The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-02-10
WASHINGTON ITEMS.

CAUCUsfNG.-The' p friends " of the ADM, s,
tration in Congress have recently held tLr..
caucuses with reference to the adjustment a
financial difficulties. We have already rur
lished an account of the Senate caucus III.
Democratic members Of the House assemble
in the House Hall on Monday night Of las
week, and almost unanimously condemned he
Presidents policy of Increasing the duties 90
imports. They adjourned over to last Sa,ulIa,
evening, and, as will he seen by the iolI5gnr
sketch Of their proceedings, they realirmeI he
doctrines Of free trade The Senate caucus, i
will be remembered, did the same thing Il.
Pennsylvania aud New jersey Democrat
members held a meeting in a committee room,
in which they endorsed the policy Of the Al
ministration, 1t Is evidently the hope ami yA.
pectation of the " Democracy" that while th,,
abandon the Administration, in view Of 'l.
coming Southern elections, the Republican,
will come to the rescue, and supply whate.a
funds may be needed to keep the wheels in nv
ton:
DEMOCRATIC CoNGREssIONAL CAUCUS-lss
Democratic caucus was in session Sa.uo4.
night until half past 10 o'clock 1t is said Oh.
not more than fifty members were present &
any one time About two-thrds of them wec-
Southern men. None of the Pennsylvania
egation were present.
John Cochrame was in the chair. and Mes
Rutfin and Cavanaugh acted as Secretarie.
Mr.. Garnett, from the committee apponi..
in pursuance Of "a resolution of the former cat
Gus, submitted the following resolution:
Resoired, That means ought 10 be provides
for the payment of the outstanding Treasury
notes, and that the deficiencies Of the Trcasur
should be met by reduced expenditures Of rl'
Government.
The resolution he supported at length, show
ing in what particulars the reductions can be
made.
Mr.. Vallandigham advocated retrenchmer'
and claimed that it was the duty Of the Demo
cratic party to effect reform
Mr.. Crawford stated his programme by which
there would be a surplus Of three millions o
dollars in the Treasury. 1t would, however b.
necessary to extend the operation Of the Irya~
ury note law for one or two years.
Mr.. Phelps, of Miss, would 60 as far as aL
one to reduce unnecessary expenditure. bat 81
gued that it was necessary to grant the co.
ernmcnt sufficient sum to dcfrav unay1ita5
expenses.
Mr.. Stephens thought it necessary TO ri',.
the tendency to expansion, and mentioned ua
letter of President Buchanan, complaint"
the increased expenditures Of the Govcmmel'
was one of the strongest electionccnng do-
ments.
Mr.. Smith, of Tenn, did not believe that ID.
expenses could be curtaied III the mall''
stated, but expressed his Willingness to reiF'..'
where it could be done without detrmyni '''
public service.
Mr.. Sickles believed that the estimate ''-
been reduced to the correct point b. the EN'l'
tive department, and did not agree with GEM
men in cutting them down in absence oil
knowledge of all the facts.
Mr.. Smith, Of Virginia, presented hi, ~
gramme--to reduce the pay of members Of va
dress, and Of the clerks in the various Del
ments, and in cutting off large slices from y;
army and navy appropriations, and from mo-
the Post Office, &c. Tie said he would u.
introduce his plan in the House. and maze ~
test question.
Mr.. George Taylor rose not 10 make pei
but to show at least 100000 might De saw
in printing and on the Congressional "g''
Several other gentlemen INDUCED III the II
bate. No question has been taken Oh ANY
the propositions. II
An adjournment without day took place .,,
was understood, however, that they would 10 ~,
another caucus, TO which all the Demo'''
members will be invited. IA
While the above-me ntioned caucus va 10
progress, all the Democratic members .. I'm
Pennsylvania delegation convened IN the I T5sr
of the Committee Of Ways and Means .ipJ
unanimously resolved \ /. That the crea.ioI n,
permanent national debt is at war VIII l.l
principles of republican simplicity, on Sn %
our Government is founded, and Dangerous