The New York herald., 1869-12-07
Credentials Of the Virginia Senators Submitted
by Secretary Fish.
A Crusade Against the Supreme
Court in the Senate.
Reception of the Presidents
Message in the Two Houses.
Proposed International Regulation of
Ocean Cables.

WASHINGTON, Dec 9, 1869.
Rcopenirs of Congress-Tho Presidents Mes
saGe--Senaforial Observation-Disclosures
with the Presidents Ailusiops TO Caba.
The meeting Of Congress to-day was marked by no
extraordinary features. In both houses the pro-
ceedings were confined almost strictly to the ordi-
nary routine OF business at the commencement OF a
session. and were 1t not for the presentation OF
President Grants first message for which everybody
here, and IN fact the whole country, was looking
with the greatest interest and anxiety, the reopen
ing to-day would have been fearlu.ly dull. The
galleries were crowded. but the floor whereon the
legislators were gathered in toleraby full mum.
bers was unproductive OF q solitary sensation
worth noticing. Senators and members greeted
each other warmly, cracked their jokes received The
congratulations OF their frieads, talked over past
and future events and then suosided waiting appa-
rently for the Presidents message or something else
TO turn up which would alord them the proper cue
ior action. In the Senate there was an assemblage
which made up in briuiancy what it lacked In num-
bers. The galleries we're wen died with the elite Of
the capital and the wives ana daughters OF The
'Doteni, grave and reverend seigrors.n The diplo-
matte box was graeed by Mr.. Thornton, the British
Minister; "A. Xeuophon BaetZzt, Secretary OF the
Turkish Legation; SeIor Fadua Fleury, OF the
Brazilian Legation: yonng Bodisco and few other
gentlemen. Mr. Thornton watched the proceed
llgs with good deal Of interest and
paid essential attention while the message was being
read. That part bearing upon our relations with
Great Britain and other European governments
caused MT. Thornton 10 lean forward as far as po
hteness would permit, in order not to lose word
OF IT, but whether Mr. Thornton felt disappointment
or satisfaction could not be gathered from his coun
tenance. Among Senators themselves the message
as a whole was received with satisfaction. They
spoke OF the document as very creotable to the
Executive in Its general treatment Of questions OF
public concern, though in regard to some
points they did not hesltate TO express
their dissent. The disposition to criacise was
manifested particularly in regard to his views
about Cuba and the financial question.
On the latter question n majority eyi-
IDENTIFY endorsed nm in the main, but there was
some disappointment Ielt that he did not make some
more satisfactory illusions aud suggestions respect
ing tho Cuban revolution. The aliusion to the Com
missioner Of Internal Revenue ana the raising OF hts
pay and position to STANDARD commensurate with
the onerous duties Of that oficia is known TO be
desire the part of the President TO elevate that
ofciai to Cabinet minister TIE Presidant believes
that the Internal Revenue Commissioner discharges
duties OF such high order, and that his Office
ts likely TO be needed for such protracted
perod-twenty or thirty years longer-that it
is only simple act Of justice to give him salary
which will be in some measure remuuerative IL re-
quires OF first class ability. one Of large views
and extensive business experience, and II such n
man is expected 10 give his whole attention
TO the office he ought 10 be paid for his services both
with substantial salary and Official nonor such as
would attach to member OF the Presidents Cabi-
net From what can be gathered IN conversation
with Senator'S and Representatives 1t is not likely
that this recommendation of the President viii re-
epiya fayarablq consideration. Last cageon an
effort was made to erect the Indian Bureau,
Land once, Agricultural Bureau and Pension
once into one large consolidated department., with
ats head in the Cabinet as an additional MEMBER
but 1t failed signay and II IL believed that Congress
VIII not look with an more favor upoa the PROPOSE
tion to make the Internal Revenue Commissioner
Cabinet officer. may add. also that Senator's gene
rally don't to endorse the proposed abrogatIon
OF the Civil Tenure act Their opposition seems not
TO spring so much from a desire TO continue their
immense control over the executive patronage as
from an aversion to 60 back as the saying Is, upon
their frequently recorded views. To abolish ciyil
tenue, they say, "wouid be 10 eat up our
own words and we don't feel disposed to
DO that President Grant need have no fear that we
viii embarrass him 10 the least but we think lie
may as well let civil tenure alone, at least for the
present" Senator Sumner ana ms friends consider
that tpe President In hts Message has endorsed the
Massachusetts statesmans views on the Alabama
claims, and they are Immensely delighted over IL.
Reception Of the Message In the House.
Views of Prominent Kcpresentati yes --Iss,sii-
cai Position en- RecoustFuciion--Yenufe OF
0Glce Bi,l-RepGh,icaus Disappointed.
At an eerly hour this morning the President was
IN his Office. with hts secretaries, again reviewing
his message. Before twelve O'Clock the document
was entirely ready, and the President himself
ntfAh ana
the two houses OF Congress. Shortly before one
O'Clock the JOINT Committee consisting OF Messrs.
Wilson and Thurman, on the part or the Senate.
and Messrs. Scheuck, Dawes ana Woodward
on the part Of the House OF Reuresen.
iatlves, reached the Executive Mansion
and were Immediately shown into the Presidents
ONCE. After they had formally announced the oh.
iect Of their visit both parties engaged IN a brief
conversation. The President observed that he had
been up until -four O'Clock TINS morning deib.
Grating upon the message 10 see whether he
had forgotten anything. Alter Ave minutes delay
the committee LEFT on their return TO the capitol.
As soon rs tne committee mad gone General Porter,
secre tary to the President left also for the Capitol
with The message and large number OF appoint
ments.
Tue message was received IN the House az quar-
tsrto two O'Clock. and was Immediately read by the
Cork, the reading occupying exactly three-quarters
OF an hour Az the members were not supplied
WIN printed copies, and as The great mass OF
them were entirely ignorant OF It's contents,
they gave the closest attention to the read.
ing h may be safely stated no Presidential
message mas been listened 70 vita so much interest
by the House Of Representatives for many years.
When that portion Of the document was reached
wmch recommends tnat an act be passed author.
iz'ns the governor Of Georgia 20 convene the mem
bers originally elected to the Legislature, requiring
each member 10 take the oath prescribed by
tne reconstruction acts and none TO be admitted
wno were ineligible under the third clause
oi the fourteenth amendment, some ono
on the moor said ''We that's radical enough,n and
immediately there was burst Of applause on the
republican side, followed by hlsses on the demo-
cranc side. The demonstration, which was Of a