Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-03
From Washington.
SPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE GAZETTE.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec. 3.
SENATE

The Senate met at 10 o'clock, and without
waiting for the chaplain to pray, or the secre
tary to read the Journal, went Immediately into
Executive session.
At ll:2O. committee was appointed to IN
form the President and the House that The
Senate was ready to adjourn.
And at 1l:40, the extra session OF the Senate
called by the President on the 18th OF October
last, adjourned sine die.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House resumed its session of Saturday
at 10 O clock this morning, whom
Mr. Luttrell, of CAL, presented memorla
aud evidence 10 reference to tho sale OF certain
lands 10 California. known as Desert lands. and
contradicliog certain charges inplioallog the
Committee on Public lands which was referred.
A message from the Senate announcing the
passage of resolution for final adjournment
of the extra session at 1855 a. ID. this day. was
received and concurred 10.
A bill to permit farmers and producers to sell
one hundred dollars worth OF tobacco without
tax, was rejected, ayes 90, noes lO2.
A resolution nstlueting the Military Com
mittee to bring 10 bill authorizing the en-
ployment of two regiments of mounted Texas
rangers, to be commanded by regular army
was rejected by q rising vote.
A resolution that the President 10 refusing
the use of the army to support pretended gov.
crnments 10 Louisiana and South Carolina and
thereby secure self government 10 those States,
is entitled to the thanks of the American peo'
Die, was introduced by MIR. Knapp, Of ILL.,,
democrat.
Ths readicg of the resolution stirred up the
Radicals like the insertion of coal of fire into
hornets nest, ard though MIR. Garfield de
sired that direct vote should be had, AID the
resolution voted dowu,
/ Mr.. Conger feared tho result and insisted
upon motion to adjourn.
Mr.. Luttrell, Of CAL, said that the motion
was made to dodge the issue.
The vote on adjournment was then taken,
bat pending the call of the roll, the hour Tor
adjournment arrived and the speakers gayel
fell, and the speaker announced the closing CT
the first session of the 45th Congress.
SECOND SESSION on THE FORTY-FIFrH CON
GRESS.
SENATE.
At noon the Vice Presidents gavel fell, and
after prayer by Rev. DR.. Sunderland, the Chap.
lain,
The Vice President said:
The Senate is convened in regular session &C
cording to the constitution.
Mr.. Anthony. of R. l., introduced the follow
leg:
Resolved, That the secretary Of the Senate
inform the House of Representatives that the
with business.
Resolved. That committee Of two be ap-
pointed to Join with similar committee on the
part of the House Of Representatives, and to
wait upon the President of the United States
and inform him that Congress has assembled
and is ready to receive any communication he
may be pleased to make.
The Chair appointed Mr.. Anthony, Of K. L.,
and Mr.. Wbyte. of Md.
The hour of the daily meeting of the Senate
wss fixed at ]2 %.
MIR. Sargent moved that The Senate now
adjourn.
Mr.. Anthony hoped not. the President was
now in the Capitol, and very ehnrt recess
would be needed.
The Senate then took recess for half 40
hour.
The Senate reassembed at 1890, and The
Chair laid before the Senate certain reports of
the Secretary of War. &c.
A communication from the House of Repre-
sentatives announcing that they were ready 10
proceed to business was received.
At 1890 tho committee reported that the
President would communicate to the Senate q
message 10 writing Immediately.
Very soon the Presidents Secretary, MIR.
Rogers, brought
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
which was read:
The message opens with the usual thanks
a. .C,l oE al Ia
dant harvests, &c. There was. he says at some
time fear that the difficulties which beset the
government might prove TOO strong for It's ex
istence. but this fear has passed away, and
while there are differences of opinion as to the
means to secure unity, all are agreed that unity
can be secured. He defends his own methods
and saws that the withdrawal of the army from
action 10 reference to the local affairs of States
has proven most successful, and has shown the
devoted attachment of all the people of all the
States to home rule and to the National Union.
We may confidently expect, he says, that this
will continue. 1t may be proper to see tbatthe
oolored people are respected in their rights.and
he urges % the local authorities of the States
the absolute necessity of enforcing the law upon
all who may attempt to disturb these people.
This object is very dear to his heart. lie Gao
not, he thinks, be mistaken 10 supposing that
the question of the currency is first in impor.
lance. He adheres to the doctrines expressed
10 his letter of acceptance and his Inaugural
address and thinks that it is of primo impor.
lance that the current money of the couu.
try shall always be convertible into specie, and
this can be done only by tho resumption of
specie payments.
He goes into full statement of the results
of recent investigations into the commercial
value of silver. and thinks that there should be
no action tending to its disparagenent or de-.
probation. Whether the public debt be paid
in gold or silver is not matter of much i'm.
portauce compared with the importance Of Sc
curing it's refuuding at reduced rate of inter.
est. He thinks that any change in the oharac-
ter of the coin in which the public debt is ult-
mately to be paid would add to the present
rate Of interest at which it could be refunded.
He favors limited issue of silver dollars from
the mint, and recommends that in all 6nsrcisl
legislation Congress shall exempt the funded
debt heretofore issued from the operation of
any law which shall make dollar of less value
than the present gold dollar legal tender.
He favors the establishment and enforcement
Of reformed civil service system. and says be
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