New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

OF ARBITRATION
President Grants first Administration began
on March 4. 1869. with the following orsaniza-
ton:
Presidant-General Ulysses S. Grant of Illinois.
Vice observation-disclosures Colfax. of Indiana,
previously Speaker Of the House of Repre-
sentatives.
Secretary of State-Hamilton Fish. Of NewYork.
Secretary OF the Treasury-George S. Boutwell,.
of Massachusetts.
Secretary Of War-Wliam W. Beknap OF Iowa.
Secretary of the Navy-Georse Nj. Robson. of
NewJersey.
Secretary of the Interor-Jacob d. Cox Of Ohio.
Succeeded in 1870 by Columbus Deano. Of
Ohio, previously Representative in Congress
from that State
Attorney -General-E. lockwood Hoar. Of Mas
sachusetts. Succeeded in 1870 by Amos T.
Akerman. OF Georgia, and in 1871 by George
II. Williams. OF Oregon
Postmaster General-JOhn A. ]. Creswell. OF
Maryland.
President Grant was inaugurated on March !,
1869. He delivered brief address. firm, mod
crate and patriotic in tone. which greatly re-
leved the tension Of the public mind. He de-
clared that he would have policy TO recon-
mend. but none to enforce against the will of the
people. He pledged himself to enforce the laws
for the security of persons and property and
freedom Of religious opinion. He favored pay
ment Of the National debt in gold. "No ~epudia-
tor Of one farthing Of the public debt" said he.
Twill be trusted In public place" He asked
patient fOrbearance one toward another through
out the country. and the determined effort Of
every citizen to do lis part toward cenenting
the Union.
PRESERVING THE PUBLIC CREDIT.
The XLIst Congress met for it's first session
on March 4, 1869 Immediately after the ad-
journment sine die of its predecessor. 1t was
short session, lasting only until April %.
The first act Of this session one "to
strengthen the public credit" 1t soemnly
pledged the faith Of the United States to the
payment, in coin or its equivalent, both of the
public debt and interest thereon and of all the
obligations Of the United States not bearing in
terest except In such cases where it had been
expressly provided that payment should be made
in lawful money" Unable to rise above the
trammels Of party and inspired by hatred Of
the Union and Of Reconstruction. the Democrats
in Congress bitterly opposed this measure, which
had been made necessary by their own threats
Of population and an agitation originating with
them aiming at the payment Of the debt in
greenSacks, which were then at discount,
owing to the Treasury not having yet resumed
specie payments large part Of the public
debt was held abroad, at least $500, 100000 of
eminent to keep its faith and pay the debt in
gold would have been disastrous. The bill
passed by the House. March II. by 9S yeas (all
Republicans to Al nays az Republicans, mostly
from the South. 35 Democrats): and the Senate.
March IA, by AZ yeas (all Republicans) to ID
nays q Republicans mostly from the South. q
Democrats). This act, approved March IL. 1869.
was the first law signed by President Grant.
The Tenure Of Civil Office act was amended at
this session. so as to give President Grant the
power OF suspension during the recess OF Con-
gress. Approved April 3. 1869.
ALL EXCEPT FOUR STATES.
law was passed directing the President to
submit the constitutions OF Virginia. Texas and
Mississippi to vote of the people, who should.
at the same time. hold State elections with
view to readmission to the Union.
The second session OF the XLIst Congress be-
gan December 6, 1869. lasting until July Is. 1870
Its composition:
senate-Republicans So; Democrats. 10; va
Housc-James G. Blaine. of Maine lRep.).
Speaker; Republicans, 1i9; Democrats, Us; va
cancies %. Total, 237.
At the opening of the session Georgia, Mssis-
sippi, Texas and Virginia were the only States
not represented.
President Grants message to Congress was
clear. concise. temperate document. referring
to the progress made in reconstructing and tran
quilzing the South. and referring to the revolu-
ton in Georgia, by which over thirty negro MEM
bers had been driven out of the Legislature. he
recommended that the military Governor OF
Georgia be required to reconvene the original
members Of the Legislature OF that State. and
cause that body to be recognized. He favored
return to specie payments and refundng OF
the public bonds at Az per cent interest. they
then being held at from 3 to 8 per cent; and he