New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-30
THE LATEST NEWS,
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From Washington.
Special Dispatch to The n. Y. Tribune.

npittee to-day, owing to the absence Of several
members. But the Chairman was engaged in ar
ranging the order of examination which will be
observed tomorrow, with the witnesses who are
now here. The developments become more i'm
portrait and serious the investigation pro-
crosses.
THE CLAIMS AGAINST PARAGUAY.
The President was at first Inclined to accept
proposition for compromising the American claims
against Paraguay offered on behalf Of Lopez, but
finally concluded TO submit them to the commits
sion. II is well understood that the appointment
of Commissioner under the treaty, was promised
TO Charles Winder, of this city, at the time it was
rendered to John Van Buren,, who declined it, and
before being offered to Henry N. Phillips.
MIR. MoRRILL'S TARIFF BILL.
The Finance Committee of the Senate held
meeting this morning, and proposition to take up
Mr.. Morrirs Tariff bill was peremptoriy declined
By the Democratic majority. Mr.. Pearce declared
against the bill, whose aid was expected. STILL
fhe friends of that measure are determined to press
ii on every occasion, and will find some oppOrtu-
nifty of bringing the Senate TO a square test. Mr..
Hunter proposes no compromise tariff, as has been
reported. He agrees with Mr.. Cobb entirely that
no change is needed, aud that the present law viii
furnish abundant revenue for the support of Gov
eminent although the experience of the last three
years proves its utter inadequacy in this respect
His efforts will be directed for postponement and
pon-actOn.
ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES
The Judiciary Committee OF the Senate have
sgreed upon bill to compel the attendance of wit
nesses who may be summoned by the Committee of
either House, and provide ministerial means for
carrying it into effect. Until process of the
Senate was recently resisted, the existing legal
thority was always regarded as sufficient, and had
never before been seriously disputed. No one will
hardl, question the policy or propriety of such an
enactment.
THE HARPER's FERRY INVESTIGATION.
Just now the Harper's Ferry Committee are at
q stand still. No witnesses have been called for
several weeks, and the investigation may be
sarded as substantially closed What course the
majority of the Committee mean to adopt, has yet
TO be Indicated. They have not expressed any
purpose 10 submit report though some such
document may be expected, if only for forms
sake. II is now admitted that eyidedce has
been produced in any way. sustaining the original
charge that the John Brown affair was the result
Of combination or conspiracy among the North
ern people, instgated by hostility against the
South All the proof confines it to the deuded
men who paid the penalty Of that rash and indie
fensibe enterprise, and few foreign sympa-
bizers, who have already fled to escape the con-
sequences.
THE HOMESTEAD ELL.
The Senate by majority disagreed to the Home
stead bill of the House, which was returned as
fubstitute for its own. 1t will be sent back to-
morrow, and the House viii insist on the amend
sent, having little or no appreciation of the miser
able scheme proposed by the Senate They may
Or NAV not ask a Committee of Conference, but
DO beneficial result is now anticipated if that
experiment should be tried.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
After long day of discussion on the Pacific
Railroad bill, Winter Davis, who was OH the Com
mittee which reported it, made an effective speech
urging legal objections to the trustees which the
bill proposes for executing the grant, which caused
ii to be recommitted by thirteen majority. This
movement though it imperls.is not necessarily ia
tal TO the project. There are various modes by
which il NAV be reached, and the division was by
30 means test on the merits of the enterprise.
The Committee are called together tomorrow
morning, and viii within few days bring forward
a new bill, intended, as far as may be practicable,
10 meet the points of embarrassment which have
been raised. If Mr. Dayiss idea, however, OF
creating corporation shall be adopted, 1t is easy
70 foresee that the old Bank issue viii be revived
in another form in the Senate, by the Democratic
enemies Of any road. No great measure OF this
sort, with 80 many novel features, which are TO
some extent experimental, can be matrred without
being open 10 technical or other exceptions.
THE HoUMAs GRANT.
The Senate consumed the whole day IN discuss
ing the Houmas Grant, which Mr.. Benjamin de-
erded with lawyerly piausibty and ingenuity
addressing himself mainly to the title, but keeping
adr, lilly 10 the background the peculiar circum-
stances attending the passage Of the bill through
Congress, by which 500 families were TO be ousted
for the benefit of few spectators.
Mr.. slidell stood upon his royal dignity, and
sporned the idea Of bis admitted interest in the
grant affecting his Senatorial course.
Mr. Toombs, who made the report from the
Special Committee and who deserves great credit
for mis- manlness ia assuming the duty OF defend
iIg the settlers, replied with powerful effect 70 Mr.