New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-03
EROM WASHINGTON.
THE MESSAGE BEFORE CONGRESS.
corded.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1855.
Ii is somewhat amusing occasionally TO be be-
hind the scenes if for no other purpose to witness
the surprise of the unintiated at some unexpected
development. The delivery of the Presidents Mes
sage this morning furnished fair opportunity for
this sort of entertainment, as the House and the
outsiders were quite taken aback when that docu-
ment was suddenly announced to their astOnished
senses. Very few of the most confidential sup
porters of the Administration had been taken into
the secret, and those who were had been sworn by
bell book and candle, as if they were seekers after
the vulgar mysteries of a KnOw-Nothing lodge.
Mr.. CliLgman, who does not particularly aspire to
this distinction, was from the impulse of the mo-
ment. and from his general acquaintance with par
liamentary usage, thrown into the conspicuous pO-
sition Of leader among the kings friends, as it
was necessary to defend the reception of the Mes
sage and the right to communicate it to Congress.
With all Difference to the opinions expressed by
men of conceded ability and authority, l cannot
perceive what particular outrage was perpetrated
in sending the paper to the House. Ancient usage
has established to be sure that the two branches
comprising Congress shall BE- organized, and the
fact be officially announced to the President before
receiving any communications from him. But no
such obligation is found in the Constitution, and it
may well be questioned, whether in the adoption
of this ceremony we have not been guided too
much by the forms of the British Parliament, with
out reference to the great difference in our institu-
TONS and the hereditary nature of this deterental
regard to the crown. The President is required
- from time to time to give to Congress infOrma-
- ton Of the state of the Union and recommend
to their consideration such measures he shall
Judge necessary and expedient" He knows by
the Constitution that Congress must meet annually
on :" the first Monday in December" and that Con-
gress consists of - Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives the latter being recognized as such
before the election of Speaker IL is, therefore,
to my apprehension, quite competent for him to
select the time of sending his Message, as the
Constitution leaves it wholly discretionary. The
" innovation " aud " usurpation which rang
through the hall with so much lustiness to-day in
the discussion, were mere imaginary than real. A
state of things might be- easily conceived in which
the importance Of some communication with the
House of Representatives, as part of the war max
ing power, might b. immediate and urgent to the
last degree and to deny the right to the President
therefore, entirely, was claimed this morning,
might be at peculiar exigency TO arrest the whole
operation Of Government by strained concession to
empty ceremonial.
A very different view OF the was, however,
taken by the House which voted down the first
proposition TO receive the Message by majority Of
-. Subsequently, when Mr. Dunn proposed to
return the Message, and Mr. Marshall amended so
rs to receive and retain it in possession until the
election OF Speaker, both were laid on the Ia
BILE with u close dvisiOn-there being brit ma.
jority OF four. II the first vote be- regarded as a
direct ties, VI the Administration strength on the
floor or against all combined elements it indi-
Gates what may h. anticipated when political issues
only shall b. presented throughout the session.
While it i. doubtless true the mSjority were