The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-12-10
THE o XElGIS.
Ret .sf,, .n1., Dec. 40, 1860.
q, rrnrs ana Az .Prn.;dnn4,a Mn.sare

PRESIDENTS Message, taken from the Baltl-
more San of Tuesday, as also the report of
the Postmaster General:
THE REA ssEMBLING OF CONGRESS-
The second session ofthe fortieth Congress
commenced at Washington yesterday
There was quorum present in both hou-
SEES, and soon after meeting q committee
was appointed to wait on the President,
who sent in his annual message. In both
houses large number of bills, pending at
the last session, were introduced and re-
ferred. In the House objections weremade
to swearing in Messrs. Sherrard and Dix,
of Alabama and they were directed to
''stand aside'' until their credentials are ex-
amined. A bill was introduced to admit
the Representatives Virginia immediate
ly, butt it was ruled out of order, and sub
sequently referred to the committee on
elections, as was also the case of the mem
bers from Mississippi.
.a THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The presidents message has at least the
merit of breyity, and tits to be hoped may
become model in that respect for the COM
munications OF his SUCCESSORS ,..t'
After enumerating the various blessings
WHICH We ellJOy dS PCoplSs LAW ASoiNtSip
refers to what has been accomplished in
the matter of restoring the State govern
ments and to the special case of Georgia.
in which;he seems to think that reconstruc-
ton in that instance requires to be recon-
structed, and recommends o law author
ling the Governor of that State to con-
vene all the members originally elected to
the Legislature, requiring each member to
Il /, ha1 I>yf ha or
ton acts, and none to be admitted who are
ineligible under the third clause OF the
fourteenth amendment. The loss of our
commerce, resulting, as is alleged, from
the war, will be the subject of special
message. The restoration of Virginia is
recommended, and hope expressed that
the acts of the Texas and Mississippi Leg
islatures, when they meet, may be such as
to receive the approval of Congress, and
close the work of reconstruction. \
On the subject of the finances the tone of
the President is generally healthy, though
cautious and very conservative. He shows
an earnest appreciation Of the evils of an
irredeemable and fuctuating currency and
the necessity for a return. to the specie
basis, for which, he admits, no substitute
can be, devised. Immediate resumption of
specie payments, however, if practicable,
is not considered desirable, and such legis-
lation is recommended as will ensure a
gradual return to it. Toput "an immedi-
ate stop to fluctuation in the value Of the
cnrrency," it is suggested that the treasury
be authorized to redeem its own paper, at
a fixed price, whenever presented, and to
withhold from circulation all currency so
redeemed until sold again for gold.
In view of our increasing ability to pay,
the President suggests also as feasible the
policy of redeeming our 5 and 6 per cent
loans as they become subject to be called
in, by the negotiation of other bonds bear
ing 4 and 4 per cent. interest. The Pres
ident recommends the postponement of u
general revision of the tariff and taxation
laws for the present, but suggests a re-
newal of the tax on incomes, at reduced
rate, say of3 per cent, and this to expire
in three years. The revenues of this coun-
try are greater than the rcanirements, and
may with safety be reduced; but as the fund
ing in 4 or a Al per cent. loan would re-
duceathe annual current expenses largely,
thus after funding, justifying a greater re-
duction of taxes than would now be eX
pected, he suggests the postponement of the
question till the next Congress, though in
stances of burdensomc discrimination might
now be modified. . l
In regard to Cuba, while sympathizing
with it, the contest has at no time assumed
condition sufficient to justify a recogni-
ton of belligerency, but the principle is
maintained that this government is its
own judge when to accord that right 1t
is hoped that the good, Offices of the Uni
ted States may yet prove advantageous for
q settlement; ~. .ylfE.rHF %.
The subject of the Darien canal is favor
ably mentioned. The only grave question
which the Union has with any foreign ma
ton is that concerning the Alabama claims.
The President regarded the late conven-
ton as misconceiyed in its scope, and not
calculated to secure q hearty settlement,
and therefore approved its rejection by
the Senate as in the interests of peace.
He makes quite asummary of the con-
siderations to be provided for, beyond mere
commercial claims, and hopes the time
will soon arrive when the two governments
can approach the solution of the momentous
subject satisfactorily.
The question Of the Spanish gunboats it
is briefly stated has been referred to the
courts. . ....rr .......
The remainder of the message treats of
the landing of the French Geographic ca
BILE upon our soil, and promises endeavors
to secure by negotiation an abandonment
of the principle of monopolies in ocean
Geographic cables; citizenship of the I'm
tied States; our relations to China aud ia
pan, and such legislation as will preclude
the enslavement of the Chinese under the
name Of coolies; Recommendation of a total
repeal Of the tenure-of oficeact; and in re-
gard to the Indians, of placing them on
large reservations as speedily as can be
done. I... t.,.'...l ,uI
Reference is made also to the reports
of the various heads of departments. The
message is in general a clear and coprehen-
sive documents, and we may hereafter have
occasion to refer more specially, to some
of its most important recommendations.
REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
We give. elsewhere pretty full abstract
of the report of the Postmaster General,
and call attention to what he says of the
y Franking privilege, now enjoyed by over
10000 officials, and involving an expense
Olive millions of dollars, which he Justly
characterizes as "a special privilege gran
ted to q favored class at the expense of the
many" He presents strong array of rea-
sons for its abolition, not the least of which