The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-05
Opening Of the Second Session Of
the Forty-second Congress.
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How the Presidents Message and Re-
concentrations We're Received.
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The Russian Minister and the
President.
A Resolution Of Inquiry Into tae Suspen-
MON Of the Writ Of Habeas Corpus
in South Carolina.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE.
Butler and His Committee ON the
Revision Of Laws.
Retirement Of Attorney General
Akerman Decided Upon.

Akerman Decided Upon.
WARRINGTON, Dec. 4, 1871.
MeetinG Of Cousrcss- Reject OF tho Presidcnt's
Message and Recommendation.
The meeting Of Congress to-day had many re-
markable features, the great questions OF taxation
and Of political supremacy beng most prominent.
Although the readers Of the HERALD had been
already informed Of the principal points in the
Presidents Message and the leading names on the
House committees still there was great interest to
see the document ITSELF in the one case and the
list in the other. me effect OF the Message was
plainly felt both in and out OF Congress. 1t Is re-
garded In all circles tonight as strong Message.
Especially do the recommendations In regard
duction Of taxation give general satisfaction ana 1t s
thought may yet compel the retirement OF MIR.
Boutwell, from the CabtneS, Notwithstanding the
trimming course he adopts in his report. The pre-.
action was freely INDUCED during the last few
days that the President would not dare to set him.
self In such complete antag0nism to the well known
policy OF the Secretary Of the Treasury as was
indicated in the synopsis OF the Message printed in
the HERALD week ago. Now that he has done so,
however, everybody is ready to applaud, and all
recognize in his recommendations new departure
which cannot fail 10 prove successful. Another
point which ELECTS much comment Is the favor the
President gives to the general amnesty and the
treme moderation OF his tone regarding the Ku
Klux.
The Senate was as decorous as ever and oil the
great guns Sumner, Morton, Cameron, Wilson,
Sherman, Scott, Edmunds Anthony, Thurman
Fenton and C0nkline-were early at their places;
but there was no scene, and o little hand
shaking was the only evidence that this was
the first day OF the session. Or. Newman
RI nnlN
the example OF TammanY before the good
gtvef even OF Senates. The new Senator from Mis-
sissppi, Governor Alcorn was then sworn In. but
there was no chance for scene this, and so the
spectators turned in despair to the political ma
nGuvres which at once began to develop them
sclves-Frank Blairs movement upon the admin
istration on the Ku Kiux question: Senator Summers
well wern championship OF the negro race and his
taunt TO the Treasury Department In the speech
with which no introduced his bill substitute
pound interest notes for legal tenders, and Mr.. Ed
munds' bill 10 provide for civil service reform.
Blair indicated that ne was ready to night the ad-
minlstration on the Ku Kux Sumner enunciated
the specie payment views. which Of late have
so often appeared in the HERALD Edmunds
reminded the Senate that Andy Johnson was not
ret entirely forgotten and this was ALL There was.
Of course the little byplay OF receiving the customary
Message from the House Of Representatives. OF
end OF the avenue and receiving the Message from
the President Mr.. Gorham, the Secretary, read
mat document in q slow and measured voice, con.
summing nearly an hour In the task, and then every
body went home, content with the days WORK.
Senator Bairs resolution OF inquiry in relation to
the Presidents authority for suspendlng the writ
Of hAbeas corpus In South Carolina Is generally
garded as completely answered BY the Message,
and there Is disposition await the report Of the
Attorney General and Of the Joint Comm ttee to IN.
vestigate alleged southern outrages before passing
judgment on the Executive action.
There was some little remark on the Presidents
allusion 10 the question Of polygamy. and slight
disposition is manifested to crticlse the vigorous
tone which he adopted both in condemning the
Mormons and In praising the United States Courts
Of Utah. but the subject on which crit-
cism il most freely INDUCED ID In regard
10 Mr.. Catacazy until recently the Russian Minister
here the severity OF the Presidents words Is not
SO much dwelt upon as the questionable taste OF
mentioning the name OF the discarded Minister.
Many persons, among them many Senators ana
Representatives think or affect to think that any
allusiOn to the unfortunate quarrel was out of
place. But President washington himself set the
precedent In the case OF Mr. Genet, who was the
Minister Of the French republic, and, ike Mr..
Catacazy, had made himself repugnant to the adj.
ministration. Genets case however, was In every
way more Migrant than Mr. CatacaZy's. and II the
precedent proves anything it is contended 1t
ought to have been riQidly followed. President
washington did not speak OF the French Minister
by name, and 1t Is said by those who interest them
selves the subject that neither should President
Grant have mentioned the name OF the Russian
Minister. The reference to the quarrel IL godsend
among the g0ssips and diplomatic CIRCLES cspe-
caaly are happy over so fruitful theme.
The friends OF the administration are jubilant
They regard the Presidents Recommendations in
respect TO general amnesty as having completely
taken the wind out OF Greeley's sails; while MS
course In regard to civil service, 1t II claimed.
viii lay schurz on the SHELF But they are not
even content with these victories and believe tlat
the new taxation policy will deprive Sumner OF ell
the glory Of his specie payment resolution. II
not be denied, however. that the thrust OF the Mas
sacnusetts Senator at Secretary Boutwen In his
little speech to-day was exceedingly neat. His
taking occasion to say that the payment OF the ma
tional debt was feather in the cap OF the admns-
tration but that 1t was only feather, was sar-
casm which nothing but the extreme irankness VI
the message could have relieved. The prospect now
IL that We shall have low taxes and specie payments
IN very short time. Both wings OF the republican
party have suddenly taken advanced ground, and
on all questions OF finance and taxation all the
factions stand to-day where yesterday II would
nave been thought impossible 10 place Them Tnis
10 certainly great deal 10 accomplish on the hrst
DAY On session OF Congress- and everybody is hope
ful that Congress which assembled for political
purposes merely win achieve something useful II
me long intended conference oil the republican
''soreheads' now takes place, as everybody Is say
ing IL Is TO take place. 1t will be found that not even
george Wilkes, with all his genius for effect. can
Raivanze lie into The movement which Is intended
20 make Greeley or Trumbull President, instead OF
Grant. As part Of the wonderful success of this
day, which leaves parties as they were before. ana
yet completely changes their attitude before inc
country, the composition Of the new Committee OF
ways and Means Is important
some tine ago the HERALD SAID Mr.. Dawes wouJ