The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-01-27
Correspondence of the Day Book.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18th 1858.

Mr.. Editor AS our city is at this
time pretty well crowded with strangers
and visitors, and being, as it generally, is
during session of our National Con-
gress, looked to as the fountain head
from which must flow all the benefits re-
sulting from the labors of the peoples
representatives, must continue to draw
together from all parts Of the country
persons of every description, grade and
character, from the more ambitious, who
seek the highest stations in the gift of the
government, to the humble seeker of
messengership.
These classes of visiters in Washing
ton, still continue to bore the chief mag
istrate with their claims for positions in
his gift; and were it not that President
Buchanan is said to have the patience Of
Job, might probably meet the same I'M
tirely end that Presidents Harrison and
Taylor met with.
Senator Douglas has greatly astonished
many of the members of the Democratic
party, by the course he has taken in re-
ference to that long worn out and stale
subject, "Kansas affairs" We admire a
bold and independent, open and free
spirit, whether in friend or foe, and think
that in free and enlightened country
like ours, man ought to have, at least
in political matters, the right to express
his opinions When this subject gets full
ly before Congress, it is limited that there
will be more causes for establishment and
wonder. We shall see.
The resolution of Mr.. Doolittle, in the
House of Representatives, in reference to
granting Com. Paulding a gold medal
for arresting Capt Walker and his fol-
lowers, caused considerable debate in that
body on Friday, many members being in
favor of censuring the act as being I'M
lawful, and Mr. Brown offered a substi-
tute condemnatory of the act, as it was
done without instructions either from the
President or Secretary of the Navy.
We see that the Senate have common
ced the work Of restoring many of the
Naval Officers who were dismissed, re-
served or retired, by the late Naval
Board, which has been, by some termed
the "Naval Inquisition." A resolution
has, believe, passed both Houses of
Congress, granting time to the Naval
Board to complete investigation of the
cases pending before them and unfnish-
ed; they having adjourned without get
ting through with them,) which will per-
haps give many others an opportunity of
getting placed in the same position in the
Navy, from which they were removed by
the former Board.
The House of Representatives seem to
be in a fieror in reference to the conduct
of its late officers, having after consider
able debate, appointed a committee to in
vestigate the conduct and accounts of the
late Door-keeper of the House, and also,
committee to investigate the alleged
corruption used to secure the passage of
the tariff of the last Congress. When
these different subjects, which unneces-
sarily consume so much time and valu-
able time too of our representatives, shall
60 through the scrutiny of committee,
aud as usual, the "mountain will bring
forth mouse" we suppose Congress
will go to work in earnest, take up the
Presidents message, and earnestly and
candidly consider the many vital and i'm
portant subjects recommended therein;
many of VIII ich are of the greatest neces-
sity, and which Including the one recon-
mending the building of ten war steam
ers,) would give hundreds of our me-
chanics, who are now, at this season of the
year, when work is most needed unable
to obtain livelihood. Are not those
steamers so earnestly recommended by
the President, needed for the accomplish
ment of the various ends for which our
navy is intended; if they are, then why
not have them built, and not let our
navy yards and dry docks lay idle, and
our mechanics, 1.-THE bone and sinew of
the land whose workmanship and me-
chanism, we can boast, and no other ma
ton dare dispute our claim of superiority,
speed, and ingenuity combined. If we
have the means in the Treasury, why
not circulate it among our people, and
not let it rust in the Golfers of the public
crib.
The annual seasons of hops and dances
in the higher circles of upper-ten-dom is
at this time fairly underway in our city.
During ball of the Franklin Fire Com
pany the other evening, the observed of
all observers was an Indian Chief dressed
in his full Indian costume, and the side
glances thrown at him by the fair sex
indicated spirit of uneasiness on tier
part, they We're not like the smiles thrown
at those whom they meet in every day
lif., bewitching in the beginning, fascinat-
ing in the extreme, and dangerous in the
end. On our Indian being invited to
join in the festivities of the occasion he
declined on the ground, that he did not
like the looks of the crinoline arrange
ments of the fair sex. Yours, &C.,
HARRY.