The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-05

Of Va and other old members have retired from the
body the honors of seniority devolve Williamson r.
w. Cobb, Of Ala
CONTESTED SEATS.
There are quite number of seats TO be contested, and
where party lines are 80 closely may expect 10
see these contests carried with great eanestness and
acrimony because the results may give almost working
majority TO the republicans.
Returned, Contested By
Daniel E Sickles, Of N Y.,D Amor Williamson, A.
William WIN Malay KIP rop h asur Ksnbe
William c. Anderson of Ky, IS. o. James s. Chrisman, D.
Morrison Harris Of M SO William F. Preston Preston d
Geo GO B. Cooper, OF Mich, ID. William A. Howard, r.
j. Richard Barrett, Of No., d. Francis p Blair, Jr, H.
lansing Stout, OF Oregon, d. David logan, H.
Ezra B. French, Of Me-, r. Alfred W. johnson, D.
Experience Estabrook, Of Neb., D.. Samuel g. Daily, T.
Miguel A. Otero, OF N. NJ, d. Henry NJ. Watts, ID.
Two three weeks Of the session. least, viii be
sumed in dposng Of these election cases. and
in this, as In other matters the effect Of the organization
win be felt republican Speaker be elected majo-
rty Of the members and the Chairman OF the Committee
Elections will be republicans and WILL Of course, favor
the claimants belonging to their party. AS TO the
Territorial Seats there will be hurry in dsposing Of
them because the delegates have votes and because
the longer the question remains open the better for both
parties who receive their mileage and per diem until
decided.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
SUBJECTS TO BE EMBRACED IN IT.
The organization Of the House being effected, and Con
gress having appointed joint committee to wait upon the
President and inform him that II IL ready proceed to
business, the Presidents Message will be delivered If
there should be any undue delay in electng the Speaker
Mr.. Buchanan may, as Mr.. Pierce did four years ago.
send his Message the Senate. There are great many
Important and exciting questions to be discussed in it,
the occupation Of the Island Of San JUAN unsettled
pearance affairs home arising of the ropressble
conflict interpreted by John Brown at Harpers Ferry
the passage Of general bankrupt law the tariff question:
the Pacific Railroad the acquisition OF Cuba the Post office
deficiencies the working of the Reciprocity treaty. the alb
rogaon Of the Clayton Bulwer treaty. and other matters
gilmore or less pressing importance.
The principal points the forthcoming Message may be
thus briefly resumed
Recent events in Virginia win bring forth some en-
phatc remarks the danger which all sections Of the
country incur, from the growing tendency TO arrange
parties geographical grounds and also from the in
creased disposition in the public mind to hold lightly the
obligations Of loyalty TO the constitution.
Another point Of domestic policy which it will touch
upon the protection to slavery in the Territories While
the President holds to the constitutional doctrine this
point deprecaes legislation in anticipation of its being
required and thinks should wait until the emergency
comes up. Congress will follow his advice, the whole
subject will sink quietly down; for, in five years more
we shall have Territories which TO agtate the ques
ton
The condition Of the Post Office Department. in the alb
sence of appropriations by the last Congress- is subject
OF earnest comment, with recommendation Of speedy
action order TO relieve the department and the country
from the evils that accrue in the present state of affairs
In regard 10 revenue and finance the recommendations
OF the Message will probably embrace some important
A..
hbt vast recovery from the depression Of the last two
years. there Is to doubt whether would be
prudent the tariff OF ls4s until the whole ques
ton can be arranged stable basis. Under the
present unwise system every Huctuaton in prices affects
the revenue In speculative years. when the government
should not have the temptation which large revenue
gives 10 entertain all kinds Of schemes the high prices
Of merchandise food the treasury with from duties
and stimulate the general inoxcaton On the other hand
years Of commercial depression the low prices Of goods
dpete the and the general uneasiness
In foreign policy, the Message will give the first
place the San Juan question, which this moment
IN an irritating position. During the last administration
an understanding established between and England
that neither government should exclusively occupy San
Juan until the pending question of its dominion was
settled
General Harvey, either from some ambiguity In his in
s.rucons from not understanding them clearly took
possession Of the island This step called from Lord
John Russell despatch to Lord Lyons which was COM
muncated by direction to General Cass stating that
England held undsputed right to the island and would
insist upon its recognition by this country.
This ladvsed despatch has complicated tho question
materially. We cannot withdraw under its implied
threat and the President will forth our rights to the
island in the ceares and most distinct manner and ad
wise Congress that they be maintained.
regard actual pOsOn of things nj tho island
since the arrival of General Scott the following are the
actsOn Tuesday last 18th ult voluminous dispatches
were received at the War Department from the General
brought by the last steamer from the Pacific He had ad
dressed letter to Governor Douglass stating that under
his instructions from the President OF the United States
he authorized TO withdraw the forces Of the United
States and adhere to the treaty agread to between the two
governments Of joint occupancy until the points in dis
pute are settled. Governor Douglass replied that he
not authorized TO accept the proposition, and
would therefore have to confer with his govern.
ment He had doubt II would be entirely
acceptable He expressed great satisfaction at the
arrival Of General Scott and had no doubt the pend
ing difficulties between the two governments would
be amicably and satisfactorily adjusted If the PROPOSE
ton Of General Scott acceded to- the island will be &C.
cuped jointly by small force of the respective govern
ments.
In view Of the increasing value Of our transisthmus
trade and travel the Message will call the attention Of
Congress again TO the insecurity Of those routes and re-
new the recommendations Of last years special messages
on this subject.
Mexican affairs are to be lightly touched upon in view
Of pending negotiations but the President will recon-
mend that the present absurd restrictions our neu
tray laws be SO far modified to permit our citizens
who may desire to do to enlist in the defence Of the
legitimate government Of that republic, without mourning
the penalty Of fine and term in the State prison.
The Message will probably give rise to exciting and pro-
tracted debates
WORK FOR CONGRESS.
The unfinished business Of Congress dies with the clos
of that Congress- and all pending matters must be COM
menced de Thus bills passed by house and not
acted by the other stand in better condition than il
they had been brought up derive no advantage
whatever from the progress that had been made with
them There was quite large number Of bills passed by
the Senate and voted by the House. and nice rsa