Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-03

W. = II E 5o1sss, sssys Z :s .ss {: ,sa
CORRESPONDENTS OF rHE'srANDARD.
r,f wa : 49,, WAsHNGfoN, Feb u, 1858.
In my letter of the goth February lind that Sc
nator Bggs is represented as having delivered q
speech in opposition TO the bill proposing increase
OF the Army. This statement is erroneous, as on
the occasion referred to, he most earnestly and
strenuously advocated its passage. I do not know
how to account for this gross blunder, Otherwise
than in copying FROM my rough notes. must haze
inadvertently written the words in opposition to-"
instead of Tin support of'the BILL regret, exceed
iagly, its occurrence Dasmuch as endeavor to ex.
ercise the most particular care, in preparing my let
tiers, so as to commend them to your readers by the
reliability Of their statements; and also placing
the honorable Senator in false position with regard
to the administration, when his whole course has
been uniformly characterized by most jealous and
active support of every measure recommended by
the present executive "' ~ '..A ''"'.F@.
The administration can boast the possession Of no
truer friend or more untring and s6sctiue advocate
Of its developed policy than the Senator from North
The Army bill which has occupied the attention
of the Senate for the last six weeks was on Thurs
day defeated by majority Of nineteen votes. Mr..
Biggs voting in favor Of it's passage. Its; defeat
seems somewhat regr ted even by those who most
testers. moved to reconsider the vote by which it
was defeated, pending which the Senate adjourned
This refusal to increase the army will seriously
embarrass the administration in its military opera.
tons in Utah, and it is rumored that, unless some
speedy action is taken to provide an adequate force,
the present expedition will be entirely abandoned.
The House Committee on Military Afairy have
matured bill for the addition of five regiments to
the Army. From present indications, it is very
doubtful whether the House will sustain it. The
administration has done its whole duty in this mat
ter, and is absoved from all responsibility for any
disastrous consequences which may ensue from the
want of sufficient force in Utah and our frontier
settlements .,..... ......-.-..,
In the Senate on Wednesday last there was quite
aspirited "war of words" between Hons. John Bell
and Andrew johnson, of Tennessee, the occasion
Of presenting certain resolutions passed by their
State You will doubtless remember that on the
25th day of May, 1854, MI. Bell delivered speech
in the Senate against the Kansas Nebraska bill and
in the course Of his remarks took occasion to pro-
claim that if upon the Kansas Nebraska question,
any other affecting the interests of the South he
should find his views conflicting, materially, with
what appeared to be the settled sentiment of that
section, he should feel it his imperative duty
tire and he went still further and solemnly added
that if mis- State should declare against his course
he oouM not be seen in ,he Senate day afterwards
The Tennessee Legislature being duly impressed
! with the soundness and extreme propriety of the
views then entertained by the distinguished Senator
have in their legislative capacity expressed their
hearty concurrence, and resolved that inasmuch as
the people have Enthusiastically spoken their dissat-
i>facton with his course, that they nstraned
instruct their Representatives to for the adj
mission of Kansas under the Lecompton Constitu.
| ton.
Mr. Bell did not ''retire' and seen in the Sem
a.e "a day afterwards" his mind doubtless having
undergone radica! change on the Kansas question,
his previously enunciated notions of polite defer.
| M M oScof1v tiS anfh
constituents. been discarded too Quixotc in their
| application. -.. .
How he stands objected towards the bill of Sena
| tor Green for the admission of Kansas I am unable
to say, as Mr.. Bells speeches are so mystified an6
| non commtta in their character as to puzzle the
chrewdest in determining whether he is for Of
| against a measure.
The whole gist and substance of his laboret
speech is embodied in his declaration "that he ha:
not yet determined his course, but will await new
| developments" &C.. .s
Mr. Crittenden has presented the credentials Of Ia,
Hon. JAS Shields, Senator elect from Minnesota
| who claims that he is entitled to his seat ant
| predicates his right, l believe, upon precedent
heretofore established. The matter has been refer
red to the Judiciary committee to investigate and
| port upon. g.. if;sE ~ s-ss.
But little progress has been made by the Kansa
Investigating Committee, owing chiefly 10 absence
| Mr.. Letcher who is i'll.
1t is believed that when Mr.. Letcher is sufficient
ly recovered TO resume his duties, that an attemp
will be made to conclude this farce by majority
port.
On Thursday last the House proceeded to consid
er the resolution of Mr.. Harriss, of Illinois, propos
ing the expulsion of erasmus B. Matteson of New
! York from the House. ..s'',i. Esf~ =
1t will be remembered that Mr. Matteson was a
the last session of Congress convicted, beyond
doubt, Of melting certain parties, interested in tn
passage of resolution for constituting the Des Mo
| ines tn md nSe Of
corruptly, for the purpose Of securing the passag
| of the resolution. 1t was also proven by Hon. Rev
erdy johnson and others, that he had emphatcail,
declared that large number of the members of III
House had eagued together and pledged themselve
each to the other, not to vote for any law res0u
ton granting money or lands, unless they we're pail
| for it.. =.
The House after laborious and searching nves
tgation resolved that-the Gecarationwas false an,
that Matteson had wilfully assaed and DETAINED it
character and was totally unworthy to remain
| member -'~
The resolution embodying the charge of compiled
ty in the corruption case, and declaring that he al
DETAINED the integrity of the House were passed BY
a vote Of 145 ayes to II nays. Prior to action be-
ing taken on the third and last resolution reported
declaring that 20. B. Matteson be and is hereby ex
PEELED he resigned his seat and thus evaded the ad
ditonal and merited disgrace of formal expulsion
The imputatons conveyed by the passage of the
resolutions above referred to still upon him, and
he has as yet afforded his constituents opp0stu
nifty of passing upon his Official conduct. dono
think however that any endorsement by his constitu'
enis should affect the question of his expulsion by
the present Congress. If he unfit and thy
to occupy seat in the last Congress, then should
consIude that he was equally unfit and unworthy to
remain in this unless honorable members have dis.
covered some new process of whitewashing this
/ Black Republican sinner, so as TO remove the vile
| odium which clings to his name.
II he was corrupt and dishonest then, and willing
to sell his own vote or temptingly induce others to
sell theirs aud initiate and prosecute schemes of dar
ing roguery he will be quite as likely to indulge the
same practices again. 1t is not only offence
against the House and his constituents but where