The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-05
The News.

Our reports of yesterdays proceedings of Con-
gress are interesting. In the Senate bill to abo.
lish the ranking privilege was introduced and re-
ferred to the appropriate committee, as was also
bill providing for the improvement of certain har.
bors in Michigan. A resolution to print the report
of Majors Mordecai and Delafeld, the military COM
mission sent to Europe during the Crimean war,
was agreed to. petition respecting the Hon
mas land grant was referred to q special commit.
tee, as none of the standing committees desired
to take charge Of it. Mr.. Mason entered into
alengthy explanation of the term "servle States"
as applied by him to the free States In using the
phrase he referred more particularly to those per-
sons in the free States who wear livery, whom he
regarded as about on par with negro slaves. Mr..
Harlan, republican, of Iowa, discussed the topics
of the Presidents Message, but more particularly
the slavery question. Mr.. Foster, republican, of
Connecticut referred to that portion of the Message
relating to Mexico. He thought protection should
be afforded by the federal government to American
citizens in Utah and Texas before redressing out
RACES inflicted by the Mexcans.
The new treaty with Mexico was sent to the
Senate yesterday, together with a statement, by
Minister McIane, of the position of affairs in that
republic.
Senator Douglas is again reported sick, and it is
probable he will yet proceed to Florida for relief
The session of the House of Representatives was
again occupied by Improbable squabbles between
the political factions. Another ballot-the twenty.
fourth-was had for Speaker, without effecting q
choice. The democrats appear now to be more ad-
verse to the adoption Of the plurality rule than
ever and there is some reason for the belief that
the House may not be organized till after the meet.
ing of the Charleston Convention.
But little Of importance was transacted in the
Legislature yesterday. In the Senate petition for
law to compel citizens to vote was presented.
Notice was given of bill to exempt property of
fremen to the amount Of $500, from taxation. In
the House the death Of Mr.. Shaw, member
from Delaware, was announced Notice was
given of number Of bills of importance to citizens
of this city. We refer to the report of the proceed
ings for details.
The annual report of the Inspectors of State
prisons. shows that the number of convicts in
the several prisons at the close of the year 1859 has
increased $50 over the same period of 1858,
exclusive of the convicts in the Auburn Asylum.
The expense of the prisons for the year has been
$279,333 So, earnings, sl9O,9ll 50. Excess of ex-
pense, ss,s42 l6. The Inspectors believe that the
6iSaeSos ueicCt vi prison systVW ID wv Wdut VI
more direct personal accountability and indi-
vidual responsibility in the principal officers They
consider that the agents of the prisons do not re-
ceive sufficient compensation for their difficult.
and embarrassing services
The Illinois Democratic State Convention met at
Springfield yesterday, and to the
Charleston Convention. The delegates were in.
structed to procure, il possible, the nomination os
Senator Douglas for President.
The Rhode Island Republican State Convention
met at Providence yesterday, and nominated Seth
Padelford, for Governor; Stephen N. Mason, for
Lieut. Governor; John R. Bartlett, for Secretary of
State; Samuel G. Parker, for Treasurer, and Tho
mas K. King, for Attorney General. A full delega-
tion to the Chicago Convention was also chosen.
In the Common Pleas (Cbambers), before Judge
DAILY, yesterday, application was made = the case
of Suydam, Sage Co., for relief under the In.
solvent act, the firm having liabilities 70 the
amount Of nearly 50, 900 ,Oo0 The petition for re
lief was opposed by Messrs. Barrett, Martin,
Strong. Ssuzey and several Others for large mum
her Of creditors- The remonstrances were pre-
scented to the Court and the case adjourned.
The steamer Cahawba, from New Orleans and
Havana respectively on the 9th and 3Oth of De-
cember, arrived at this port last evening at seven
O'Clock. There is no news of importance by this
arrival. At Havana the holidays were being OBJ,
served with the usual ceremonies, and business was
consequently at standstill. Our correspondent
notices the landing Of additional cargoes of Afri.
cans.
The Commissioners Of Emigration met yester
day about an hour before the usual time without
;utmatipg to the reporters their intention Of 50
doing previously. II Is said that they passed