The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-12-15

S
read to-day in Congress:
10 the Senate and
House Of Representatives. I:
GEORGIA TO DE RECONSTRUCTED.
Seven of tho States which passed
the ordinances of secession have been
fully stored to their places in the
Union. The ighth--G Georgia-held
an election at which she ratified her
Constitution, republican in 'orm elect.
cd Governor, members OF Congr css,
State Legislature, aud the other off
GERS required. The Governor was in
stalled; the Legislature met and per.
formed all the acts then required of
them by the reconstruction nets of
Congress. Subsequently, however,
in violation Of the Constitution which
they lad just ratified, as since decid-
cd by the Supreme Court of that
State, they unseated the oolorcd men,
bers of the Legislature and admitted
to their seats some members who were
disqualified by the third clause of the
fourteenth amendment; an article,
which they themselves had ccntribut.
cd to ratify. Under these circum-
stances, | would submit to you wheth-
er it would not be wise without delay
to enact law authorizing the Cover
nor OF Georgia to convene the mem
bers originally elected to the Lcsis-
lature, requiring each to take oath
prescribed by the reconstruction acts,
and none to he admitted who are ireli.
gible under the third clause of the
fourteenth amendment.
wr THE FREEDMEN.
y The freedmen under the protection
which they have received, are making
rapid progress in learning, and no
complaints arc heard of lack of indus
try on their part when they receive
fair enumeration for their labor.
THE GOVERNMENT INCOME.
The means provided for paying the
interest on the public debt, with all
other expenses Of Government, are
more than ample.
THE LOSS or OUR COMMERCE.
The loss of our commerce is the
only result of the late robell which
has not received sufficient attention
from you. 10 this subject call your
earnest attention. l will not now sug-
gest plans by which this object may
be effected, but will, if necessary,
make it the subject of special mes
sage during the session.
THE ELECTIONS UNDER THE RECON.
TIoN ACT IN IHE SOUTH.
Congress, by joint resolution, au.
thorized the Executive to order cleo.
tions in the States Of Virginia, Mis-
sissippi, and Texas, to submit to
them the Constitutions which each had
previously framed, and to submit the
Constitutions either entire or in sepe-
rate parts to be voted upon at the dis
cretion of the Executive. Under this
authority elections were called. In
Virginia the election took place on
the 9th of July. The Governor q nd
Lieutenant Governor were elected and
have been installed. The Legislature
met and did all required by this reso-
luton and by all the reconstruction
acts of Congress, and abstained from
all doubtful authority. I recommend
that her senator's and representatives
9c promptly admitted to their seats,
Nahd that the State be fully restored
to it's place in the family Of States.
Elections we're called in Mississippi
and Texas, to commence November
3Oth---two days in Mississippi aud
four in Texas. The elections have
taken place, but tho result is not
known. II is hoped that the acts of
the Legislatures of these States, when
they meet, will be such as to receive
your approval, and thus close tho
work of reconstruction. "
TIE nEsumprioN or SPECIE PAYMENT.
Among the evils growing out of the
rebellion, aud not yet referred to, Is
that Of an irredcemable currency. 1t
is an evil which | hope will receive
your most earnest attention. It is u
duty, and one Of the highest duties Of
government, to secure to the citizen q
medium Of fixed end unvarying value.
This implies return to specie ba.
Bis, and no substitute for itonn be de.
vised. It should be ommonoed now,
and reached at tho earliest practical
moment consistent with fair regard
to the interest of the debtor ofass.
Immediate resumption, if practicable,
would not be desirable. It would
compel the debtor GLASS to pay beyond
their contracts the premium on gold
at the datc Of their purchase, and
would bring bankruptcy and ruin to
thousands. Fluctuations, however. Ia
the paper value Of tho measure of all
values-gold, 10 detrimental to tho
interests Of trade. 1t makes tho mar.
of business ap involuntary gambler,
for in all cases where future pay mont
is to be made, both tho parties spsou.
late rs to what will be the yalue Of