Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-07
TELEGRAPH NEWS
FROM WASHINGTON.
CONGRESS.
SENATE.

CONGRESS.
co. SENATE. -...t.
In the Senate, to-day, the Chaplain opened
the session with the prayer, Consume the
smoke Of our darkness that VI may celebrate
Thy praise" &c.
The credentials of Senator English, of Con-
necticut, we're presented by bis colleague.
The Senate then took recess uutil lis
o'clock, when the Presidents message was re-
ceived and read.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The new Chaplain of the House, vested in
surplice aud stole, opened the House.
Mr.. Blaine, rising to question of privilege,
| said that 10 some remarks yesterday on the
| case of Mr.. Morey, be bad spoken of the prop
| ositlon of Mr.. Wood as dishonoriug the com
promise made last Congress. He had used the
word 'dishouoring' merely in the sense of
'nullifyirg."
Mr.. Lamar thought the explanation of the
entleman was abundaoty satisfactory.
The House then took up proposition to
distribute seats. The seat of Mr.. Stephen rs,
| of Georgia, was exempted from the distribu-
tion.
Gov. Walker was the first called of the Vir-
GINA delegation, and gracefully took the seat
lately occupied by Mr.. Niblack, of Indiana.
| After the seats We're chosen the Presid ent' 5
Message was read.
The House adjourned until Friday.
ALEXANDRIA MATTERS IN CONGRESS.
Delegations from Alexandria and Fairfax
county have been here and are urging upon
Speaker Kerr the appointment Of Gen. Hun
ton as member of the Committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia.
The following Aexandrians have been ap-
polluted TO offices under the House of Repre-
sentatives: Edgar Snowden, Assistant Post
master; George W. Rock, Messenger; Henry
Cook, Messenger.
The other appointments have been appor-
toned among the names presented by the
Democratic members from the different States
of the Union.
Hugh Latham, of Alexandria, has obtained
the contract for carrying the mail from the city
postofhoe to the House of Representatives.
Gen. Hunton made most active effort to
secure the appointment of Mr.. Chas. B. Ball.
OF Loudoun, as Assistant Postmaster of the
House OF Representatives but failed.
| THE PRESIDENT S MESSAGE
The Presidents message Was sent to Con-
gress at l:20 to-day
The President, after the usual congratula-
tons aud resume Of domestic affairs, opposes
iofatlon, and then touching upon Cuba, op-
poses either the present acknowledgment of
Cuban independence and the granting of bel
llgerent rights to the insurgents. He recon-
mends 40 present action, but suggests that
Spain should accept the former offer of the
United States as mediator between the two
parties 10 Cuba. He says that proper methods
Of securing the rights of American citizens in
Cuba have been agreed upon between the
American Minister at Madrid, but the text of
the agreement has not yet arrived 10 the Unit.
ed States
He thinks the Mexican Free z me serious
Injury to American commerce, and danger to
life and property 10 Texas.
He announces treaties with Belgium, the
Hawaiian Islands and Turkey.
He recommends court for the consdera-
ton of the claims of aliens against the y. S.
Government, and suggests al international
commission for the regulation of ocean teIe
graphs.
He advises change in the naturalization
laws, SO as to prevent fraudulent naturalization,
and the cancellation of naturalization certih-
Gates obtained by fraud. He urges law in re-
lation TO expatriation and the marriage of
American citizens abroad.
He urges Congress to take measures for re-
sumption of specie payments at the time now
fixed by law, on January l, 1876. lie recon-
mends repeal of the legal-tender capacity of
g7eenbacks after January l, 1878, and the re-
demption of S2,OOO,OOO per month of legal
tenders in 1865 bonds at long date. and the
restoration OF the duties on tea and coffee.
He urges, also, change in the payment
of Southern war claims which he contends are
nearly all fraudulent.
He thinks the Navy 10 an excellent condi-
ton for harbor defence: all the iron-clads hav-
irg been put 10 order, and ready to meet any
force likely to make an attack upon us.
He recommends liberal material aid to the
Centennial Exhibition, and that more national
importance be given to it.
| He urges more stringent legislation to punish
polygamy 10 Utah, and prohibiting the impor-
tation Of colored women from China.
He also urges a revision of the laws rea-
ing to mines and mining.
As this will be the last annual message he
would submit before the appointment of his
successor, be would recommend the establish
ment of public schools 10 the Union that 40