Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-03
RICH MOND, VA.
Monday Morning, December 3.
CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATURE

CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATURES.
This is great day Tor Legislative meetings.
The Congress OF the U. s. and the General As
sembly OF Virginia assemble to-day, in the dis
charge OF their constitutional duties
Congress meet under unusual circumstances
A new President is just elected; but his admius-
tration does not commence until the end of the
session II is also the short session; but nolwilh-
standing this position, We hope that they will 20
seriously TO work, and devote all their energies
TO the important measures, which invoke their
attention Three months are before them-and
if they are well employed they will be able to
reform many abuses, and introduce many i'm
provements. There should be no proiracted and
angry debates Party spirit ought 10 sleep The
country calls for all the calnness and wisdom,
which can be displayed and il is 10 be hoped, The
termination OF The Presidential campaign will
permit the pillows 10 slumber Tor season.
We look for an able and impressive Message
from the President OF the U. States He has be-
lore him the great question OF Texas, which he
should recommend TO the immediate attention of
Congressman also material modification of the
Tariff Law-which has already overilown the
Treasury with redundant supply We expect
from him also, as we'll as from the Postmaster
General, the recommendation ola great reform in
the Post Office laws. The postage on letters
should be reduced 10 the wants Of the country
and the system olprivale posts should be supcrced
ed by more moderate law. lisa species OF snug
Cling which has been generated in the hot-bed oil
enormous postage. These are among the most i'm
porlant mcaeures, which demand The attention OF
ibc present session Ii is hoped, tina, they will I've
vigorously prosecuted, and that they will lermi-
nate successfully. We anticipate the introduce
ton OF bill for the annexation Of Texas, at
very early period of the session. The House Of
Representatives will most probably pass il-and
lei the responsibility rest upon the Senate The
modification of the Tariff should be urged with a
similar spirit The manufacturers ought as soon
as possible 10 know what they are 10 expect
Their highest interest requires stability OF duty
even more than a high rate Of protection. But
stability they cannot expect 10 enjoy so long as the
present law remains upon the statute book, with
lis oppressive cxac.ions, and lis direct prosrailon
of all the principles Of the Compromise PA. If
the members of both Houses would economic
their time for debate, ana devote most OF their
time 10 their public duties, this session, short as il,
is NAV be ranked among the most useful III our
legislative annals.
The session of the Virginia I.egislaturci is pro-
baby destined 10 shoi duration. II is the first
experiment which is to be made under the rule
OF the two and a half months. Il is hoped, also,
that they will economist their time, and substitute
works for words; energy OF action for loquacity
of eloquence The great subject Of consulting
the people upon the call Of Convention 10
amend the Constitutional revising the whole
system of primary schools; and Of converting the
Public Guard into Military Academy, for which
the present Commander is so admirably cacu-
latcl-the promoting OF such internal improve
menrS, especially the James River concerns,
which the public interests demand, and for which
the finances OF the State may be calculated 10
advance attempts 10 enact new consiitu-
tional guards Tor preserving the purity Of the
Elective Franchisc-hesc and other subjects will
call for the serious attention of the Legislature.
We shall lay the Governors Message before our
readers To- morrow One of the most exciting sub
jecs during the session will he the election Of
United States Senator. We shall moi play the
part of the prophet Nathan, and say "ths is the
man." or predict in any way vino shall he the Sc
nator-but we do no, hesitate TO say at once, that
he ought 10 be decided Republican. A Demo
cratic People, who have Just pronounced their de-
cision with voice Of thunder, and By a majority
of near 6, 900 in favor of Republican President,
would have great cause To complain, If their
wishes were TO be dcspised-and their p''nsipie,
tiisfrnr>cnsru, u, .'."'fstrtiIS portion of 'her
sovereign power Tor six years To Senator, who
would PROSTATE their highest principles and give
his casting vote in opposition 10 their wishes. We
trust that no slch anomaly will be exhihiied-and
that the people of Virginia will hc represented ac-
cording 10 their true position. The late election
reads lesson which cannot be mistaken. From
various causes j, happened, that at the last
Spring election in several counties, gentlemen
were returned who Go not represent The princi-
pies Of their people We shall see how far they
will now reflect the sentiments OF their conSisu-
entS