Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-02-18
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
SENATE.--Mr. Mason would also say, not CEN
seriously, that inasnuch rs the Diplomatic SER
vice of this country has extended beyond the
limit which many regard as judicious, it may
become expedicnt to consider not any curtail-
ment of the diic erection of the executive in the
appointing of Ministers, but to fix the compen-
Sation so us to do away with several of the
minor missions to Europeand on this continent
The subject was laid aside to resume the con-
sideration of the Cuba bill.
Mr.. Chandler of Mich, took the floor. He
energetically denounced the measure, and said
the thirty millions is great bribery and cor
ruption fund, the purchase of CuUa q mere
claptrap and n vain attempt to save the demo-
cratic party from that humiliation the AL
mighty destined for it. He spoke elabOrately
on the expense the purchase Of Cuba would
entail as mortgage paying interest and detailed
his personal experiences to prove that Cuba,
although good land, is not Us good as that in
the western States, and that the climate in the
interior is perpetual tropic. To purchase
Cuba is merely to pay two hundred dollars per
head for man, woman, child and niger, not to
own them but for leave to govern scum of
population that we would reject with scOrn if
offered to come in for nothing. The only use of
the Island to US would be to keep there fleet
and army costing one hundred millions annually.
The native Creolcs arc an Ignorant vicious set.
Gen. Iacon did establish military dcSpotisIn,
From the Captain General, the Judge on the
bench and the Priest in the pulpit down to the
lowest Cuban, bribery is nniversa no other but
the Catholic religion is tolerated. The Cubans
to a man are true TO the Catholic Church, and
the Catholic Church true to despOLiSin.
He believed that the Declaration of lndepend-
cnce quoted by Mr.. Benjamin was written in
some tavern in, New Orleans What was the
tate of gallant Capt. Crittcnden, when he went
in good faith to aid these so called painting Gu
bans? lie died like man, but declared with
his latest breath that lac had been deceived in
his belief that the Cubnns thirsted for liberty.
Mr.. Chandler then went largely into tho
bred Scott decision, saying that that decision
and the 80 million corruption fund are the
only plans in the Democratic platform OF 1860,
and under which it will march to certain defeat.
Mr.. Polk spoke in favor of Cuba
The Consular aud Diplomatic bill was again
taken up.
Mr.. Pugh offered another amendment to con-
solidate smaller missions. Without vote the
Senate add.
HousE.-Mr. Davis, of Miss, defended the
Democratic party from Mr.. Garnett's charges OF
extravaganza, and asked why the last year OF
Fillmore's whig ADMINISTRATION was selected for
a comparison with the expenditures of Mr.. Blu
chanan's first year, and coming from Demo-
crat he was unable to determines; this was not
fair test he accounted for the increase by the
extension oil tue mali iacltLleS TO the faclncI lhe
Utah troubles, the expenses attending Kansas
and Nebraska and suppression OF Indian hos
tilines and other objects of expenditures re-
qured by the progress and consequent necessi-
lies of the country; for these increase expenses
the President and heads Of departments are not
to blame; if there is any complaint it should
fall on Congress- of whatever party it may be
composed.
Mr.. Phelps, of Mo-, showed that millions of
dollars had been expended under the direction
of army officers, for objects which had no con-
ncction with the army. While pointing out
the manner in which this branch of service had
been increased, lie stated that the four new regi-
ments had cost $2,7ss,o coo, which, together
with the increased pay of the army aud
rates, made nearly s4,0Oo,OoO annually. lie
would be happy to aid in reducing tue appro-
priations if it could be done.
Without further debate aud without dsposing
of the amendment, the House add.