The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-07
TErEGRApHIG NEWS.
--LATEST WASHINGTON NEWS.

LATEST WASHINGTON NEWS.
Scenes mt the Opening OF Session of
Congress Reconstruction
and Alabama-yirginia n M G rs
Likely to be i'm their Seats within g
Week-POrter Trying to Keep Them
Out and Undo Every thing-Sumner
Probably with Him, but His Move
will be Observation-Disclosures OF tho
Message.
Special telegram to tine Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, December s, 1863.
The opening scenes Of the meeting OF
Congress were to-day devoid Of interest.
There was some hustle and confusion; but
comparatively fewer strangers were present
than ever before on the occasion Of the con-
vening Of Congress. The audiences III the
galleries We're composed chiefly OF citizens
| Of Washington.
The message was listened to with much
interest, but with no special demonstration
save Il slight stir and murmur of applause
at the passage suggesting an act to convene
the Georgia Legislature, prohibiting MEM
bers ineligible under the fourteenth amend
ment from taking their seats.
There was some little excitement in the
House over the reference Of the credentials
of the Alabama members Of Congress to the
| Committee of Elections. As there were no
charges preferred against these members,
and no contestants of their seats appearing,
the proceeding was considered anomalous
and contrary to all precedent.
1 he of 10
members to the Reconstruction Committee
eXcites alarm amongst some who desire M
slant admission Of the State, but there Is
nothing ominouS in the movement. The
committee is charged with the case of Nir-
cinia with reference to her adoption Of
Republican State Constitution and the cleo
ton in proper manner of Governor, State
Legislature, &C., and whether in what she
has done she has complied with the recon-
struction acts; and they are instructed to
report bill for the admission Of the repre-
sentatives of Virginia should they decide the
case laYorably.
From the tenor of conversations with
well-informed persons there is not the least
doubt that the committee will report bill
for the admission Of the Virginia represen-
tatives in few days, and scarcely doubt
exists that senator's and representatives OF
| Virginia will be in their seats within
week or ten days. Both her senator's We're
to-day cordially received in the Senate, and
assurances were given by Messrs. Nor
rill, Trumbull, and others, that they shall
be admitted to seats within week.
There is q party here, however, making
an effort against the admission Of the Vlr-
ginia representatives elect. That traitor TO
the public peace and order Porter, of Rich
mopd, openly avows his determination to
oppose their admission, and to memorinllZe
Congress to quash the late election in the
State and remit the whole matter to new
election by the people, with the provision
that none who may be elected shall enter
upon the discharge of official duty who CAN
not take the ron-clad OATH He is the only
member Of the Virginia delegation who op-
poses her admission. All the others appear
confident that the Virginia members will be
in their seats in a few days.
Senator brakes bill, which substantially
proposes to set aside the act of Congress, Is
laughed at by many Of his own extreme
stripe. He will probably receive the support
of sumner and few others, fanatics who
place Congress above the Constitution but
his bill will be defeated. 1t not only de-
strovs the Constitution, but murders the
Kings English with equal ruthlessness.
The Presidents message is the principal
topic of conversation tonight. 1t meets
with the general approval of Republicans,
but is not entirely satisfactory to class OF
Radicals who wanted Virginia rejected.
Non-partisans and independent persons
fluid some glaring inconsistencies in the docu-
ment for example, the proposed action
as to Georgia, the argument that there Is no
dc facto government in Cuba, and the posi-.
ton az TO the Alabama claims treaty. On
the last point, while the President argues
that England must be held for conse'
qucntial damages for prematurely recoS
nizing the Southern Confcderacy, he con-
ccdcs all the British Government claims
when he says "this nation is its own Judge
when to accord the right Of belligerency.'
Many other inconsistencies are pointed
out. Their existence Is accounted for by
the alleged fact that the message was pre-
pared by several different parties. All IN
relation to foreign affairs, however, was
prepared By the Secretary Of State.
WALLACE.