Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-01-19

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CORRESPONDENCE OF THE STANDARD.
Z. |.-t.'o. s4a5 g sz' WAsnlseros, Jan Is, 1859
The bill for ascertaning and satisfying the claims
Of American citizens for spolations committed by
the French prior to the 31st July, 100, has been
passed by the Senate by majority Of six votes,
Mr.. Cingman voting for It and Mr. Reid against it.
The bill provides that payment shall be made to an
amount not exceeding five millions Of dollars, to
such citizens Of the United States their legal rep
resentatives as have valid claims to indemnity upon
captures forcible seizures, con6scations &C., &C.,
committed previous to ths ratification Of the con-
vention between the United States and French gov
eminent, concluded on the 30th day of September,
1900 The bill also provides for the appointment of
three commissioners to decide upon the claims pres
ented and if the aggregate amount Of them exceeds
the five millions appropriated then they are to be
paid pro rata. This bill has been before Congress
forty years and more, and has at various periods
been passed by one or other House, and has twice
been passed by both Houses first in 1916 and again
in 185Fbut was vetoed each time by the President.
will add that the bill does not propose to make
any present draft upon the Treasury, but provides
for the issue Of stock bearing five per cent interest
and redeemable at the pleasure of the Treasury De-
partment The prospect for its passage in the House
is rather Aattering to its friends and as the Presi
dent favored the liquidation Of these claims when
in Congress, they confidently look for its final dis
position.
The President mag, however, fail to sanction it on
the score Of our poverty at the present time
should be pleased however, to see it killed and bu
ried past resurrection on other grounds even though
the insatiate lobby would make sthe welkin ring"
with their dismal groans. What time there will
be if this measure Is defeated! The hungry human
vultures once deprived of their expected feast how
operative wrath upon those who snatch this dainty
morse from their greedy clutch how pitously they
will howl about the waiting appeals Of poor women
and the subdued whimperings Of hungering babes,
and the ungratefulness of Republics, while at the
same time these vampires are gorged with claims
purchased for song from these sostylcd dying
women and infant starvelings. The lobby is great
institution and requires great rascal to be sue
cessful member of it. ....
The Pacific Railroad bill makes but slow progress
in the Senate the discussions Of late referring to
every subject but the constitutionality and expedi
diency of this proposed work by the government.
If there necessity for this road and it will prove
so enormously renumerative its jealous advocates
aver then should think that individual enterprise
would eagerly avail itself of such promising op-
portunity to reap such large pecuniary returns. Z
Senator Gwin is making herculean efforts to CON-
pass its passage at this session. but have little idea
that he will succeed
In the House they are busiy engaged with the
appropriation bills and their frequent calls upon the
Departments for information, necessary to enable
them understandingly to reduce the amounts esti-
mated for keeps the clerical force in the public Of
fees constantly engaged The Democratic side Of
the House are determined to reduce the government
expenditures to the lowest possible figure and to ef
feet that with the least detrment to the public ser
vice. they critically enquring into all the details
of every item for which an appropriation is asked.
| In the early part of this week Mr. Washburne, Of
Maine, deeply dyed Black Republican, delivered a
speech which has peculiar significance. It was in
fact the announcement of the Republican programme
In speaking of the organization of his party and
its success, he declared that IF to-day the Republi
can party was not in the ascendency in every free
State this side Of the Rocky Mountains, it was be-
cause its friends had been unvlzing to stand upon
the strength Of their own principles and soithin til.
organization Of their opn party, but had sought
alliances and coalitions with men and bodies of men
whose purposes were not coincident with theil
own" This is an mkind cut mercilessly admins
tered to his weak brethren for plotting with Crit
tenden Conrad Stuart and other petritied politica
curiosties to organize "a peoples party" Tha
scheme it will be recollected failed the conspirators
could not harmonic or adopt any satisfactory plar
for coalition, and the Republicans at once assumed
an independent position, freeing itself from all en-
tangling alliances" by unceremoniously kicking of
Crittenden and his sickly squad, who rejected BY
every organization resolved ito set up on their OWL
account" and bounced upon poor, unofending "heat
him or die" Bolts, resolved to make a martyr o
some one, and preferring that that one should b,
the man who slept with John Tyler. He farther
goes on to say that Il the distinctive position of hi
party is yelled up that they will 60 into minority
in 1860. In speaking Of the Democratic party h,
calls upon his black spirits to note its policy ant
learn wisdom; and as there is some wholesome
truth contained in this passage will quote it. Eli
says 'the Democratic party has not held possession
of this government with short Interruptions fo
more than quarter Of century because it has al
ways been right but because it has been IN earnes
and has dared to trust ITSELF 1t has never pait
court to its opponents stopped to speculate upo1
their weakness; always bold and uncompromisinl
it has never doubted its own suficiency and inven
cbility, and so it has ever been mighty power i,
the land" There is much truth in this extract ant
it would be well if our fshy Democratic brethren
would seriously think it over.
The bill for the admission Of Oregon as sover
eign State will soon be reached and from what car
learn, think it will pass the House without yer!
serious opposition. l also learn that the committee
on Territories have determined to report bill TO
organizing territorial government in Arizona
This measure is likely to encounter very bite
opposition, and its success is extremely doubtful.
Beverly Tucker Esq, our Consul to Liverpool il
in this city at present, but will in few weeks re
turn to his post His friends are endeavoring t.
procure an appropriation for his clerks, whose pa.
now comes out Of his Tucker's) salary. He re
ceives $500 and has to pay from this s. 500 to hi
assistants leaving quite scanty allowance for on
filling this prominent position in such city as Lv
erpool. .. - -, i So.
Gov Reid continues ii excellent health and is il
daily attendance at his committee room until tn
I opening of the Senate As his Senatorial term vii
soon expire, deem it appropriate to make mention
of this faithful Democrat and prudent Legislator
From the time of his political debut to the presen
hour-as State Legislator national representative
US Governor and as q. S. Senator, he has proven