The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-02-22
II E IN Is 1E q IS EaNsT Il RE SIS
Congress-.

lHE l1oHse OF Representatives hRsSat last
completed its organization, and is fiowfeady
for apitched battle on the Kansas question,
orIany other question relating to slavery.--
lCGlLoM, asTcnnessce Know Nothing, and
an anti Nebraska member of hcslast Coz
gress, was elected Clerk by n fusion of Black
Republicans and South Americans The
contest for Public Printer was somewhat
rrotracted, but finally was decided in, favor
of WESDELL, the Democratic nonaineess.-
This office ispcrhaps tho moskdticrative one
in tho gift Of thesHousc, and the Republic
cans fought hard to,secure; intending, it Is
said, to establish Republican newspaper at
Washington, if they sutceeded in cltcting
their Candidate. 1Itsesmstbat the Southern
knowsN otl,ings after, the Republicans had
assisted them to elect CULloM dissolved the
frn, and refused to vote for, the Republican
pominee fpr Printer. Hence the election Of
WEspELL, ,whe.is .asprae,ical printor and a
worthy man.. : : ssass . il. Is, s.s
the speakerllas, announced the various
standing Committees: ofssouiHe he has
given his own party a arepopderance in the
aPpoiptments-ta vast preppudsrance. The
Committee on Ways and Meahs has three
Republicans. two$D Democrats antltwo Know
Nothings Committee on Elections, fiye
Republicans, two Democrats, two Know
Nothingssaud one Whig---A. II. SrEpuEHs,
Of Georgia; ION tliasDistrict Of Columbia,
fise Republicans four Democrats; Judicial:
~, five RepuLlica1s;tso Democrats, and
two Know Nothings Territories, six Repul,-
licans, two, Democrats, one Knom.Eo,hing.
These; arc a, fewaof the most important
Committees, and will show tl,c general COM
plexion Of all. They are such as will prob
ably report against W1urf1ELp, the Kansas
delegate; in favor Of aholislling slavery in
the District.of Columbia; repeal of the fu-
gitive slave law, and sucl other fanatical
measures rs their hatred to Southern slavery
may suggest. But the mere fact that stand
ing committee reports, is no evidence that
their report will be adopted .thcresis little
probability that, a single 'vo,e;x@il BE-
changed in that way. And evehx if sucl,
measures as we have MENTIONED We're to be
passed through the House, Acy could never
get. through the Senate. Whilst the Sen.
ate is composed' ssit;no& is. and the Exec
utivc power is vesteds sifi such man as
FRANkL1N Pierce, the "fusion cohorts" NAV
charge in vain. When they shall have
seized upon these departments Of power, we
repeat, "let the Union slide" If the Souili
is really i'll earnest about maintaining lpr
constitutional rights, she viii surely then
show her faith by her works. And it is
vain to think Of bringing all the Southern
States to the disunion point short Of such u
state Of aff:,irs, if indeed it can be done at
all. If Abolitionism is to possess the whole.
Government, or even mnintain its present
power, it is to be hoped the next Presi,len-
tial election will tell the tale. But we have
digressed from the object Of these few lines,
which was merely-to present brief review
of items Congressional.
To return to the Committees. Not sin
gle Southern man has been given the chair
manship Of a Committee whose report is in
any way to concern. the question Of slavery.
The South Carolina delegation arc distrbu-
ted as follows: Mr.. McQUEEs On the Com
a e
lnittee. on CqiGnarce; Mr.Onn Committee
on Iu'lian Affair." Mr.. BoYcE, Naval AZ
fairs; Mfr. 5kEs, Foreign. A fairs. and Ii.
brary.; MrsKErrr,s Public Buildings; Mr..
BnooKs, Mileage, and Expenditures Of State
Department.
/. Tho Scnate has been engaged in talking
over the Central American question apd
tie doings Of the Naval Retiring Board.
Judge BuTLER made speech, on the latter
subject, a few. days ago, which 10 said to
have been an exceedingly powerful argu-
r'ett s. against the psoeecdings of the Board
Jons R1cxELs, of Ogletl.orpe county,
Geofgia. died on thee s0th ;..ul,imo, at The
sal1e! of le4 iyests. 5He wsa or
iginallysof Virginia. but moved to Georgia
many .yearssHg6; When ,Mt Riekels was
befSeens 98 yapd 100 ysaia ssii sold, i he
Work irregular /. and generally plangfed,
and Was wont.tdlboast tllat be could put N , np
more. fence ihah any 4mao.in ,the coiiiiiry.
Last yeas: :hes cultissted s few aayessn corn
With the shea pply, and made good scorn.
When hswas ever ] 60 asold he would.