of two or three OF
fbe most conspicuous positions. a number OF
active politicians arrived here to-day and will
doubtless endesvor to bring their guns to bear
upon the final result. Ii may be assumed, now
ever. that Mr.. Banks will exercise his own dis
erection and take the whole responsibility upon
himself of the construction of the Committees. In
delicate duty like this no friend would obtrude
an opinion unlimited, and Mr.. Banks has no reason
10 complain of the body of the gallant men who so
nobly stood by him in the recent contest, what
ever opinions he may entertain of others who have
do>ks69 claim to consideration.
NE Speaker invited Mr.. Campbell OF Ohio to
the Craftsmanship of the Ways and Means-the
lender of the HOuse-seyers days ago IN formal
tender He declined to accept it or any other
place, except working one on the Committee OF
Agriculture, where he hoped to be able 10 render
some service to the farming interest of the coun-
try. Notwithstanding this refusal, the overture
was renewed this morning at personal interview
sought by Dir. Banks, aud was accepted. Mr.:
Campbeli's experience in legislation and his paras
mentary knowledge will enable him to fdlhll the
arduOus labors Of this place with advantage to the
public. As discreet friend of the policy of pro-
feeting domestic industry, he can exert an ad.an-
tageous influence, and especially now that the iron
manufacturing interests are threatened with COM
binat0n from various quarters. INDEX.
~ Al a "