From Washington.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.] Washington, Dec. 6th, 1860.
The secret of the Homestead bill is this — at least, in part: England pays annually $36,000,000 for the support of paupers.
On the continent the poor rates are also enormous. --Hence the organized emigration instituted by the British and other governments.
Every inducement is offered to poor people to leave.
First, the poor-house is made as revolting as possible; the father, mother, sons and daughters have each separate rooms, and they are thrown in contact with the lowest class of criminals, Second, England furnishes clothes, provisions, and pays the passage of every pauper who will emigrate; if he is the head of a family, gives him $10 the moment he lands in Canada, and $5 if he is a single man.
The Grand Trunk Railroad, owned by Sir. Merton Peto, Hon. Mr. Brussy, and a few other British capitalists, has been specially favored by the home government because it (the road,) affords the best possible avenue for pushing the paupers and criminals to the Far West.
But the hordes of emigrants poured into New York alarmed the property holders there.
They saw that labor would soon press upon the means of subsistence.
Hence, like the English, they, too, were anxious to open an easy way to the West.
The New York and Erie, the New York Central, the Pennsylvania Central, were built for the two-fold purpose of sending off paupers and bringing back breadstuffs.
And now it is not difficult to see why such bounties are offered as the Homestead bill.
Further: It is well known that there was, and doubtless still exists, an understanding between the managers of the Grand Trunk Road and Dean Richmond, and other great Northern railroad men, with regard to the Central Pacific Railroad, which is to connect with the Grand Trunk, and is to cost, for original outlay, $60,000, with an annual bonus of $6,500,000 for carrying mails, troops, and munitions of war. So it appears that British gold is at the bottom both of the Homestead Bill and the Pacific Railroad.--Again, the Pacific Railroad is intended to be a great Abolition Corporation, with a capital amounting ultimately to $260,000,000. The gentleman who gave me these facts concluded his remarks by asking significantly, "If a whole pack of hounds can be led by a crust of bread, how many Northern abolitionists could you command with two hundred and sixty million dollars?"
Disunion is still in the ascendant.
The Senate has adjourned till Monday.
The House will probably do the same.
There is a pause, of which be sure the Union men will make good use. Capitalists, who think everything can be done with money, are working like beavers to get South Carolina to postpone.
If she does, or if Mississippi, Alabama and Florida hang fire, a compromise will probably be effected.
Zed. 