Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1857-03-11
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE STANDARD.

CORRESPONDENCE OF TIE STANDARD.
WASHINGTON, Feb %, 1857
The consideration Of the cases of corruption re-.
ported to the House of Representatives by its spe-
cal committee, were Set for Wednesday but when
the day arrived it was deemed better to 90 on with
the appropriation bills and get them out Of the way
if possible. They were all disposed of accordingly
and sent to the Senate, although with very little if
any examination 1t vas feared that the corruption
cases would consume much time in their discus
sion as to stand in the way Of everything else.
On Thursday, however, the first case, being that
OF Mr.: Gilbert, was taken up. An amendment was
offered by one of his friends proposing to give him
trial at the bar of the House, and to recall the
witnesses to repeat there the testimony given by
them before the special committee. The House just
ly regarded this course as totally unnecessary,
and designed merely to proong its proceedings and
was rejected after q long debate Mr.. Gilbert de-
sired to put in defence, but not ready on that
evening. On Friday, afer addressing the House at
some ength, he rendered his resignation. On mo-
ton, the resolutions in his case were laid on the
table.
The case of Mr. Matteson followed. It was an
nounced on his behalf that he had sent his resgna-
ton to the Governor of New York. The House,
however, would not pt rmit the matter to be passed
over without an expression of opinion. The two
resolutions embody ng MS opinion were accord
ingly passed, and the third directing his expulsion.
laid on the table. Mr.. Welchs case followed. After
long discussion, the report of the committee
amended declaring the evidence to lie insufficient,
and that no further proceedings should be had
against him. To-day the fourth and last case, Mr..
Edwards, was taken up, when ne submitted state
ment in his defence and announced the Transmission
Of his resignation to the Governor of New York.
Thus ends these remarkable cases They all
three from the State Of New York, and have eva
ded the condemnation OF the House only by tender.
ing their designations. The impression is wide
spread that corruption abounded among the men,
bers Of Congress- Its existence has been proven,
but it caiinot be that it has infected any considera
bic number of its members. There arc q class Of
men here, technically known agents, who find
interest in creating the impression that bills be
passed only by corrupt means. II brings employ
ment to them. 1t induces interested parties to place
money in their hands, which propaby is never used
IN the manner supposed, but is retained in their
pockets. There is no possibility of ascertaning the
use made OF the money, and the agent is therefore
secure from the consequences of having perpetrated
fraud. The recent investigation the most
searching ever executed by Congressional Com
mittee. 1t has exposed three guilty parties, and
they have shrunk away from their dishonored seats
like conscious criminals. Corruption may still
ist but the exposures now made will be warning
for the future of the danger of deviatng from the
path of rectitudc and honor
The Senate on Wednesday reconsidered the amend
ment to the Minnesota bill, adopted on the motion of
COL Biggs, providing that only citizens of the Uni
ted States should vote in the adoption of the State
Constitution, and it was finally passed in the form
in which it came from the House 1t directs the ia
king OF census, the election Of delegates to frame
State Constitution, and submitting it to the people
for their adoption.
The tariff bill was taken up in the Senate on
Thursday, and after long session. lasting until near
two o'clock OH Friday morning. it was passed, but
in shape very different from the bill as it was re-
ceived from the House of Representatives. With
out going into detail it may be stated in general
nf fha IN
observed in the one, that general reduction of
the rates Of duty is provided for, and that it will
produce to the Treasury fifteen millions less than
the tariff Of 1916. 1t passed by nearly two.third
voe, and it is believed that it will be accepted by
the House of Representatives in lieu of their own
project.
The Senate has now taken up the appropriation
bills and will perfect them and dispose of them as
rapidly as as possible Yesterday the post office ap-
preparation bill was passed. An amendment was
added providing for semi-monthy, weekly,
semi-wcekly mail by land from the Mississippi river
to California for the letter mail only to be carried
in four horse post coaches Thus another step is Ia
ken towards facilitating intercourse between the At
lantic and Pacific coast
The provisions Of the new treaty with Mexico are
pretty we'll known. 1t guarantees to the United
States important commercial advantagcs-in recip-
rocity the frontier and in reduction of one fifth
IF the duty charged on irnporations into Mexico on
articles imported from the United States. 1t con-
tempatesno ccssion Of Territory. In consideration
f. the commercial advantages granted to the United
States, Mexico asks for a loan of fifteen millions of
dollars. Accounts from Mexico leave no doubt that
this money must be had, that the present liberal
government must fall, to give place to dictated
BY the Priests. The confiscation and sale of the
church property goes in spite of the clamor of
the clergy, yet rebelons are so frequent got up by
the intrgues of the priesthood that assistance is
quired by President Comonfort, or he must sue.
cumb to the difficulties surrounding him. In that
event, Mexico will subside into worse anarchy
than has yet afflicted her, and it will become ne.
cessity for the United States to administer upon the
effects of the dead man. The treaty is in the hands
Of the President and it is not known whether it
will oe transmitted to the Senate or not. Perhaps
it may be bequeathed to the next administration for
settlement
The knowing ones Of Washington are not yet full.
ly advised as to the formation of Mr.. Buchanans g
Cabinet. To-day it is believed Mr. j. Clancy Jones
will be assigned to the Navy Department as the sue.
cessor of Mr. Dobbin, and that Gov. Brown will be
Postmaster General Mr.. Buchanan will be here on
Monday afternoon, and the precise arrangement OF
his Cabinet may not be determined until after his
arrival.
Last night Gen. Pierce held the last public recep
ton of his administration. The crowd was immense,
greater than was known before on similar oc.
casion, making perfect ovation to the outgoing
President. He was in fine spirits and received eve.
ry with the grace and dignity becoming the
Chief Magistrate uf the Great Republic.
MECKLENBURG.
The PRESIDENTS LAST SABBATH IN WASHINGTON
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