The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-08
WASH N GT0M
THE ASSEMBLING OF CONGRESS.
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Credentials of the Georgia Senator
Laid on the Table.
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lLc.lsfal Movement Towards Universal Negro
Suffrage in Both HoussA
Proposed Amendment Of the
Naturalization Laws.
Resolution Of CenSure Of Minister john
son Offered in the House.
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The Presidents Message to be Sent
In on Wednesday.
lLe1sral Movement Towards Universal Negro
Suffrage in Both HoussA
Proposed Amendment Of the
Naturalization Laws.
The Presidents Message to be Sent
In on Wednesday.

In on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON, Dec. !, 1868.
Opening OF Copgress-The Senate.
The proceedings of Congress to-day were fairly
foreshadc wed in these dispatches last night. The
principal matters considered. or rather brought up,
were finance, universal suffrage, amendments Of
the naturalization laws and the troublesome Ala
hama claims. On the naturalization subject there
was regular food Of propositions, all looking to
one end, to wit, change In existing laws as to
render election frauds OF the character developed in
October and November impracticable in the future.
The attendance in both houses OF members and
spectators was remarkably full for On opening day.
Fftyve Senators were present, receiving the eager
congratulations Of friends and acquaintance. The
ladies' gallery Of the Senate had fringe OF fair oc-
eupants, and the one set apart for gentlemen was
tOlerably will filed The chaplans prayer was IN
usually long, but very edifying. 1t was evident at
the start Of the proceedings that very little business
would be done during the day, and very little really
was accomplished In the Senate the chief business dis
Cussed having been the admission OF Hill, from
Georgia. There is much difference Of opinion as to
what will be done with Hills application to be al
lowed to take his seat Many of the Senators declare
that though Hill is personally unexceptionable still
they will not consent to let HMM until the injustice
done the negroes by the Georgia Legislature ia
repaired. Governor Bullock, OF Georgia, accom-
panied by his secretary, Mr.. Eugene Davis is here,
urging the Senate to refuse the seat to Hill until
loyal republican State government Is formed in
Georgia. Mr.. Hill, however, Is supported by some
very leading Senators and may through their nfiu-
ence succeed against the powerful opposition ar
rayed against him. There is story afoat here that
Bullock himself aspires TO be the Senator from
Georgia and that this Is the key to his opposition
Mr.. Hill.
Proceedings in the House.
Passing from the Senate TO the House lvier
scene was presented The galleries and floor per-
fectly filed and there was constant buzz and hustle
observable. Here too 1t had been Anticipated little
would be done beyond the mere appointment of
committee to wait on the President, but it was
rather otherwise. After an impressive prayer from
Chaplain Boynton there was q regular avalanche
OF bills and resolutions under the call OF the States
always the regular order during the morning hour
Of Monday. Every Representative seemed to have
his pockets full Of 'joint resolutions TO amend the
constitution, 80 @ to secure universal su1rage."
There was actually race to see who could get his
resolution In first. Kelley Of Pennsylvania Eas the
lucky man. The New England States had all been
called but strange as 1t may seem, no member from
that radical section, not even Ben Butler, had re-
members initiated Kelley's example, but the mat
Ter became common, and finally little attention
was paid to It, The bills and resolutions offered
relative to the finances nearly all manifest dispo
stion upon the part OF the House to solve the prob
lem Of how to resume specie payments and keep the
currency from expanding beyond its present volume.
One resolution even went 30 far as to instruct the
Committee on Ways and Means to bring In bill al
IN early day providing for the resumption OF specie
payments 1t Is singular that no two OF these inca
sures agree as to the plan by which we are to ex-
change paper money for gold and silver. They were
al referred to the Ways and Means Committee
without debate where most Of them win
be quietly smothered. The propositions for
q modification Of the naturalization laws came
mostly from members who consider themselves to
have been defeated In the late campaign by the votes
Of our foreign citizens. II IL likely that some dea.
mite action will be taken on this subject at the pres
ent session. Many OF the republicans declare that
their districts will become hopelessly democratic II
the naturalization laws are allowed TO remain a. at
present. In addition to the members OF Congress
personally interested there In strong pressure
brought to bear from the state Republican Commit
Ices OF both New York and Pennsylvania. The whole
matter is In the hands OF the Judiciary Committee,
and as 1t has at Its head so careful man
~ Wilson, OF Iowa, 1t Is not likely that any
hasty or inconsderate action will be taken.
couple OF resolutions were offered levelled at
Minister Johnson. One Of them was from Fernando
Wood, calling for the papers in the possession OF
the State Department relative to the Alabama
claims. Wood makes the usual qualification, III
not incompatible with the public interests" IT is
generally considered that Mr.. Seward will find IL
incompatible with the public interests to make
any revelations to the House or the country on this
subject Just at present. This will probably be the
reply to the resolution. The other resolution was
from Morrcl, Of Pennsylvania, q comparatively new
member, and little versed in diplomacy. lie con.
slders that Revcrdy Johnson has disgraced himself
and the country, and he wants the President to
recall him peremptorily. few OF the more
ultra radicals were disposed 10 favor the reso-
luton, but through the nice management Of
General Banks, the chairman OF the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, IL was put quietly to sleep in that
committee Its friends were SO feeble as not to he
able to demand the yeas and nays Banks regards
II and oil kindred measures as untmcly and In bad
taste and the III success OF this effort will hardly
vito a renewed attack upon Minister Johnson.
Among those appointed by the Speaker rs tue COM
mittee TO wait upon the President was General
Schenck. Schenck Is very sour just now. against
the administration In general, ana the Secretary Of
the Treasury In particular. II appears that McCul.
loch has lately rejected friend OF Schcnck's named
Comfy who was nominated for supervisor IN OHIO.
schenck swears vengeance against the whole Caoi.
net, and says he viii have nothing to
do with either Johnson or hts Secretaries.
When his name was announced by the Speaker
to-day he arose and with considerable bitterness
satd he declined serving on the committee aud
asked TO be excused. Among those on the moor
Of the House to-day was Menari, the negro
Congressman from Louisiana. He sat upon one OF
the sofas in the rear OF the han all alone scarcely
one OF the radical members from the North looking
In the direction In which he was. The only member
who spoke with him was Blackburn, OF Louisiana.
the poor fellow seemed to feel the social ostracism
Of hs political colleagues and looked extremely
dcsolate. lie has not yet received his credentials
from the Governor OF louisiana but expects them
by mail tomorrow or next day. AS soon as
they arrive he proposes to present them 10 the
House, aud thus test the sincerity OF inc
FAw4s. A1..s fN...