The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-23

The News,

The News.
The Presidents Message will, in all probability
be sent in to Congress to-day.
In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Gwin introduced the
Pacific Railroad bill. 1t is the same as the one
acted on last session. Bills were introduced provid.
ing for the payment of the expenses of the Indian
wars in Iowa, Oregon and Washington, and also for
the payment of certain Texns volunteers. resolu-
ton was adopted, to the effect that when the Sc
nate adjourn to-day, it stand adjourned from time
to time till the Sd day of January. This course
was regarded by some Senators as an evasion of
law, but precedents were found for it in the ac-
ton of the Senate on the occasion of the meeting
of the Cincinnati and Philadelphia Presidential
Conventions.
In the House the discussion between the demo
cratic and Southern opposition members respecting
the Speakership was resumed, and two ballottiugs
for Speaker were had without efecting change.
A proposition from the democratic side to adjourn
for the holidays elected stirring speech from
Mr. Grow, of Pennsylvania, who urged an early
organization of the House in order that the suffer.
ing mail contractors may obtain their pay. He
said the contractors threaten soon to discontinue
their services unless their claims were satisfied.
The Republican National Committee continued
their session yesterday at nine o'clock A. NJ After
being organized, member spoke in favor of a call
in terms inviting men to the National Convention
from all parts of the country. A strong opposition
was made to this proposition, as many members
were in favor of a strict party call. One delegate
while speaking on the question of the CALL said the
great fault in the course of the repubfDan party
was the unnecessary agitation of the slavery cues
ton. By SO doing Juror had been created that
would not have followed q more conciliatory
course. During the proceedings colored man,
named Putnam, an agent of the American Coloni-
cation Society, applied for admission to see Mr.
Csssius NJ. Clay, of Kentucky, but that gentleman
not being present Putnam went away disappointed.
At one o'clock the committee ended their discus
sion as to q call, and adopted one; but some diff.
Guilty was experienced in getting an endorsement
for it. It was, however, finally accomplished. It
is printed in another column. The matter of the
apportionment Of delegates was then taken up and
discussed for some time, but the majority came to
the conclusion not to alter the present plan. The
committee then adjourned sine die
The question of the right of government con-
tractors and others to appeal from the decisions of
the heads of departments to the President has
recently arisen, under the following circum;
stances :-Messrs Sweeny, Rittenhouse, FAINT &
Co., bankers, addressed a letter to the Presi-
dent, containing formal appeal from the decision
of the Secretary of the Treasury against them on
two points, First, his refusal to permit them to
deposit at San Francisco any portion of the GO
yernment loan taken by them under the proposals
by the Secretary, of the 18th December, 1858; and
second his refusal to refer the question to the At
torney General. It is understood that bankers take
the position that the place of deposit was clearly
made material part of the contract, and that the
bidder, if successful explicitly authorized under
the proposals to select any government depository
nearest to his residence indicated as most conve
nent by him. Immediately after the award this firm
offered to deposit the amount with depository at
San Francisco. The Secretary declined to receive
1t there on the ground that he did not require funds
at that place, and that his proposals. did not au-
thorize them to deposit at San Francisco A
balance Of their loan, therefore, remains unpaid.
The correspondence shows that they have always
been ready to pay at San Francisco. The Presi-
dent has answered their letter by informing them
that an appeal does not lie to the President from
the decisions of the heads of the different executive
departments. Their acts and decisions are those
of the President for which he is held responsible
and that they are his, in fact in all cases of diff.
fculty and importance. The truth, he says, is that
such an appellate jurisdiction would render it i'm
possible for him to discharge his high duties to the
country and would resolve his office into tribunal
to hear and determine private claims in the last
resort. He refers these bankers to the Court Of
Claims OF to Congress, They have selected the
latter.
The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher delivered lecture
last evening a, the Cooper Institute before the
Gillette Young Mems Association. His theme was.
!" How to save the Union," and he promulgated
very strong Union sentiments, but differed materi-
ally in the way in which some persons would work
ont the problem Of saving the Union. The hall was
very well filed, and the proceedings passed off in
perfect harmony.
The anniversary Of the landing of the Pilgrim
Fathers upon Plymouth Rock, and the afty.fourth
anniversary of the New England Society, were
celebrated by said society last evening" at the AS
tor House, with the usual festivities We give re.
port elsewhere, from which it will be seen that
Senator Doelittle, Of Wisconsin, and DR.. Bellows,
of this city, alluded to the "irrepressible conflict
raging in the political world. The Doctor animal.
verted upon the proceedings Of the Union meeting
at the Academy of Music in style which will