Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-21


CHAPTER 1.-The First Ses ion of the Nineteenth Con-
gress begns.-1he Presidents Message.
On Monday, thes5th Of December, 1925, the
Constitutional day for this meeting, the Nine
teenth Congress began its first Session. In the
Senate, thirty-nine members were present, and
the Vice-President took the chair at 9 O'Clock.
Al the same hourthe House of Representatives
assembled, one hundred and ninety members be-
ing present; and on-the second ballot for Speak
er, John w Taylor received ninety nine votes,
and was, therefore, elected, Matthew ST. Clair
Clarke was chosen Clerk, John o. Dunn, Ser
geant-at-A Arms, Benjamin Burch, Doorkeeper,
and Overton Carr, Assistant Doorkeeper. Mr..
Smith, Of Maryland, and Mr.. Lloyd, Of Massa-
chusetts, on the part of the Senate, and Mr..
Trmble, Of Kentucky, and Mr.. Lathrop, of
Massachusetts, on the part OF the House Of Re-
presenta,ives, were appointed to wait on the
President Of the United States, and inform him
that quorum Of each House was now in ses-
sion, and that Congress was ready TO receive
any communication which he might be pleased
10 make.
About ~ O'Clock Of Tuesday, December 9th,
the Presidents Message was transmitted TO both
Houses Of Congress, by the hands ofhis Private
Secretary, John Adams, Jr. The unusual in.
terest attending the recent competition for the
Presidency, and the circumstance, with sim
gle exception, unprecedented in our annals, of
an election by the House OF Representatives, of
the present Chief Magistrate, had excited much
and anxious expectation throughout the Union,
in regard to the appearance OF this document.
Its execution CORE ponded with the literary re-
putation of the President; its exhibition of the
condition OF the country, both in domestic and
foreign relations, was distinct and minute; and
It's recommendations embraced all the impor-
tant subjects con6ded by the Constitution to
Congress, which still required Legislative at
tention.
After adverting TO the peace, plenty and hap
pipess-which, for the last previous wear, had
blessed the Union; to the events that, during
few years peace, had unfolded to the rulers of
Europe the true objects of governments; and 10
our unchanged relations with great Britain; the
President bestowed merited applause on the IL
berahty of the commercial policy Of our coun-
try. The proposal made by the act of Congress,
OF March Sd, 1915, to all the maritime nations,
that the system ofexclusion and restriction, pre-
ylously pursued, should be abandoned, had, by
many oil them, al different times, and 10 unequal
extents, been accepted. From the salutarv re-
suits Oh TINS improvement on the principles of
INTERNATIONAL intercourse, the President was in
duced to suggest to.Congress the inquiry, whe-
Their remaining feature Of the former system
might not be safely obliterated, by extending
the general offer OF eqaal competition. made in
the act Of Congress of january 9Th. 1924. 10 in.
clude all articles of merchandise not prohibited
Of whatever country they might be the produce
ormanufactnre. The Convention OF Commerce
and Navigation between The United States aud
France, concluded June Oath, 1922, and limit
ted to two years, from October LIST, 1922, still
continued in force, by common consent, under
proviso contained in it. This Convention.
leaving nadjusted, among other subjects, the
Claims Of citizens Of the United States on the
French Government, for spoliauioDs committed
on their property, the justice of which claims
was never questioned, applications for their set
cement had been Earnestly aud repeatedly made
= '"S' 10sernmens aud, it was thought un-