Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-02-22
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
wAsHNGroN CRY, Feb. II, 1860.

The Postofhce Deficiency bill, minus the amend
ment to abolish the franking privilege, has passed
both Houses and been approved by the President. |
The refusal of the House to concur in the Senates
amendment created no surprise here, although furn-
shlng glarng proof of the inconsistency black
publican preaching compared with their practice.
lhls party, claiming to be the reformer OF abuses,
the extcrmnator of corrupt practices and the econ
omizer of the public funds begins its work by re-
fusing to abolish privilege whose direct and indi-
rect expense to the government cannot he less than
S4,OO0,O00 per annum. This is a reasonable est- |
mate of the cost in hard coin, and yet when these
republicans are called upon to cut off this large and
annually increasing expenditure there can be found
but sic out ct hundaed and thirteen who de-
clare in favor off pretty commentary upon pro-
LESSONS of economy 1t is time that the people take
this matter in hand and demand of their represen-
tatlVes the abolishng of privilege so fraught with
evil and corrupton-so detrimental to the peace and
morals OF our country. If no such privilege exist
ed-if the English practice of requiring every gov
ernment official from the Queen down to pay their
own postage, were adopted with us its salutary ef
feet would appear in the extraordinary diminntion
OF the number of buncOmbe speeches. IN the fewness
OF motions "to print" reports of SURVEYS cxplora-
tons and other matter, which members now
without cost transmit to their constituents who re-
celve them, feel compmented by tae attention. and
quietly lay Them aside without ever glancing be-
tween their lids cut off this privilege of ranking,
and the "publicprinting-plunder" would cease to
oe tcihpldtlOn 10 InleNlnS SPECTATORS. ltere Is
not the slightest probability however that members
of the House will regard favorably any move look
ing to the deprivation of privilege which furnishes
gratis the ampest facilities for eectoneering pur
poses.
bill has been reported to the Senate for estab-
fishing Bureau of Public Printing to be under the
control OF the Secretary of the Interior 1t provides
for the appointment of Commissioner at salary
OF $4,000 per annum, foreman of printing and
one OF binding at salary Of 81 300 each; a chief
Clerk at - 900 and two subordinate Clerks at 81 800
each. The prices to be paid for work TO be the
same paid in private establishments in this city, and
the Commissioner and his subornateS are to have
no interest direct indirect IN the publication of
any newspaper, periodical or other printing. \ vi
olation OF this provision subjects the offender to i'm
priSonment in the penitentiary. The abuses which
have grown out of the present system Of govern
ment printing imperativey demand some action like
this now proposed. have no doubt of its passage
by the Senate, bat when it reaches the House "the
tug of war" will commence There arc generally
so many persons in that overgrown aSsemblage
either directly indirectly concerned in the profits
accrung from the printing, engraving and binding
that the chances Of its passing few indeed, par
ticularly so when We remember that these republ-
cans will in all likelihood elect their nominee for
printer through certain secret combinations and are
not disposed to lcgiSate in any way which may de-
prive them of the plumber, either now or in the
future
The McLane-O campo treaty has appeared in sew
cral OF the papers its provisions extremely lib
cra towards this government and there seems to be
little doubt entertained Ct its ratification by the
Senate. Yet, for various reasons, | am induced to
believe that action upon it will not at once be had
The committee appointed by the democratic SEN
ators at their recent conference to report upon the
subject of protecting slave property in the terrific
res, with view Of harmoni=ing the conflicting
views OF the democrats of that body, consists of
MeSsrs. Green Of No.; Gwn, of Cal. Fitch, of
Ind. Biger, of Pa. and Chestnut of S. c. 4
very commendable spirit appears to be manifested
to settle this veXatouS subject upon fair basis,
without extreme violence to the opinions of any.
\ treaty between the United States and Paraguay
was ratified by the Senate on yesterday.
The House is proceeding quite rapidly in dis
patching business, notwithstanding the incompetent
cy of the Speaker and the Legislative ineXperienCe
| of large number of its members. Yesterday,
nearly three hundred bills and resolutions were Of
! fered and referred to appropriate committees. Nc
Clcrnand of Illinois, offered resolution declaring
| it the sense of Congress that the United States
should acquire Cuba and Miles Taylor, of Louisiana
bill providing for its acquisition by negotiation
bill has also been introduced 10 regulate the COM
! penSation of members and repeal the law allowing
mileage This bill was introduced by Bingham, of
Ohio, (Rep) and is merely intended for effect in the
! approaching Presidential campaign. The commit
| tee appointed TO inquire into and report upon the
! plan by which the printing and binding is now
cutcd with instructions to suggest reforms in the
! same, consists of Grow QuarleS, Smith of Virginia.
| Walton Florence, Hoard and Gurlcy.
The Clerk of the House has completed his re-
movalS and his appOntecs are diScharging their
j duties. Out OF thirty-SX clerks appointed, thirty
arc from the free States, four from the District of
! Columbia and two from the South-thc latter Know
| NothingS. Mr. c. e. Chaflce, Rep) of MasSachu-
| chuSctts. member Ct the last Congress, has ac-
ccpted clcrkship Isl, 500 under Forney; the pay
is rather small to gentleman of means, but as Mr.
c. is supposed to be interested in several patents
and this position affords him at all times ready ac-
! cess to members and facilities denied to outside
lobbycrs it is not surprising he should have sought
! so humble post
| 1t had almost escaped my memory that Mr.. Gil
NOR has given notice of bill Ito do equal justice
to all the States" have not learned the nature of
this BILL but If this gentleman holds the scales in
/ his hand, the Lord deliver the South from the JUS
ticc he proposes to dispense. When he has learned
to he true and Just to his people, his question
able claims safe counsellor and impartial judge
! will be entitled to some consideration. On the ODD
! Of this month the inauguration of the equestrian
statue of Gen. Washington takes place W. Gil
more SimmS of South Carolina, had been selected
the orator, but Illness preventing his acceptance
the Hon. Il. S. Bocock, of Virginia, supplies his
| place. Several military companies from abroad
Firemen Odd-Fellows and Masonic Fraternites will
form part of the imposing pageant and take part
In the proceedings.
! On the 18th instant Capt Sawyer of the Navy
die at his lodgings in this city. lie the re-
served list of Captains having been retired by the
| late Naval Board. He was some sixty years of age
and had been in the service since 1872 and at the time
of the action between the Cyane and Levant was
midShipman under Commodore Stewart of the Con-
stituton. On the evening following, b. Rush
Floyd, Esq, brother of Secretary. Floyd, died sud-
denly of disease of the heart He was preparing to
start to Richmond to attend the Democratic Con-
| Nyhi la nc trun 1pd hv
severe pain in the side which caused death in
| some fifteen minutes
There is much rejoicing here over the nomination
! of Thos. II. Seymour the Democratic candidate
for gubernatorial honors in the State of Connecti
cut, and those from that State now here are strong
| =. Al. Il l.,