The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-11
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.


ry Question.
Almost Fight Between Mr.. Edmundson, Of Va,
and Mr.. Hickman, Of Penn,
&C., &C., &c.
Our Special Warrington Despatch.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1850.
OFFICE APPROPRIATION BILL.
The Post ONCE bill was referred 70 the Committee Of
Ways md Means to-day, and 1t will taken up their
meeting To- morrow morning. and the amendment abolish
ing the Thanking privilege stricken The House win
undoubtedly concur with the committee The Senate WILL
1t is said recede, and allow the bill pass. they insist
the bill will certainly be lost.
senator Browns amendment, reducing the OK.
pense Of printing the Post Office blanks, will I'm.
doubleday pass the House. The proposition passed
beth houses last Congress, but lost with the Post
Office bill.
ALMOST FIGHT BkrwEHN MEssRs EDMUNDsoN HICKMAN.
has been apprehended for some days thai the libel
lous anmsdversons Virginia and the South, and the
groes personalities INDUCED In by republican parsans.
would produce personal collisions. Such apprehensous
here partially realized 10 day, when Mr.. Edmund
son, Of Virginia, overtaing Mr. Hickman of Pennsylva-
MIA the Capitol grounds, sharply upbr aided him for
calumnes contained In his (Hckman's) speech and sa
tempted such personal chastsement that had II not
been for Vice President Brecknrdge and Senator Cling
Of North Caroins and Mr. Keitt Of South Carolina
who happened TO be passing supposed that Mr. Hok
man would have suffered serious bodily harm. These
gentlemen restrained Mr. Edmundson and thus the mat
ter ended Whether this the end the beginning of
the end, remains to be seen.
HOUSE DOING IT'S WORK.
The supposon that the House would take q recess Of
days after organization is abandoned The House
refused to-day to adjourn to Monday which,
the opinion, would have been but of justice
the committees.
The attempt day to authorize committees to appoint
clerks laid till tomorrow, which is another
noyance the progress of business, as only two com
mittees-the Ways and Means and Cams-are authorized
by general law to have clerks the year round The other
committees cannot employ clerks without special order
Of the Hodse.
THE SENATE PRINTING INVESTIGATION.
The Senate Printing Investigating Committee met again
this morning, and examined Collector Baker and Mr. Me-
gargee, Of Philadelphia Their testimony was unimpor-
tant and facts elected. None OF the wit
thus far examined except Wendell and Rice of the
Pennssguandn, to know anything about the corrup
tons charged, and the committee find very difficult To
get at the facts in regard 70 the matter
An agent Of the Illinois Dougasites here with sixty
thousand dollars, said to have been raised mostly ILL.,
nos to be expended in securing the nomination Of Judge
Douglas at Charleston The agent viii proceed Charles
ton in few days to make his arrangements Report says
that two million copies Of Douglas Senate speech
being circulated One hundred thousand copies win
be printed In superior STYLE large central committee
actively employed in this city in preparing the way
for securing the nomination Of Douglas.
TuE HARpKR's INVESTIGATION
The Harper's Ferry Investigating Committee con-
tinues its sessions from day to day, and are ex.
aiming witnesses. They making but little
progress. No Developments have been made
The committee are considering the propriety OF
subpnnaing Governor Wise, with the view Of getting
facts In his possession in regard to the matter and also
The documents evidence In his possession going TO
show that various schemes started the rescue Of
John Brown. II the committee determine to bring the
Governor before them the evidence viii undoubtedly take
wide range, and there Ia no telling when and where
will end.
The committee have not yet decided to subpoena Gerrt
Smith They informed that his mind is not entirely
restored, but be is gradually recovering
Governor Robinson, Of Kansas, testified day before
the commitsee the effect that Brown did not 70 70
to SETTLE but account Of the difficulties which
be expected would extend until the country generally
should become involved and slavery DO abolished. His
object peace but revolution and differed in this
respect from the free State generally. The only
other person who avowed 10 the witness . similar
object was James Redpath After he had lost
all hope Of accomplishing his object he related 70 the Wit
ness the designs Of himself and others who
operating with him lie said but few in their secret
although many operating with them. The reason OF
his opposition to taking possession Of the Territorial and
Acompton State government the ballot box was BE-
he in such policy end TO the distur Sanccs
and consequently TO his hopes Of revolution. Hence
he and those with him, who were chiefly reporters
Of the press, made upon all who likely to aid in
securing quiet in order to destroy their influence with tho
people Ho said they acted the principle that The end
justified the means, and they hestascd sehood
ibcl against any who stood their way provided
promised 70 further their object Th he said accounted
for the SANDERS Of tho reporters, who were IN tho
ocheme, against those who oppoaed them Witness
knew Of attempt 10 ct foot revolution. Thb
wss led by Colonel Lane, who, Mr. Redpslh aid, was
usder strsug pledge 10 scs their leader lighting.
Soon amer the creation Of The Military Board witness
heard General Lane say hsa hs had gvsa orders NE
Brgadscr Generals % strike u several points In ~ Terri
tory, vseh visw - be understood, 70 s6eos general
sanshAsr at pro-slavery men. Hs orders were never
obeyed sven, and he afeer went Into Southern
Kansas win the purpose Mr. Lsonhart ono Of his on
cars Afterwards told witness, 10 march upon Fost sco
soe United eHaAss troops in hat vicinity ~ ths
time, and Mr.. l. said INT Geo. Lana showed The white
feather and backed avn. wAass supposed, until The
ooavszsaasu with RsdpaAh, thaa In inss.s
msat q LAaes alone, bss 10 new undsssaasds thas
vss . eoaesrssd plan at he rsvolutionisas This
ws shs md Il thss elaD 1t operations. - fAx -
80 - eauinnA n Now Yak Aip@p wa sssd