Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-02-18
coRRRspouDEucE OF THE STANDARD.

:
< Another week Of the session has expired and
without accomplishing much, if any, of the business
now pressing upon Congress. Two weeks and two
days remain, and what is to be done must be done
quickly. The tariff has been discussed to some ex-
tent by several members of the House, and it is pro-
posed to take the vote on the bill and its numerous
amendments early next week. Even should it pass
the House, there is scarcely time for its considers
ton in the Senate. There is strong possibility,
therefore, that nothing will be done upon this inn
portant subject unless the simple proposition for ia
king off per centage from the rates OF duty now
paid shall be summarily passed in the last hours of
the session, leaving more complete arrangcmertof
the tariff for the next Congress.
Saturday last was devoted in the House to the
consideration of Territorial business and during the
day bill was passed, authorizing the construction
of two wagon roads from the western settlements to
ney, in Nebraska Territory, through the South Pass
of the Rocky mountains to California; the other
commences at Ell Paso, in the Territory of New Mex
leo, and runs by the Southern Pacific Railroad route
to Fort Yuba, at the mouth IF the ella. These
roads very important improvements being open
to the public use and not the property of any pri-
vate corporation, as Pacific Railroad must be. A
line Of settlement will spring up along these routes,
which will commence the development of unknown
regions, and contribute largely to the defence Of the
country against the Indians of the great western
plains.
Dr Uranam N t1tcn, the new OehatOr from IN
diana, presented himself in the Senate on Monday
to take the usual OATH Objection was Immediately
made to his taking the seat at all, but after long
debate it was determined that he should be sworn
in. 1t has always been the custom to permit Sena-
tors elect presenting themselves with the usual GER
tificate from the Governor to take their seats, and if
their right to hold the seat be questioned to inves
tigate it afterwards. In compliance with this GUS
tom DIR. Fitch was sworn in, although the impress
sion prevails that large majority Of the Senate do
not regard his election as legal or regular. Stimuli
taneousy with his arrival here. messenger from the
Senate of Indiana reached Washington, bearing
protest against his right to the seat signed by ma
jority of that body The matter has been referred
to the Judiciary Committee for examination, and
report may be expected at an early Gay. The Leg
islature of Indiana is still in session, and decision
of this is desired before shall have adoui ned
so that an opportunity may be given to elect Sena.
tor legally and regularly. l notice that the new
Senator from Missouri Mr.. Green, has offered a
solution looking to the passage of law by Congress
to regulate the election of United States Senator's
In view Of the many instances recently of factions
proceedings in legislative bodies. such law seems
greatly needed.
The bill in aid ofthe Atlantic Submarine Telegraph
Company, has been referred in the House to the
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads. The
reference is regarded nmical to its success feel
ing has sprung up recently that the bill secures to
the New York and London Company too exclusive
BILE term of years of monopoly dangerous to the
business interests of the country. At all events,
caution should be observed, and as the Company
declares itself able to construct the line without the
aid of the Government, it may be quite we'll for
the Government to decline granting any subsidy to
it, making of it as any other customer will have
the right to do.
The ceremony of counting the electoral votes cast
for President and Vice President ut the meeting of
the electoral colleges in the several States on the Sd
of December, was gone through with on Wednes
day last being the time designated for that purpose
by the Constitution. The counting was made in the
Hall of the House of Representatives, in the presence
Of both Houses by teers appointed for that purpose
The vote of Wisconsin was objected to, whereupon
discur>ive debate sprung up while in joint session,
which was cut short by the withdrawal OF the Sem
ate to its own chamber. The electors of Wisconsin
were prevented from reaching the State capital on
the Sd of December last by violent snow storm
they assembled on the day following, when the vote
duly cast. 1t is held that the failure to meet at
the appointed time vitiates the vote, and that it
should not be counted. In the present instance its
exclusion makes no difference, but case may be
easily imagined in which the question of regularity
would decide the election Of President The official
announcement of the election of Mr.. Buchanan and
Mr. Breckenridge was duly made by the President
of the Senate while the two Houses were still in
Convention.
As Cabinet news may be expected by your rea-
ders, suppose ought to communicate the pre-
vai|in5 rumors of the day; yet the fact Is, there is
nothing from Wheatand of definite character. The
quidnuncs have it that the State Department lies
between Robert j. Walker and Howell Cobb, with
the chances in favor of the latter 1t is known how
ever that Mr.. Bright of Indiana and Gov. Floyd OF
Virginia, are now on visit to MIR. Buchanan, and
it is asserted positively that the former will be the
Secretary of the Interior Others say that the OPP
position of distinguished Senator from the north
vest, freely expressed to Mr.. Buchanan during his
visit here makes that arrangement impossible. Mr..
Clifford of Maine, Hon. j. CLANCY Jones' OF Penn
sylvania, and Gov. Aaron V. Brown, of Tennessee,
it is believed will be embraced in the new Cabinet
These are few of the rumors Probably the truth
will not be known until Mr.. Buchanans return here,
shortly before the Inauguration. So, tell your rea-
ders to have patience and in due time they shall
know all.
The last news from Walker and Nicaragua comes
by way Of Panama. and indicates that he IS perfect
ly able to defend his present position With twelve
hundred effective men on the Pacific side and sew
eral hundred recruits at San Juan del Norte there
is no danger of his humiliation. 1t is the rainy
season in Nicaragua and field operations are pretty
much suspended Walker has improved the oppor'
tunity to fortiy his positions, and perfect his de-
fences. The allied troops will hardly undertake to
make an attack delay is their loss. while it is his
gain.
The virtual rejection of the new treaty with Great
Britain has possibly some connection with recent
events at San Juan del Norte 1t is said that the
English Naval officers interfered in some way with
the emgrants to Nicaragua, thus substantially VIC
lating the provisions of the Cayton-Bulwer treaty
which was designed to maintain the neutrality OF the
transit route forever. Perhaps the Senate thinks II
expedient to avoid another such entangling alliance
MECKLENBURG.
Mr.. SPEAKER SHEPHERD.-We heartily endorse
the follow;nc from the last FAYETTEVILLE CarOnan