The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-04
Affairs at Washington.

~; WASHINGTON, Monday, Feb. 81
Sit is quite certain now that the Committee of
Ways and Means will not agree upon any Tar.
iH project. In consenuence of the final failure
of every effort to this end. Mr. Phillips. of Pa.
this morning asked leave in pursuance Of a
notice given last Monday, to introduce bill
on his own hook. combining provision for a
loan for the amount of twenty-one millions to
be applied to the redemption of outstanding
Treasury notes, and also Tariff, increasing the
rates of duties, and substituting in many cases
specific for ad raiorem duties.
This bill is regarded as the Presidents meas
DIRE, at least far as the Tariff project ia con-
eerned. If this fail, as it is likely to do, an
extra session will be the consequence, as many
now confidently assert. But dozen cxtru ses
read but to very inattentive audience Mr.
Houston wanted to stop The reading, saving
that he had heard enough Of it to satisfy that
It was the worst bill ever offered in this BODY
The falling off in the revenue during the
past week has somewhat diminished whateyer
confidence was felt in the House in the estimate
Of the Treasury Department Of the product of
tho present Tariff. 1t is commonly said that
there is q growing disposition in the House to
pnss some bill increasing the rates of duties,
20 as to help the revenue. and the most feasible
Plan seems still to be'to fall back on the Tar.
id of 1886. preserving the free list of 1857.
But there seems to be little prospect that
anything will be done at the present session.
The Army appropriation bill passed the
HOUSE to day; after undergoing a reduction
from the estimates of only about one million,
instead Of three millions, which was the amount
Saturday.
"a like comparatively moderate reduction
will be made upon the Navy estimates
The Select Committee appointed to investi-
gate the subject of alleged frauds in connection
with Navy yard contracts. &C., are now ready
nRf and sill - r
Understood that they have discovered some ir.
fegularities in connection with the management
6f these matters, but none of the gross frauds
that have been alleged.
Major Ben McCulloch has returned from Ari.
1ona and Sonora and reports that the frontier
bmreaSened with hostilities and requires mill.
.tary defence. ~
HoRsE THIEvEs.-Two horse thieves were
lodged in the jail Of this district on Saturda,
named Jones. andyeitizensof Virginia, conuec-
ted with the F. F. VS. ofthat ancient common
wealth. Travelling South, they got out o
funds. In Columbia, they stole horse and
mule to enable them to make headwayiin the
tour Reaching Edgefeld District their null
took sick and they had to leave him on tn
sead-side. Proceedingsa few miles. they arriv
"a at Mr.. VIM. Toney'i: it was night and no
body was up on the premises. Not wishing't I,
disturb tho milyunnecessary, they enteret
fhe horse lot and took mule to supply tn
flSs8f the one Just left behind. A filiy fol-
fowSd them out Of the lot and went on in com
pany. tne of the gentlemen then conclude,
10 ~ aud look once moro after the sick mule
found him 50 far convslescent as to he able T.
pSgssed on the journey; aud took him alon
'solEcf pity. SO they all went on Il cir way
Iis6ieing and whickering "over into the Stat
SdfGsorgy whether beyond the /" big Kioky
or not;is unknown 70 US at this writing: -
But the next morning early. after the u
,thsft Mr. Toney awoke aud missed his mule
Heck the tracks and followed in pursuit, ac
iS6pEsAisd by Mr.. "Lsrkin Swearingen. In
ppsS of dsyh theis, ,Shsse.resulted in eaptar
iHg: the entire travelling party, men, mule
HSSss and FLY. All arrived sasls back I
ssAispoint 81 Saturday. Hoy nadsh of M
thsfA nay be in the stster ernsEts1f the tp5SSes.
"a aof feo1feS iIbposibls to ssy.SeWe give II, /
. a. Aepa.t that ikrfls5sad,- TO further disoove
arodn6s 6sss. storysbssshrsn Of th
- s.~shosifs ,of 1ep know sust