The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1867-01-05
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
SATURDA Y. JANUARY 5.

The papers received by the clipper Golden
Fleece aud bark Bsnies, though slow in reaching
their destinatigS, come freighted with an unu-
sually interesting variety Of news. Our latest
san Francisco dates by the above arrivals are to
December ;, New York by mail TO November 10,
and by telegraph to December 1.
Commencing with the American election news,
we find that tine official returns give larger Repub-
lican maj9Tities than their own papers claimed.
Fox instance, Illinois rolls up sc. JOY majority.
New York State 1852. The total vote was
723 ,62i-the heaviest ever polled. In Wiscon-
sin the Republican majority is ., 900. In Kan
Sos, q 600. In Minnesota, 10 ,G09. These show
that the people of the North endorse Congress,
and stand ready to carry out every measure neces-
sary to ensure the security of the Union.
Congress met on the third of December, and
the message Of President johnson was laid before
it the same day. 1t was published in full in sun
Francisco on the 4th. An abstract of this dOcu-
ment viii be found on our last page. Those who
wish 70 IeruSe it entire viii find It in the Califor-
MA weekIies of December 8. 1t is a well-written,
calm state paper, free from the personalities and
coarse language which have characterized the
Presidents late speeches and letters. Its moder-
alton would indicate a desire TO harmonic with
Congress, after the clear verdict given in the late
elections against the Presidents policy. Yet he
plainly reiterates his views and urges their adOp-
ton. The most noticeable feature Of the message
Is the manifest desire TO raise foreign questions
VIII F--"~O --.d -7t--l,-FPaIe"d rI' TIC P~'-
pose Of diyerting public attention from home af-
fairs.
From the telegraph Dispatches, it is clear that
Congress has opened the session with great conf
dence in It's power, and with 4 determination to
take into It's own hands the reconstruction ques-
ton. This is right, for Congress is simply the
American People convened together. Congress
possesses all the power which the people Possess.
The President is simply the executive TO carry Out
the uiH IF the Nation, rs expressed by It's repre-
sentatiycs in Congress. The sooner that Congress
plants itself on this basis. the better for North and
South. 1t has gone TO work right this time, and
passed 4 resolution DECLARING that the power TO
restore the rebel States TO their former status rests
solely in it.
1t is also proposed TO take from the President
the power of pardoning rebels. which has been
evidently abused by him, as in the case Of Mayor
Monroe of New Orleans and others. The time of
opening the next Congress will also be changed,
50 that that body viii assemble Immediately after
VIC AVS " 49, 1911 ~
March. In the matter of removals from Office,
solely on account of political views, Congress will
pass a law to check the Presidents power. 1t is
stated that over 2.200 p0s;Inas;ers have been re-
moved from Office during the recess of Congress to
make way for johnson men. Congress has the
power TO pass any law it pleases, as it possesses q
majority sufficient to override the Presidents
veto. But the object in view should be not 50
much 10 head of a President who has come into
conflict with Congress, as TO 80 arrange the Gov
eminent 50 as - remove the '.spJils of Office
from all future political contests.
\ synorsis Of the annual reports Of the depart
ments viii be found ON our fourth page. The
finances Of the American Government mos; cer-
tainly present a favorable yiew-the debt having
been reduced in eighteen months about two hun
dred and twenty millions, the present debt
amounting To only two thousand FIVE hundred and
fifty millions. which sum Mr.. M'Culloch says can
easily be paid Of during the present generation,
and that with the taxes greatly reduced. Ii
seems probable that 4 resumption of specie pay
men;s will soon be made.
Another important move in Congress i the
proposition TO appoint territorial governments for
the States which refuse 10 adopt the amendments
% the Constitution. and thus resume their places
IN the Union. This measure will probably not
BE- adopted, for 80 soon a. the South finds that
Congress i firm and will not yield one iota on
the reconstruction question, the States. one after
another. Will yield. and adopt the slae FuG non.
There i every evidence Of this, and the following,
from South and North Carolina papers. are sam
TIcS of many extracts which might De given
Gradually the Southern papers are discussing the
constitutional amendment and the question ~ IL
adoption and IN many cases IN a favorable manner.
Throughout the south il : receiving the earnest at
tcution % the whole people. Ii was hoped tina: in
the October elections tire policy Of the President
would receive the Endorsement Of the majority Of
the people bat that l. decided. and the question
comes into greater prominence. We want this
amendment adopted. for II i the best terms the
south will ever be offered. II / tie platform Of
the conservative element in Congress. and never
received the hearty support OF the radicals IF the
Sumner. Wade and Stevens class Should the South
reject l.. The moderate men In the Republican party
South will be- required to accept position far more
di>aEreeIble and SIbsrryient than that which the
amendment would create.
The Scwbern N. O. TInes saws:
We need - be reconstructed. and the terms that
are now demanded. IL order 10 the attainment Of
. that end. are not as hard. nor viii j, cost u near 80
much @, comply with ;hrIu. Is il did with those pre-
viuU>ly made. with which Ne have already COM
piled. All orr Ht-rcS--a-Ti-ul'uT-l commercial.