New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-04
ALVEY INTEREST IN THE MESSAGE.


Jew IMPRESSIONS YET FROM CONGRESSMAN
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WAsUrNGroN Dee. 3.-The reading OF FresldehV
Haves's first annual message was listened TO to-day
with remarkable attention in both branches OF Con-
Gress.
In many respects il wac universally accepted IN i'd
vance as the most important State paper Of the last
decade The questions now agitatlng the country
and Of which the President must necessarily treat
m his message, though not new, have many Oh
Them assumed new phases, and by the force
of circumstances their wise solution has
hecome more important than at any time during
General Grants Administration. critical period
So been reached-when the Presidents opinions on
tbese important subjects have become of extraord-
nary interest for the opinions he now expresses lore
shadow the policy be viii probably pursue when the
fine comes for him to act. There was, therefore,
NO disposition on the part Of either House OF
Congress 10 adjourn to-day after the organization.
II has often happened of late years that one Dranch
OF the other of Congress has been unwilling on the
first dav Of the session to proong its sitting suff-
GENTLY to listen TO the Presidents message but TO-
dav there was an eagerness TO hear what President
HAYES had TO say, not only financial topics, but
also on the Southern question and On Civil Service
reform that would have kept Congress together sew
eral hours, had it been necessary.
There was no delay in the presentation Of the
message. The formaity of calling the roll Of the
House by States was on this occasion, simply for
1palitv. as the extra session Of Congress had adj
iourned only five minutes before the regular session
was called 10 order. This ceremony was observed
however and, with the appointment Of the Gus
tomarv committees 70 wait upon the Senate ana
presiden+. and inform them of the organization Of
the House, occupied about half-an-hour. Then,
after recess of ten minutes, Mr. Knott, who had
Ohio of the ~
60 wait upon the President appeared at
the bar Of the House. and informed that
body that the President would communicate with
II az once in writing. Mr Pruden, of the PTesi-
dents private secretaries. Immediately stepped
from behind the screen which hides the main en-
trance Of the hall with the message in his hand.
Behind him was q porter bending under tie weight
Of the Department reports and accompanying docu-
ments The Speaker at once broke the seals OF the
envelope which inclosed the message, and the
Clerk began its reading IN his clear but monotoucus
tones At the same time pamphlet copies Of the
message were distributed to al the members.
It is remarkable fact that at least threequarfers
If the representatives not only remained IN their
seats during the entire reading Of the long docu-
ment but followed it closely in the printed copies.
No such careful attention has been given to the read
ing Of any Executive document in many years.
In the Senate the same undivided attention was
given to the reading Of the message. Several Sena-
tors, with pens OF pencils, followed the printed
copies and marked upon the margins or ulderscored
passages which they desired 10 examine with more
care than 1t was possible devote to them that
time.
THE sOUTH-FINANCE.
The first part of the message, that treating Of the
Presidents Southern policy, seemed to excite I'M
usual attention in the Senate. The recent discus
treatment Of Southern ofT9i-s
both in open and secret session, especially IN the
latter made this portion Of the message much more
interesting to Senators than to Representatives.
Several Of them marked passages of it, and by their
eountenances and gestures evinced their approval
OF dsapproval of the contents often the latter The
Democrats Of the House seemed pleased wl,h this
portion Of the message, and have not hesitated,
since the adjournment of Congress, to express their
approval Of it.
But the most important portion Of the document
was that relating 10 financial questions. The Presi-
dents views on the policy of early resumption have
been well understood ever since his inauguration
While various reports have gained currency that he
favored silver imitation in one form or another,
nobody has ever accused him Of any wayering or
unsteadness IN his devotion 10 the policy Of early
resumption of specie payments HIS direct and en-
phat.c words on this subject therefore surprised
nobody. They do not please those who are opposed
s. the execution Of the Resumption Act; but they
were really gratifying to the earnest advocates of
hard money. The latter greatly pleased at the
bo'duess and decision with which the President
pressed his opinions Oh this subject.
On the silver question there had been more mys-
terry. 1t has been no secret for months that the
President has been inclined 20 accept the theories
o. the true bimetasts, that Is, Of those who believe
th' silver and gold ought both 20 be utilized III the
currency Of the country, but who DO not
believe m legislating that 90 cents worth
o. one OF the metals shall be legal
tender 70 pay a debt, which. when il was
contracted wac measured by 100 cents worth of the
other some unauthorized publications recently had
also led many persons 10 + r that the Presidents
treatment Of The silver question would De vague
and undecided; tina. he would refer to the several
propositions that have been made for remonetizing
silver enunciate some general principles. and leave
Tie country % infer what bis opinions are rather
then express them boz explicit and uumstakabe Ian
Kaee. But these passages OF the Presidents message
were anything stronger than those relating 10 the
resumption Of specie payments and the faces and
attitudes Of the leading advocates Of unlimited sl
yer Imitation they listened to these paragraphs Of
tie message, we're interesting study. General
Ewing who occupies seat well forward on the
Democratic side Of the House. list, ned with undi-
yided tcutiOn % the reading OK all the President
had % say, both 10 the resumption of specie
payments and on the silver question. By
gently upulsing any one who attempted 70 speak to
him, or TO divert his attention lie showed the inten-
SITS Of the interest be felt in the matter. When the