New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-01-03
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25, |,

Congress in anticipation Of the holidays, has done
but little for the last few days. The Senate has con-
tnued the discussion of the Presidents message :
and the House has occupied its time mostly in what !
is here technically called 'flbustering-that is max
ing great ado about nothing.
On Monday they took whole day to elect chap !
lain TO the House for the present session-honorable
members suddenly becoming very pious, after spend
ing three weeks Of the session without giving the
slightest attention to their spiritual welfare Rev
Daniel Waldo, the chaplain Of the last session, was
finally elected over sixteen competitors
The House also passed Joint resolution expana-
tory Of joint resolution passed year or two ago,
under which the President conferred upon General
Scott the title Of Lieutenant General by brevet Some
difficulty as to the pay to which General Scott
was entitledand this resolution is introduced for the
purpose Of giving him the pay which was designed
by the original resolution 1t is likely it will also pass
the Senate though, from certain indications in some
of the Democratic journals it appears probable that it
may still be contested from the force of party ami
mostly.
Mr. IetCher Of Virginia has introduced revenue bill
in the House substitute for that reported from the
Committee of Ways and Means-the object of which
is to reduce the revenue from imports down to the
. lowest possible point consistent with an economical
administration of the Government. The revenue from
duties now exceed sixty millions of dollars per annum.
Mr. Letchers bill will have the effect if passed of re-
ducing it down to the neighborhood of forty millions.
The expenses of the Government have increased pari
passu with the increase Of the revenue. Mr.. Letcher
proposes to diminish the expenses by diminishing the
supplies. He has acquired the title of the Cerberus
of the treasury, from the vigilance with which he
guards it against all assaults from the machnatioas OF
! the lobby.
Gen. Qutman, from the Military Committee, at.
temnte to introduce bill on Tuesday increasing the
pay of the officers Of the Army but failed to get the
! House to receive it. The old General warned the
House (what every acquainted with the affairs OF
the army knows be true) that unless some increase
Of compensation was made to the officers Of the
army, we would soon be without any, owing to the
frequency of designations on account of insufiCency
of pay captain of the army, who was educated at
West Point, and who has been twenty-five years in
active service in Florida and Arkansas told me the
other day that his pay only about 81 700 year
which is less than that Of many of third rate clerks
in the public departments Of the Government. Under
these circumstances, Congress cannot refuse and
ought not to refuse to make liberal increase in the
pay of these much enduring servants of the public.
In the Senate nothing has been done this week. ex.
cept discussion of the bill granting additional pay
to the descendants Of Revolutionary officers and an
elaborate speech the President messag ge and gene
raj politics, from Mr.. Brown Of Mississippi Mr.
Brown spoke with his accustomed vigor and elo
quenee, and yaked the Black Republicans on the other
side Of the Chamber from stem to stern. He was par
ticuary severe on Wilson, and convicted him OF ut
tering the most atrocOus sentiments with regard tC
the duty o. slaves towards their masters Wilson
denied the charge that was made against him, but
Brown fortified it with inContestible proof
It is said here that Sumner will return to the Senate
in few days. having recovered from the wounds
physical and mental with which he has been afflicted
Public sympathy with him in the North being vel
nigh exhausted, be proposes to come again to Con
gress and set up business martyr in the cause o
freedom. 1t was supposed that Sumner would neve
return to the Senate, but it his ambition rise
superior to his martyrdOnl.
The steamship Tennessee sailed from New York yes
terday with q large number of passengers, and lib
eral store of supplies for Gen. Walker in Nicaragua
1t was supposed that the District Attorney wOu
prevent her from sailing, the score of violation
of the neutrality law, but nothing of the sort was al
tempted The day before SHE sailed correspondence
took place between Morgan 4 Sons the agents of tn
line, and John MckeOn, the District Attorney
which MCkeOu stated that she would not be detaine
unless suspected of some violation of the law. 1t al
pears then that carrying men and munitions
Walker now, is not regarded as vioatiye of law
though it caS so regarded less than twelve mOntl
ago. Mr.. Marcy seems to be gradually having h
eyes opened, the termination of his official exis
ence draws near.
Neither House of Congress will do anything for ii
next ten days. Many of the members, who are