The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-09
WASHINGTON NEWS.

THE CALIFORNIA OVERLAND ExPREss-THE EXECUTIVE
INvEsTIGATIoN-THE WAREHoUsING SYsTEM-THE
TARIFF-THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The correspondent of the New York Herald,
writing from Washington on Wednesday, says:
w. II. Russell, of the firm of Russell, Majors,
Waddell Co., returned from the West last even
ing. He has been experimenting the stocking of
the route for the Pixies Peak and California EX-
press over the Central route, and now has not only
all the horses but has riders practicing their new
duties, as the first express will positively leave on
the Sd of April. 1t is contemplated to make the
time from the Atlantic seaboard north or SOUTH to
the city of San Francisco in eight days by means
OF the various telegraph lines this side of the Rocky
Mountains, and the overland line which has its
present east terminus five hundred and sixty-iive
miles from San Francisco, in Nevada TERRITORY
This line the three SUBMITS of the Sierra
Nevada through perpetual snow 5000 feet above
the level of the sea- and has been in constant work
ing order the past year. special despatch bag
will be made up in New York city for the first ex-
press, only letters thereafter having to be sent to
the point of departure, which will be announced in
few days. Letters in government envelopes or
Geographic dispatches will be conveyed at the rate
of five dollars the half ounce. Telegraphic des-
patches can be received at the starting point up to
five p NJ of the day of departure. This enterprise
receives no government aid, but every one here
interested in the Pacific States promises it cordial
support. The express will run regularly for six
months certainly, contracts for that time have
already been made, and that period will fully
demonstrate its Importance.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Hoard in the House
yesterday to inquire whether corrupt propositions
were made by the President or his representatives
to Messrs. Hasking, Hickman and Adrain, to in
duce them to abandon their anti-Lecompton policy
and support the bill, done without any con-
sultation with those gentlemen The President says
he is anxious, and invites the most thorough lnves
tigation into all his acts and those OF his Cabinet
and subordinates here and elsewhere. 1t is said he
will be able to turn the tables some of the mem
bers in regard to his alleged attempts, during the
contest on the Kansas-Ne braska bill, to influence
their votes by the promise of ofice-as, on the
trary some of them expressed willingness to
him, provided he would make certain appointments
which would be agreeable to them, which, how
ever, he declined to do. Many of the Republicans
already regreting that the Investigations have
been started, fearing that they may recol upon
them.
1t is designed to bring in bill for abolshing the
present warehousing system, which encourages
excessive imports and furnishes depot for the
surplus manufactures of Europe to the serious in
jury of our domestic interests One retrenchment
would Immediately follow in diminishing the num-
Der of public stores, as the new plan will probably
require all duties to be paid within thirty days.
Under the present arrangement foreign importers,
besides other advantages, save interest on duties
by bonding their merchandise. The whole system
is part of Robert j. Walkers free-trade enter
prise, mainly for the benefit of British manufac-
turers.
Every arrival brings large number of delegates
to the Charleston Convention, whose errand is un-
doubtedly to ascertain the views and sentiments OF
the powers that be, and which of a dozen candi-
dates will be likely to concentrate the largest vote
and eventually be nominated. The friends of the
various candidates are working like beavers, and
hardly day passes but they are compelled to
change their slate account of encountering new
and formidable obstacles.
The Committee on WAYS and Means have nearly
matured a modification of the tariff which is pre-
dictated mainly upon Mr.. MorrilPs bill of last Con-
gress, with such notifications as experience and
fuller information have demonstrated to be desira-
BILE and necessary. 1t contemplates judicious and
practical revision by which stability and protec-
tion will be promoted and agricultural manufactu-
ring and mining interests be fairly considered.
THE SALARIES OF CONGRESSMAN.
The House Committee on Public Expenditures
had the subject of repeating the law fixing the sala
ries of Senators and Representatives before them
to-day. The bill was proposed by Mr.. Cobb, of
Alabama. The committee have agreed to refer it
back to the House, and Mr.. Hindman will perform
that duty.
general Court Martial has been ordered by
the War Department, to meet at Harper's Ferry
on the 18th inst, or thereafter as practical
Bile, for the trial of such persons may be brought
before it. The following is the detail of the court:
Colonies Thomas and Chandler, Captains Whitall,
Getty, and Clitz, Lieutenants Bates and Garland.
Captain Jones, Judge Advocate
The Secretary of War was engaged with the
President four hours to-day, in examining appl-
cations for ten appointments at large for cadet
ships at West Point, without concluding the Sc
lections. No such rush has been known for ten
years.
The proposition of Mr.. Aldricb, of Minnesota,
to-day, to remove the capital to some point the
Mississippi, near the falls of st. Anthony, is the
result of the attempt to reduce the mileage of mem
bers.
The Harper's Ferry Investigation Committee,
after long deliberation, have formally decided
not to call Gov. Wise before them.