The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-02-03
WASHINGTON ITEMS.

Inc Associated Press furnishes the follow
ing account of the proceedings of the Demo
cratic Senators:
"Washington, Jam 29-The Democratic Sen
ators held caucus this morning on the subject
of the tariff.
"Mr. Hunter, of Virginia, offered resolution
declaring it inexpedient to change the law at
the present session.
"Mr. Bigler proposeds a substitute, as fol-
lows
" ResOIred That the revenue being INSULT
cient to meet the expenses Of the Government,
it is wise and expedient to increase the import
duties, TO meet the deficiency.
" Mr.. Biglers substitute was voted down.
" Mr.. Hunters resolution was adopted by a
large majority.
" Mr.. Shdell thereupon offered a resolution,
which was adopted that it is the duty of Con
gress to look rather to the reduction of expendi-
lures than to the increase of revenue.
"There was much excitement during these
proceedings, during which Mr.. Hunter expressed
the opinion that with the revival of business
there would be sufficient revenue for the pur-
poses of the Government.
pvrrAMhE rR49pglss ef f6blRAiSt tt tys dttra eie
its policy as to whether it would favor specific
or ad valorem duties.
MIR. Fitch, of Indiana, acquiesced in this
view, remarking that the Senatorial Democratic
caucus, while held for a conference, never sought
to bind men to vote for its measures
"The result of the caucus has caused much
excitement among the members Of Congress
and others.
"The President will probably send a message
to Congress, early next week, showing a def
cheney of twenty millions, and urging the neces-
sary arrangement to relieve the Government
from the prospective financial embarrassment,
reminding Congress that only four weeks are
remaining of the session
TIE BLACK-CAT MYsTERY-In the Senate,
yesterday, during the comments upon the sur
reptitiOns manner in which some of the pro-
ceedingS Of the Executive session had been
reported, a very grave Senator undertook to
throw some light upon the subject by very
curious incident which he related On Friday
last, while the Senate were in secret session, he
thought be saw something in the gallery, and
sent messenger up to examine what it was.
He came back and reported that there was a
trap-door in the northeast corner, over the lob
by, whose existence he was previously ignorant
Of; and upon further examination it was found
that this trapdoor led into a little dark room
which contained two black cats : He did not
believe that it was these cats who had divulged
the proceedings on that occasion; but there
might be other places where eaves-droppers
could conceal themselves, and he thought the
Senate should investigate the matter. Perhaps
the workmen who built this hall might have
been bribed by some one to make hooks and
corners in which men might secrete themselves
but at any rate it was certain that in the north
east corner of the gallery there was cathode
Immediately on the adjournment of the SEN
ate, the mystery of the cathode was explain
ed. 1t appears that in each corner of the gal
lery there are trap-doors, made for the purpose
of allowing the workmen to go down under the
tresse work of the galleries, to make any altera-
tons or repairs. The two cats which were
found in one of these places had got in there in
some manner, and probably could not get out
again. They have therefore remained, subsist
ing on the crumbs that have fallen from the
public table. This is an authentic solution of
the "black-cat mystery. "-States.
The Associated Press is responsible for
the following items
FROM WASHINGTON Washington, Jan. o.
The tariff bill of Mr.. Phelps, of Missouri, fully
meets the views of Secretary Cobb who belives
that it will yield more revenue and be less pro-
tective than the tariff of 1857.
Statements have been made by certain par
ties, on which newspaper paragraphs have been
predicated, that no increased duties are neces.
sary but it is ascertained that Secretary Cobb
believes otherwise, and so does the President
1t is estimated that rates in Mr. Phelpss bill
would have increased the revenue at the mast
years importations about $6,5O0,00O.
The reply of the Secretary of the Treasury to
an inquiry made of him by the House will
doubtless be, that the receipts from the customs
and sales of public lands during the next
fiscal year will not be sufficient to meet the ex
penses of the Government
1t appears, from recently-received official dis
patches, that the coolie trade to Havana is con
Quoted principally at Macao, and escapes the
jurisdiction Of that colony.
The emigration of respectable Chinese TO the
gold fields of California and Australia appears
TO be about 10000 per annum. Many of them
return again, and American vessels receive
good share of the passage money. But this
trade, so far as California is concerned, will
hereafter be cut off, for, by law, the master OF
vessel is subject to fine of $500 for every
Chinese brought by him into that State.
The bills introduced by Mr.. Stephens, of Ga,
to-day, proposing the establishment OF Terri,
torial Governments for Dacotah, jefferson, and
Arizona, were his own notice, and not reports
from the Committee on Territories, though they
are the same identically with those agreed to in
committee, excepting the name OF the Plattere-
pion country, which is called by him Jeffer-
son. !" instead of the one adopted by the com.
mittee, to wit: Tohosa." The object of Mr..
Stephens, in giving individual notice and in
PRODUCING them in this way, was to have them