Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-02-22
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON C1rY, Feb. II, 1860.

The Postoffce Deficiency BILL minus the amend
ment to abolish the ranking privilege has passed
both Houses and been approved by the President
The refusal of the House to concur in the Senates
amendment ereatud no surprise here although furn-
ishing glazing proof the inconsistency of black re-
publican preaching compared with their practice.
This party, claiming to be the reformer OF abuses,
the exterminator of corrupt practices and the
omizer of the public funds, begins its work by re-
fusng to abolish privilege, whose direct and ndi-
rect expense to the government cannot be less than
$4,O00,00O per annum. This is a reasonable esti-
mate of the cost in hard coin, and vet when these
republicans are called upon to cut off this large and
annually increasing expenditure there can be found
but sir out Of one huntlaed and thirteen who de-
clare in favor of it. pretty commentary upon pro-
LESSONS of economy 1t is time that the people take
this matter in hand and demand of their represen
tatves the abolishing of privilege SO fraught with
evil and corruption-so detrimental to the peace and
morals of our country. If no such privilege exist
ed-if the English practice of requiring every gov
eminent official from the Queen down to pay their
own postage, were adopted with us its salutary cf
iect would appear in the extraordinary diminution
OF the number of buncombc speeches. in the fewness
OF motions Ito print" reports of surveys, explora
tons and other matter, which members can now
without cost transmit to their constituents who re-
celvc them feel compmented by the attention, and
quietly lay them aside without ever glancing be-
tween their lids; cut off this privilege of ranking,
and the ''publicprinting-p plumber" would cease to
be temptation to theving spectators. There 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 eectoneerng 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 a salary
OF $1,000 per annum, a foreman of printing and
one of binding at salary of 81 800 each; a chief
Clerk at 50 and two subordinate Clerks at 81 800
each. The prices to be paid for work are to be the
paid in private establishments in this city, and
the Commissioner and his suborinates are to have
no interest," direct indirect, in the publication of
any newspaper, periodical or other printing. vi
oatlon of this provision subjects the offender to i'm
prisonmcnt in the penitentiary. The abuses which
have grown out Of the present system of govern
ment printing imperatvely demand some action like
this now proposed. have no doubt of its passage
by the Senate, but when it reaches the House "the
tug OF wal" will commence. There arc generally
so many persons in that overgrown assemblage,
either directly or indirectly concerned in the profits
accrulng from the printing, engraving and binding,
that the chances of its passing few indeed par
tcularly so when we remember that these republic
cans will in all likelihood elect their nominee for
printer through certain secret combinations, and are
prive them of the plumber, either now or in the
| future.
The McLaneOcampo treaty has appeared in sew
eral of the papers its provisions extremely lib
cral towards this government, and there to be
| little doubt entertained cf its ratification by the
| Senate. Yet for various reasons, am induced to
believe that action upon it will not at be had
| The committee appointed by the democratic Sen
aors at their recent conference to report upon the
subject of protecting slave property in the terrific
ries, with view of harmoni=ing the conflicting
views of the democrats of that body, consists OF
Messrs Green, of No.. Gwin, of Cal. Fitch, of
Ind. Bgler, of Pa. and Chestnut of S. c. A
very commendable spirit appears to be manifested
to settle this yeXatous subject upon fair basis
| without extreme violence to the opinions of any.
a treaty between the United States and Paraguay
was ratified by the Senate yesterday.
The House is proceeding quite rapidly in dis
patching business, notwithstanding the incompcten.
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.
Cernand, of Illinois, offered resolution declaring
it the sense of Congress that the United States
should acquire Cuba, and Miles Taylor, of Louisiana
a bill providing for its acquisition by negotiation
A bill has also been introduced TO regulate the com.
pensation Of members and repeal the law allowing
mileage. This bill was introduced by Bingham, Of
Ohio, Rcp) 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 exc
cuted, with instructions to suggest reforms in the
same consists of Grow, QuarleS, Smith Of Virginia
Walton, Florence, Hoard and Gurley.
The Clerk of the House has completed his re-
novals and his appontees now discharging their
duties. Out OF thrty.six clerks appointed, thirty
are from the free States, four from the District o.
nj A.
Nothings. Mr.. c. c. Chaffee, (Rep) of Massachu
chusetts, member CT the last Congress, has ac
cepted clerkship 1900 under Forney the pay
is rather small to gentleman of means, but as Mr.
G. is supposed to be interested in several patents
and this position affords him at all times ready &C
cess to members and facilities denied to OUTSIDE
lobbyers, 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 "to do equal justice
to all the States" have not learned the nature o
this BILL but If this gentleman holds the scales ir
his hand, the Lord deliver the South from the jus
tice he proposes to dispense. When he has learned
to be true and just to his people, his question
able claims as safe counsellor and impartial judge
will be entitled to some consideration. On the 22t
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. I. S. Bocock, of Virginia, supplies his
place. Several military companies from abroad
Firernen, Odd-Fellows and Masonic Fraternites viii
= form part Of the imposing pageant and take par
in the proceedings.
~ On the 10Th instant Capt Sawyer of the Navy
del at his lodgings in this city. He on the re
served list Of Captains having been retired by the
b late Naval Board He was some Sixty of age
and had been in the service since 1872 and at the tn
of the action between the Cyane and Levant was
mdshpman under Commodore Stewart of the Con
stitution. On the evening following B. Rusf
Floyd, ESQ.,, brother Of Secretary Floyd, died sud
denly of disease of the heart He was preparing t.
start to Richmond to attend the Democratic Con
vention and while packing his trunk, was seized by
severe pain in the side, which caused death il
some fifteen minutes.
There is much rejoicing here over the nomination
of Thos. H. Seymour the Democratic candidate
for gubernatorial honors in the State of Connect