Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-02
WASHINGTON.
CONGRESS AGAIN IN SESSION.
The Sights and Scenes About the
Capitol.
President Arthur's Last Mess
age.
A Lengthy and Only Fairly Able
Document
BY the Last Republican Presi-
dent.

morning Win Spectators ANXIOUS 10 view the
proceedings attending the FIRST day session,
there was sn absence Of that crush of visit,
OTIS which usually charscterizes such occs
ions. Numerous floral designs ornsneuted
the desks Of fsvorIte members, and among
them handsome ship of State, of which
Mr. Cox, of New York, was the recipient
Animmense bed OF otchrysanrhAmums covered
the desk occupied by MIR Barbour, Of yir.
ginia. and q tasteful basket OF yariegated
flowers adorned the Speakers table. The
members INDUCED In the usual greetings,
exchanged congratulations on reelection
or condolences on defeat. Republicans
made good natured replies to equally good
natured chatting from the Democrats on the
result of the Presidential cOntest, and no
bitterness was manifested on either side
Promptly at noon the Speakers gavel call
ID the House to order. After prayer the
Speaker directed the clerk to cal the roll
Of the opening session
Roll call disclosed the presencd Of 222
members, and the clerk was directed TO in
form the Senate that the House was ready
70 proceed with business. At l:t0 the
Presidents message was received aud read.
senate.
The opening session of the Sen.
ate was preceded by lively half hour o.
handShaking and gossip between Senators
and their friends. Several desks of Sena
Tors were decorated with floral tributes sent
bn admirers. The mos; favored in this re-
spect being Senator o man who was the re-
cipent OF two enormous roosters and an
arm chair. the latter bearing the words,
Reserved for A p. G., 1851 Senator
Jones desk also bore rooster, while those
OF Senators Ingalls,, Maxey, Harris, Sabin,
/ Voorhees,, Camden, Conger aud Lsphsm
we're decorated with horSeshoes, stars and
baskets. The galleries were well filed
with strangers. Promptly at noon the Pres
| ident of the Senate called the body to order
and PRAYER was offered. On motion of Sen
Ztor Logan the Secretary was instructed TO
| inform the House that the Senate was ready
70 proceed with business. The Secre-
tary read the credentials Of William
T. Sheffield, appointed to fiji the vacancy
ca-sed. by the death Of Sens or Anthony.
| : be Senste then took recess for q halt
hour. Atl 80 the President smessa ge was
received and Immediately read.
The Message.
r, tie Congress gfthe United S'"'es:
Since the close Of your last session the
American people in the exercise OF then
! pfshest right Of suffrage have chosen theu
chef magistrate for the four years ensuing
| Whom Il i remembered that at no period IL
heir couutr, history has the long poht'ea
contest which custOmsrily ' precedes the ds.
| Of the nstiousl elscti"r-. been waged wit
greater fecvor and intensity, it is 1
subject OF general cOngratulatiOn tha
aterthe controversy at the polls was over, ant
rhi!e the slight prepondersnce BY which th'
issre had been determined was as yet un
ascertained, the public peace suffered nj
disturbance, but the people everywhere pa
| ien,ly and quietly awaited the result
Nothing could more strikingly illustrate tn
epper Of the American citizen, his love o
yrder and his loyalty to law. Nothing coull
sore signallv demonstrate the strength anC
wisdom Of political institutions. Eight year
uave passed since a controversy concerning
he result Of a national election sharpl.
,sl!ed the attention of COngresstO the neces
.i,y Of providing more precise and de6niu
regulations for counting the electoral vote
The Electoral Vote.
| It's of the greatest importance that thu
question be solved before conflicting claim
o the Presidency shall again distract tn
rouu,rv. and am persuaded that by th'
e0rle at large any Of the measures otrehe
| nus far propC sed would be preferred TO con
| inued inactiOn.
Our Foreign Relations
Our relations with all foreign powers con
r;npe TO be amicable With Belgium con
,er,ion has been signed whereby the scoP'
# present treaties has been so enlarged a.
70 secure to citizens OF elthel
| country within the jurisdiction o
he Oiker equal rights and privileges
in the ACQUISITION and alienation Of proper
y. A trade mark treaty has also been con
Guided.
The war between Chill and Peru is at 81
! ard For the arbitration OF the claims o
American cirizenS who, during ITS conunu
snce. suffered through the acts OF the Chi
Ian authorities, q convention will soon b
France and China.
The state of hostihtes between Francs
end China continues TO be an embsrrssslnS
tas,ure of our eastern relations. Ih'
Chinese Government has promptly sdjuste'
eDg naid the claims Of American citizens
wbose property was destroyed in the recen
lots AZ Canton. renew the recommends
Gon Of nv lsst annual message that IA
Canton indemnity funds be returned Il
China. .,
The true Interpretation ofthe recent treat
with that country PermiInPx the resticaol
| Of Chinese immig. .siion Is hEeiy 70 De sSsi'
| re subject Of your deliberations. It may D
.sriousiy questioned whether the ststat
res.sd AZ the last session does not viois1
| he treaty rights of certain Chinese VII
H., this country with return certificate
ysEd under the old law, and now seem Dc
hs-rsd from landing from lack Of certificate
| rsopired by the new. The recent purchase
by the United States of = large trading flee
heretofore under the Chinese flag has cor
siderably enhanced our commercial inpo'
tapce in the East. In view Of the large nun
bero vessels built or purchased oy America
ri,;zsps in other countries and exclusiEei
employed in legitnsts tr1thc .
tween foreign ports under tn
recognized protection Of our nag
!, night be well to provide an uniforr
, rule for their registration snd documents
tion. 50 that the bona fde property right
opr citizens thereto shall be full evidence
and property guarded pursuant to the advic
. of the Senate at the last session reco'
! pize the Gag Of the International J ssoci
! ,ion Of the Congo As that OF
, friendly government avoiding, IN :
! doing any prejudgneui OF eontil'
, | h territorial claims in that region. Subs
|. orep,ly in execution q the expressed Wi'
oS Congress sPpoin,ea . commercial sse'
fer the Congo baEh The importance