South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-12-09
IEe- Conrre.s met on Monday last Nearly an The


Senators were present in their Chamber. re-
solution adopted calling for correspond ence
in regard 10 the war between France aud Frus-
sia. Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to terminate
the manufacture of currency, to strengthen the
national banks and TO promote the return to
specie payments Senators Cole and Csssery
introduced bills to abolish the income tax, and
Mr Cole bill to repeal the section Of the late
law lowering the duty on brandy and opium
also a joint resolution requiring that gold notes
and United States notes shall, after June 3Oth
1871, be taken at their face value for duties on
imports. Mr.. Kellogg introduced bill to re-
move all The political disabilities imposed by the
l4th amendment The Presidents message was
then announced and read, and after some other
minor business the Senate adjourned. In the
House, 10 members answered the rol-call The
credentials Of r. T. w. Duke, elected to ill the
vacancy in the 9th Virginia district, caused by
the death of Hon Robert Ridgeway, were pre-
scented. There considerable debate on the
motion TO admit Mr.. Duke, but he was finally
sworn in. The Presidents message and accom-
panying documents were received at about two
o'clock. The message was atteutively heard af-
ter which the House adjourned
PRESIDENT MEssAGE-After prefac-
ing that the past year has been one of
"peace and plenty" the President begins
his message by saying that cit is to be re-
gretted, however, that free exercise Of the
elective franchise has 10y violence and in.
tlmidation been denied to citizens, in ex-
ceptional cases, in several of the States late
ly in rebellion, and the verdict of the peo-
pie has been thereby reversed" 1t is to
be regretted that the President should have
felt it incumbent to make statement which
is obviously intended as an apology for the
Odious congressional election law, and Of
the precautionary measures" adopted by
the government at some Of the recent State
elections. We believe that the cases in
which the free exercise of the elective fran.
chise in any part Of the country was "by
violence or intimidation denied" were indeed
Exceptional" and for that reason we doubt
whether in any case "he verdict Of the
people was reversed thereby" Nor if we
recall the magnitude Of the Military pre-
pnrations in New York city, and the use
made of the marines in Philadelphia, does
IT appear that the Presidents upprehcn-
sioLs at the time Of the obstruction of the
elective franchise by violence or intimda-
tion were confined to "the States lately in
rebellion" We are glad to learn, by the
way, that Georgia, although not yet in the
Unionsas we supposed yesterday, speaking
from the best information we could obtain,
is expected back shortly after new year
Casting his eyes abroad, the President
briefly states the steps taken in conse-
quencc of the European war, both to insure
the neutrality of our own people, as we'll as
to maintain our cordial relations with both
of the belligerents, between whom the
President observes that this government
stands ready TO employ its good offices
whenever there is reason TO believe that by
their means the war can be shortened one
hour. 1t is highly probable that the war
will be closed without our mediation
The first topic upon which the message
enlarges to any extent is the Importance of
The acquisition of San Domingo, which is
urged with great earnestness and from a
variety Of points Of view. The same con-
sideratons and arguments formed the sta
pie last session of spccinl message upon
tho subject What the President asks for
now Is authority TO appointa commission to
negotiate for the acquisition of the whole
island.
In connection with foreign affairs, some
Mexican customs arrangements, extradition
treaties with the Central Amercnr States.
the Venezuelan claims, the Tien-Tsin mas
sacres the rectifcaiion of our boundary line
on the 44th parallel, the abolition Of the
mixed courts for the suppression Of the
slave trade, and the naturalization treaty
recently negotiated with Great Britain
come in each for n word Of mention The
fishery troubles arc next discussed more AT
length, and in manner which will make
this portion Of the message highly acceptable
TO Cape Cod The President lays the blame
upon "the scmi-indcpcndent but rresponsi.
ble agent known as the Dominion Of Can
ada, and asks for authority to suspend, by
proclamation, the transit Of goods, WIRES
and merchandise in bond across the terrific
~ Of The United States to Canada and, If
necessary, to exclude from the waters Of
The United States all Canadian vessels
Besides the uuucighborly acts towards our
fishermen complained Of, allusion is made TO
the unfriendly disposition manifested on
The part of Canada 10 the maintenance Of q
claim 20 exclude the citizens Of the United
States from the free navigation Of the St
Lawrence This, as our readers are aware.
is an old story having been the subject Of ne.
Rotiaiion between The govcrnmenls Of Great
Britain and The United States rs far back
as 1918, and earlier. 4 number Of diplo-
matte presidents are cited, together with
the immense increase Of population and
tonnage in the States which border on the
great lakes, 20 show the rcasonableness Of