Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-12-15

ing cost LOT year CONSIDERABLY IN
excess of ninety-three millions. The difference
between the estimates and expenditures for the
three fiscal years which have been named is thus
shown to be $40 545 343 for this single branch of
the public service.
The Postmaster Generals report furnishes a
full and clear exhibit of the operations and con-
dition of the postal service. The, ordinary postal
revenue for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1863
was SIG 2926O0 and the total expenditures, en-
bracing all the service for which special appro-
priations have been made by Congress, amount
ed to ~, 73O. 592, showing excess of expendi-
lures OF So, 437, 99l. Deducting from the expen-
ditures the ST 1896, 525, the amount of appro-
priations for ocean steamship and other special
service, the excess of expenditures was S4,541,-
1885,
Our relations with Mexico during the wear have
been marked by an increasing growth of mutual
confidence The Mexican Government has not
yet acted upon the three treaties celebrated here
last summer for establishing the rights Ofnatural
lied citizens upon liberal and basis, for regulat-
ing consular powers, and for the adjustment of
mutual claims
While the United States have on all occasions
protested decided unwillingness that any part
of this continent or its adjacent islands shall be
made a theatre for new establishment of mo-
narchical power too little has been done by US,
on the other hand, to attach the communities by
which we are surrounded to our own country. or
are so resolutely and so constantly making Sc
cure republican institutions for themselves
1t is indeed question of grave consideration
whether our recent and present example is not
calculated to check the growth and expansion of
free principles, and to make those communities
distrust, ifnot dread, Government which at will
consigns to military domination States that are
integral parts of our Federal Union, and while
ready to resist any attempts by other nations to
extend to this hemisphere the monarchical insti-
tutlons OF Europe, assumes to establish over a
large portion of its people rule more absolute,
harsh, and tyranncal than any known to ciyiliz-
ed Powers.
[ renew the recommendation contained in my
communication to Congress dated the 18th July
last-a copy of which accompanies this message
that the judgment ofthe people should be taken
on the propriety of SO amending the Federal Con-
stitution that it shall provide
LIST. For an election of President and Vice
President by direct vote of the people, instead
them ineligible for reelection to a second term.
I'd For distinct recognition ofthe person who
shall discharge the duties of President, in the
event of a vacancy in that office by the death.
resignation or removal of both the Presidentand
Vice President. s.sH
Sd. For the election of Senators of the United
States directly by the people ofthe several States
instead of by the Legislatures; and
4th. For the Limitation to period of years OF
the terms of Federal judges t
Profoundly impressed with the proprety of
making these important notifications in the Con-
stitution, respectfully submit them for the early
and mature consideration of Congress. We should
as far as possible remove all pretext for violations
of the organic law by remedying such imperfec-
lions as time and experience may develop over
remem bering that 'the Constitution which at
any time exists, until changed by an explicit and
authentic act of the whole people, is sacredy OBJ
ligatory upon all"
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE w ednesday Dec. 9th.-A number
of bills, reports and petitions were presented
and disposed Of The bill removing the politi-
cal disabilities of E. j. Moses, Chief Justice Of
South Carolina, was passed. The Presidents
message was received, and the reading OF it
commenced. When only small portion had
been read, Mr.. CONFESS moved that the further
reading should be dispensed with. After
long discussion the Senate, without taking
vote on the motion, adjourned. 1
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, bill re-
moving the political disabilities Of +. j. Mos
ses, Chief Justice of South Carolina, was taken
up and passed. Mr.. Washburne, from the
Committee on Appropriations, stated that be
will tomorrow offer joint resolution provid-
ing for recess from the 2lst instant to the 9th
of January. The bill passed last July provid-
ing for an election in Virginia to ratfy or reject
the State Constitution adopted in December,
1867, was taken up for re enactment. 1t pro-
vides that election shall be held on the goth OF
January, 1869. for the above purpose and for
election to be held from time to time for the
election ofState officers and members Of Con-
gress. Pending the discussion of the bill the
Presidents message was received and read
After the reading, the message was denounced
by Mssers. Scilenck Washburne, Highly and
others as disrespectful to the House. The Pres
ident's financial recommendations were declared
to be in the interests of reputation. The
message was laid on the table, the House refus
ing to refer to committees as has heretofore
been the custom. The consideration of the
Virginia election bill was resumed, and it was
amended to make the election on fourth
ing of the Legislature in September. The bill
was passed as amended and at 3, 35 the house
| adjourned.
SENATE Thursday, Dec. 10th.-A number
of select committees were re-appointed and an
election of standing committees took place. A
number Of bills, resolutions, &c., were read and
| referred to committees. The Indian Bureau
| passed by the House was, after some discussion,
referred to the committees on Indian Affairs
| The credentials of Mr.. Hill, Senator elect from
Georgia, were referred to the Judiciary COM
mittee A bill was introduced incorporating
the National junction Railway The Presi-
dents message was taken up, read through,
and after brief debate was laid on the table
and ordered to be printed. Messers. Edmunds
and Frelinghuysen delivered speeches denounc-
ing the message in the most abusive language.
The Senate then adjourned until Monday.
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, number
of bills and resolutions OF general Importance
were introduced and disposed Of A bill was
passed authorizing the sale of the Government
property at Harper's Ferry A bill was intro
duced providing for a national system of mill
tary education. A memorial of certain citizens
OF Baltimore was presented, relating to Alta
| Vela claims A concurrent resolution was
passed providing for the adjournment of Con-
gress from Monday, December 2lst to January
9Th, 1869 Without transacting any other
business of Importance the House, at Z, M. /,
adjourned until Monday.
For the Spectator.
| Mr. EDITOR Augusta subscription to the
Valley r. r. has been carried beyond oil doubt.
The vote under the charter was a majority and
not three fifth vote, as in the Chesa & O. SUBJ
scription IT'S true the charter speaks of a
vote by freeholders, but the orders from Gen.
Stoneman attached to each poll-book over-rides
this and opens the way to all entitled to vote
for the Legislature, white and black. Even if
freehold vote, the subscription is carried by a
decent majority, and great shame to the coun-
| ty if it had not carried it. Let the company
be organized at once and the most capable en-
gineer be selected to locate the route. Rock
bridge has done her whole duty, and the other
counties will tread in her footsteps beyond
doubt OMRICAN.
s"Tne negroes Of Georgia appear to be in a