Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-02-18
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BY THE NATIONAL LINE.
OFFICE, CORNER wATER AND MONROE STREETS.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHNGToN, Feb.

SESATE.-On motion of Mr.. Toombs resolu-
ton was adopted directing the committee on
commerce to enquire into the expediency of ex-
ploring the.river Niger, Africa:
On motion of AIR. Brodhead resolution was
adopted directing the committee on commerce
to enquire into the expediercy of authorizing
the Secretaries of War and Navy, under direc-
lions of the President, to employ such officers
as they think proper to make such exploration
and verifcation of the several surveys already
made for a slip canal near the Isthmus of Da-
ricn 10 connect the waters of the Pacific with
the Atlantic by the Atrial and Truando rivers
Mr.. Stewards bill to perfect the home valuation
principle in the tariff of lS46 was laid on the
table at his own instance, in order to avoid eu-
barrassnent on its consideration.
Mr.. Adams introduced an amendment to ex-
empt railroad iron from duty.
The Senate passed bill, in addition, to act
more effectually, providing punishment for GER
tain crimes against the United States.
A bill to amend the act to provide for a better
organization of the Treasury department and
for the collection transfer, safe keeping and dis
burScment public revenue, and bill confirms
ing to States, swamp and overlooked land there
on, also passed.
Mr. Stuart introduced bill to further amend
the act for better security of the lives of pas
scngers on board of vessels propelled in whole
or in part by steam.
Mr.. Bell (Tenn.) introduced a bill to secure to
all States some greater measures of justice and
equality in the distribution of public lands and
proceeds. t .es59 s4s.
Senate proceeded to consideration Of bill to
increase the pay of officers of thearmy
Mr.. Johnson from committee on printing,
ported in favor of printing $4,000 extra copies
of the mechanical part of the report Of the com
missioner Of patents; agreed. Adjourned.
HoUsE-Mr. Jones (Tenn) moved further
consideration of the bill postponed till Slst of
March. NepatiVed. IA aEalnSt ll4.
Mr. Campbell [ohio) said he would interpose
no objection to the amendment which has been
designated, namely, proposing that the line
shall be open to the people of the o. s., without
limit of time, and that at the end of ten years
government may, after years notice terminate
the contract.
Mr.. Florence asked what security have we of
controlling messages over the entire line from
London to Washington? None whatever. The
Ocean and Atlantic Submarine Telegraph Co. is
but one Ink in a great chain. There are three
distinct corporations composing the; means of
communication, one of5which IS a monopoly of
the lines extending from Nova Scotia to n. Y.
hence we have no certaintyin the Transmission
of dispatches from London to Washington, and
can only have that assurance by one line iden-
teal in iuterest, extending from each Of the two
last mentioned cities tostheother.
Mr.. Campbell, of. Ohio, reierred to the few
remaining days offthe session, and invoked the
gentlemen. to dispose of thslneasure, in order to
then proceed to the consideration of various i'm
portant bills. zz
Mr.. Florence said this only went to show the
power of corporations to influence Congress and
interrupt public business:
Mr.. Campbell, Of Ohio, replied he did not
know what amount of influence corporations
had hero been operating; but during his term
of service, he recollected, q national vessel was
employed to bring foreigners and KosSuth to
this country The gentleman had no constitu-
tional scrupleS TINT time, nor for voting to send
a vessel with supplies to Ireland, during the
famine. at the last session the gentleman, of
Pa, voted TO send national vessel to Cape
Verde. He did not know the gentleman acted
under the force of any corporation, but for par
ticular class of voters. He recolected, too, at
the last session of Congress- the gentleman sane
toned vessel to be sent out for sugar cane cut
tings. He could see nothing unconstitutional
in all this. As to the submarine telegraph, it
was one of the greatest schemes of tho age
He was willing to meet our an;ient enemy, now
our present ally, midway in the ocean and there
shake hands,
Mr.. Florence could sec no analogy between
the cases recited by the gentleman from Ohio,
and that before the House.
Mr.. Wakeman called up Barbour's motion to
consider the vote by which the Senate sublna-
rine telegraph bill was referred to committee On
post Offices
Mr.. Jones (Tenn) moved to lay motion on the
table; negativcd.
The question on reconsidering then carried.
Mr.. Jones CTenn.l moved to lay the bill on the
table; negatived-ayes n, nays ia. He then
Intellectually moved to refer the bill to commit
tee of ways and means; ayes "a, nays l12.
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