Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOLUME VIII.-NUMBER 1235. CHARLESTON, TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 7, 1869. SIX DOLLARS A YEAR. REPORTS EROX COLUMBIA. LEQI8LATIYB PROCEEDINGS. Tike Ashley Bridge Company-One Mil? lion for Leslie's Land Commission Postponement of the Election for As? sociate Justice-Higher Salaries to be given thc Judges-Thc State Con? stables not to Kn joy Immunity from Arrest, die., &c. fSPTCIAL TELEGRAM TO TUB NB WK.] COLOMBIA, December 6. ID the House, the bill to provide for the pay meat of the principal and In te reut of tbe bonds and stocks of tbe State in coin, which had been mode the special order, was discussed, but sub? sequently postponed to Wednesday. The bill to authorize the purchase of property and rights of the "Columbia Bridge Company, aad to grant aid in the construction of a free bridge over the Congaree River," was recom? mited. Tbe following notices of bills were given: By Simons, to provide a system of apprenticeship; hy Thomas, to recharter bridges in Cypress Swamp, connecting Charleston and Colleton Counties; by Whipper, providing for the right of way over the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. Bills were passed to reg?late the manner of Belling lands at public sale; to amend the law relative to the recording of mortgages and bills. The following received their first reading: To appropriate one million of dollars to buy land ; te authorize the levying of a special tax to build a courthouse at Beaufort; to authorize a creditor to sell certain evidences of indebtedness. The House refused to concur la the Senate amendment to go Into an election for Associate Justice en the gist of December. In the Senate the report of the committee on a bil to authorize the lease of certain land on Bd toto Island, and the report of thc Committee on the Judiciary on a bill to Incorporate the Ashley Bridge Company, were referred to the Committee an County Offices. A resolution (by Hayne) to authorize the Com? mittee on Incorporations to employ clerks was passed. A bili (try Corbin) to protect the rights of per? sons lawfully In possession of 'ands and tene? ments, and a bili (by Wlmbosh) to prevent official misconduct hy county officers, vere both passed. The bill to Incorporate the Claflln University was Inferred to the Committee on ?ublic Landa. A petition from thc Sisters or Our Lady of Mercy for incorporation was presented by Corbin and referred to the Committee on Incorpora? tions. The Judiciary Committee recommended that the salary of the Judges of the Supreme Court and .he Judges of the First Circuit be $5000. They also recommended that the bill to prevent the arrest of State constables do not pass. Coln gave notice that he would introduce a bill to protect the depositors of savings and trust com? panies, and secure the same by the Institution de? positing securities with the State Treasurer, the securities to be State bonds and stocks. Greene Introduced a bill, which received ita first reading, to make an appropriation for the per diem of the members, the salaries of thc officers, and other Incidental expenses. The Judiciary Committee reported upon sec? tion thirteen of a biU to revise, simplify and abridge the rules of practice, pleadings and forms of the oonrts of the State, recommending that four terms of tho Supreme Court be held every year-one In Charleston, one In Columbia, one la Sunter and one In Greenville. The argu? ment used In support of this recommendation states that as the new code will be new to the people of the State, lt ls therefore subject to various constructions la the Circuit Courts, and as Ute Supreme Court roust eventually de? termine all questions In order to have a uniformity of practico throughout the State, it should be more accessible to the people. These questions will arise in both large and small eases, and the court should be eonvealent to hear ali appeals at as little expense ai possible. lt should be the policy of the gov? ernment to bring the conrts near to the people, and to make justice oheap os possible. Becansc of the expense, many cases are not brought be? fore tte feu preme Court at Columbia, especially those near the seacoast and in the western sec? tions. TO get a Charleston case to Columbia would cost from $500 to $1000, while from Colum? bia and the adjoining counties, from $100 to $300. The litigants from Charleston can alone afford to pay the salaries of thc judges. ? THU STATE LEGISLATURE. - MORE TRICKS OP TRADE. A Ohanoo for Whitcwashers-Tho Land Commission - Balls and Legislative Halla-War Coming -The Insurance Com pani ci' Bill at High Pressure. [PROM OVB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Coi.UMB:A"Deccmber 4. A LOST OPPORTUNITY. It IM generally known that there are a great many reports In circulation regarding the oper. allons of the Land Commission, and any op? portunity for quieting them and giving tho Land Commission a glossing over, vulgarly called a "whitewashing," shook] not be lost by those interested-but it was. Ic tho House, yesterday, Burrel James, colored, introduced a concurrent resolution, reading as follows : Tyhereos, Al the regular session of the I/'K ielnturc of 1868 Cn appropriation of two hun? dred thonsind dollars in the bonds of thc State was marie tor the purchase of the lands In tbe Mate, in order that the poor and land? less might, have the same placed within their reach; and whereas, it ls necessary that this Legislature, In ord?r to know what further legislation is required on this subject, should thoroughly understand thc workings and know what has buen accomplished by said board; be lt, therefore. Resolv?d, by tho Mouse of Representatives, the 8enate concurring. That Hie Board of Land Commissioners be requested to report, for the information of this body, first, how much land has boen purchased; second, at what cost; third, on what conditions; fourth, how disposed Of; ?Tth, where wich lands are situated; ?ixth, what was the CJJL of the ros? -ctive traen. Th? resolution was adopted without much debate, and s;-nt into the Senate and read. Leslie, who l3 the chief cook of the charitable Institution referred to, 6aid the law required him to make a report nnuunlly. The bonds referred to were not executed by the advisory boagri unlil the middle of September, and not one doliar or one cent v as la his hands for tho purchase oflands until nearly thc first of ( tor. Since then about forty thousand a have buen purchased. He was not prep to report then, nor was the advisory board fact, thc board had nothing to do with it; if the resolution was concurred in and to thc board, they would most probably re lt with thc statement that it was their business. He would move that resolution bc laid over for two weeks, by w time he would be ready to report. On mc of Jillson, it was ordered that the Land C missioner be instructed to report on or be the first ol January. If a few of the sena had not been so anxious about letting Land Commissioner have his own way, resolution would have been sent to the ad ory board, the result of which, most probs would have been a whitewashing rer. which would have forever set at re9t UH port in circulation among envious Radica and have accomplished that, doubtless, rr to bo desired cud, much better than the n elaborate report from the Land Commissk himself. WORK FOR A I.I. TO DO. A resolution, offered by .Hilson a few d ago, relative to the attaches of the Sen with a view ol decreasing the number, referred to thc Finance Committee, which ported yesterday that there were sevent j in all-one chief clerk, one assistant clerk, reading clerk, one clerk to the Committee the Judiciary, one scrgeant-at-arm9, two d keepers, three messengers, two porters seven pages. Thc committee being of opinion that thi3 number is "necessary the proper oare of thc Senate and attentio the Benators," recommend that they be ret ed, making thc recommendation from the 1 of there being a larger Senate house t heretofore, and also the addition of commii rooms, which require attention. In all th are but four additional attaches to the ni ber employed at thc last session. Thc rei will be considered Monday. LACK OF PUBLIC SPIRIT. Th? Code of Procedure which Corbin, Mi gomery and Whipper, after a year's sett! hatched ont, is, as Corbin remarked, a "fc bear to the Senate." It makes a very la volume, and the senators are not anxious wade through the various readings, ame menta, substitutes, Ac, which are necess before it bc made a law. Corbin has draw np in the form of a "bill to revise, simplify i abridge thc rules, practice, pleadings c forms of the courts of thlB State," aud on W nesday stated that lt seemed tobe imposai to get thc members to take it np duriug regular hours, and moved that night sessii be held to specially consider it, commend Thursday night. Thc motion was carr! unanimously. Thursday night came. Lei gave a ball. There was not a quorum in i Senate chamber at tho hour appointed, a the Sergeant-at-Arms was instructed to lc np the absentees, and bring them into Senate. He looked for them everywhere, cepting at C?e place where he could find thee at Leslie's ball-consequently the few who r to attend to their duty had to. adjourn with? accomplishing anything. Yesterday, wi the hour to adjourn for the day arrived, Jol son, colored, moved to adjourn until Mond This brought Corbin to his feet. He si he had one or two foolish ideas in his bei and ono of them was that the senators w< sent to the Legislature to work, but he regr ted to seo a disposition on thc part of some shirk their duty, aud he would give notice tl unies? the senators were more regular in tb attendance, ho would move to adopt soi measure to punish them. Thc delinquci "looked down in the mouth," and the looks all betokened that they would be more put tua! hereafter, and would even attend nig sessions, whereat Corbin's faoe wore a ve complacent look. The hour for thc night si sion arrived, but unfortunately for tiie mei hers the circus was In town, and it having mo attractions than thc discussion of a "code they went to see the Bawdust actors, leavli Corbin again without a quorum. "TUB CHICOS HAS ARROVR." Robinson's Circus ls hore. It had a grai street procession yesterday, and arrived ne: the Statehonso just as thc members were sen lng thcnse?voa and Inc Speaker getting rcac to call them to order. Just at this point, D Large walked In and said: "Mr. Speaker, tl circus has arrove." The music of the bar being distinctly heard, thus proving the trill of thc assflcrtion, thc members almost in mass arose and went to thc lobby windows I get a good view of tho "magnificent display rnospKCTS uv WAU. At the hom- ol writing there appears to bc slight prospect of war between the Senate an House-tile casus MU being Richardson's Ri j ports, a certain number of copies of which ll) Senate authorized the Governor to purchase The House did not concur in thc resolutio authorizing the publication, which aroused th ire of tho Senate, and, on motion, a cotnmitte of conference was appointed to meet a simlla committee from the House, aud ascertain th "cause why" of such disagreement; where upon the House, in a note, respectfully in formed the honorable Senate that in answer t the message from that honorable body, rc questing the appointment of a committee c conference In reference to Senate concurren resolution to authorize the Governor to pur chase certain copk'B of Richardson's Reports it would respectfully request io bc informe, whether that honorable body insists upon Uti adoption of said resolution by this body, a thl3 House docs not yet officially know wheth cr or not there 1B any disagreement betweet tho two Houses. The reading of thc above in the Senate, yes terday, occasioned a slight sensation, and nu m?rous remarks were made, which, however ceased when, on motion of Corbin, it waa rc solved that a message be sent to the House In forming that body that the Senate Insists upon the concurrent resolution to authorize thc Governor to purchase- certain copies of Rich? ardson's Law and Equity Reportp, havo ap? pointed a ooramittec ol' conference, and oaks the appointment of a similar committee on thc part of the House of Representativos. I What effect this message has hud upon tho Housu has nut transpired, jut lmportanl 6teps are on foot, and lu a few days a war ol' words may be declared. The senators, with Corbin and Montgomery at their head, patiently await the resuit. The Members knowlHg thal they have a good Confederate soldier al their head, who first 11 wont back" upon tile United Slater flag for the Palmetto Hug. and then upon ibo Palmetto for the United Suites Hag, feel eon vinoed that they have a leader who will stand by and stick to them, and do not fear the re? sult; tnt are u little uneasy about their large baggage train of offices, fearing that Corbiu, by a fl ink movement, will get possession of the wl;o!e ol' them, and thus weaken their in? fluence und increase lils in a corresponding ratio. DBLATKO ELECTION. Thero ia considerable manoeuvring among the friends of both Judge OTT and Whipper. Thc fr!*, nd* once fernier aro endeavoring to delay Hie election to fill thc vacancy or Supreme Bench, caused by the resignatk H?ge, and the friends of the lader to ha it. On yesterday a concurrent resolution fered by E. J. Cain, colored, to meet inj assembly on Monday, the GLh of Dcccmbe elect an Associate Justice of thc Strpr Court, was taken up in thc Ho and after considerable opposition i thc supporters of Judge Orr, it was, motion of Fcriter, amended so as to r "meet on Tuesday, the 7th,'' then adopted sent into the Senate. Hay ne, colored, at ( moved that it bc amended so as to read, "n on Tuesday, the 21st December," which accepted, and the resolution adopted. ' delays the election for two weeks, by wi time the friend ?> of Judge Orr will probabl; able to put him in nomination with some lu of success; as U is now he would make a i poor run against Whipper. THE NEW INSURANCE COMPANY. Wright, from thc Senate Committee on corporations, to whom was referred a bil incorporate thc Policy-holders' Life and 1 ! tine Assurance Company, reported yesterc and recommended that section 3, second pi graph, be amended to read as follows: "' board of trustees shall consist of not less t thirty-six persons, a majority of whom shal residents of Hie Sute of South Carolina, i not more .han one-half of those residing in State shall be residents ot the City of Char ton, and no one shall bc a trustee who is a policy-holder in the company,*' and that bill, so amended, do pass. It was ordered consideration to-day, but owing to the presj other business it was not taken un. INCORRECTLY NAMED. Frequently if happens thal a child befon is christened has some pe?name given it wh clings to it through life, despite th? bene of the christening. But we hope such will be the case with a bill which was pusl through the Senate to-day in a mannor wh gave thc spectators an idea that several r sons present were deeply interested in passage. It has been given the pet ?amo c "bill to better protect the holders of I nsurai policies in this State," when it phould really called a "bill to make a demand thc bonds and stock? of the Stn thereby increasing their value and giv an opportunity to the bondholders sell out at an advantage ;" and we trust t when the time comes to christen lt-maki an act-the senators will see that It is prone named. To let lt retain its present name v only be to habit it with very flimsy materia so flimsy that all thc movements of its bc may bc seen, so that none will be deceiv and make those upon whom thc bill was to palmed off as something to benefit them, oi despise the creators-even though they benefittcd by it. But to the bill and the manner il was hi ried through tho Senate. Yesterday Let asked and readily obtained leave lo introdn without previous notice, a "bill to better p tect holders of insurance policies of this Stat saying that it was a "matter important to t credit of the State and to every citizen ol t Stat"." The bill received its first reading, a was ordered to be printed for consid?r?t! to-day. It provides that no company or associai 1 which is now organized, or which may hereafter organized, in this State to carry the business ol' Insurance of any kind sh proceed further with business, or to businei (as thc case may be,) until they have depos ed with the Comptroller-General ot the Sui bonds or stocks ol'thc State equal to the sn ot lilly thousand dollars, par value, for ea life insurance company or association, ai twenty thousand dollars, pur value, for ea other instirunce company or association: th the Comptroller-General shall hold such bon or stocks as security for policy-holders in sa company or association; but as long as ai company or as.sociationsodeposillug shall co tluue solvent, he muy permit such company collect and receive the interest on the bom or slocks so deposited; that after such depos has been made il shall become h duty to furnish the association or corporatk wini a certificate ol such deposit, which ceri ficate, or duplicate thereof, ccrtitled by tl Comptroller-General, may be used In, and I evidence for and against Hie corporation in s suits; that it shall not be lawful for any perse or p mons, corporation or corporations, assi dallon or associations, to act within this Slat as agent or otherwise, in receiving or procu lng applications for insurance ol' any kind ( kinds, or in any manner to solicit any oue I insure, or in any manner to aid in transact)n the business of Insurance, ol'any kind or kind lor any company or association incorp?rale by or organizo J under the laws ol' lins or an olher Slate government, or any foreign gm eminent, until such company or associ: tion have deposited willi thu Coinptrollei General of this Slate, for the benefit ( the policy-holders of such company or ussr elation, citizens or residents ot' Ute Unite States, bonds or stocks nf this Slate equal t the Bum ol' tilly thousand dollars, par value for cash life insurance company or associa lion, and twenty thousand dollars, par valut for cadi other Insurance company or associa tion; but so long as any company or asso'.iii tion su depositing shah continue solvent, Hi Comptroller-General may permit such compon; or association to collect and receive the inter est on the bonds or stocks so deposited, am have appointed an attorney in this Stale oi whom process of law can bc served; und sah attorney shall have filed with the Comptroller Genend a certified copy of the charier ol' sail company or association, and also a CCItifiet copy ot the voto or resolution ol' ihc trustee) or directors of such company or assoclatlei appointiiiic him ibo attorney ol' such company which appointment shall continue unti another attorney be substituted, which shal be done upon thc death, removal or incapacity to act of snell attorney, or may be done by Buch company or association ni nny time; thal when the foregoing requirements, and such other requirements as ure now or may hero aller bo required hy law, shall have been com? plied willi, the Comptroller-General shall give a certificate to that effect, and also state thc natue of the attorney, which certificate, when tiled in tho county clerk's office of the County where tho agency is to be located, shall bo thc authority to commence business; that every violai ion ol' t.liis ?iel shall subject the compand? or association, or agent or agents, violating, jointly ?md severally, to a penalty ol five hun? dred dollars for cadi violation, which shu!) bo sued fur tmJ recovered in a Joint ur several civil aciion in thc name of Ute State of 8outh Carolina, oy the solicitor of the eir CUlt in wiiicli the company or association, or agent or ngenLs, sn violating, shall be situated. One-half ol such penally,' when recovered, shall be paid in.io thu county treasury of such county, and tho other half lo the informer of such violation; and in case of the non-payment of sue!) penally, tho person or persons so o: feUding shall bo liable to imprisonment for a period :ioL exceeding one year, in Hie discre? tion of the court having cognizance thereof; timi tho Comptroller-General shall safely und separately keep tho bonis or stocks of each company o.- association, and shall return the identical bonds or stocks received; ?md during Hut usual nineo hours shall keep I ho bunds or stocks subject to examination ol the represen? tative of any company or association having made a deposit, as required by this act, und the State shall bo responsible lor the return of ?ill of said bonds or stocks by the Comptroller General; (hat (his act shall lake effect iu sixty days after its passage. HOW LESLIE EXPOSES TDK PLAN. To-day, after considerable business was dis? posed of and the senators were desirous ol ad jnurning, Leslie moved that the bill bu taken up ?md referred to tho Committee on Judi? ciary : which motion wa3 carried, and tho bill KO referred, i. e., Corbin took possession of it The Senate was amused a short while in u dis? cussion upon soine unimportant measure, which Ca: bin Interrupted by rising and say? ing (hut the Committee on Judiciary tu whom was referred th-: blil "to better," Ac, luid Had tho *...\ie uuder consid?ration, cud rocom mended that it do pas?. On motion of Leslie, thc report of the committee wa.? tabled and the bill taken np for its second reading. The clerk pro? ceeded to read it through before reading it by sections, as was usual, but upon motion it waa decided to read it by sections at once, which was done, and each one adopted without dis? cussion, Jillson now and then, however, ex? pressing disgust at having the matter hurried through a8itwas. When it came to a vote upon the section attached to all bills, providing that all acts and pnrts of acts inconsistent or con? flicting with this act, Ac, Ac, be repealed, Jillson moved to strike lt out on thc ground that lt was useless. Corbin said he was willing, but Leslie ob? jected, saying that it was an attempt to defeat the bill. The bill had been carefully drawn up by the Attorney-General, and everything In lt mu6t, consequently, be correct; and if any sec? tion or clause were stricken out, lt might cause troulile hereafter. Jillson persisted in his motion, and further opposition being made by Lesli?, called for the yeas and nays upon his morion. This caused Leslie to become irritated, and, with a vexed tone of voice, said: "Why not defeat the bill at once. There is not a quorum present, and thc call of the House will show it. Do not persist In your call; lt will defeat the bill after it has nearly passed. This 1B a bill of the ut? most importance. There are now In New York three millions of State bonds held as collater? als for money borrowed at 65 per cent. If we pass this bill it will cause ft demand for the State bonds and stocks, and their value" - . Jillson intcrrunted the speaker, by saying: "This is to benefit the bond, instead of the policy-holders, is lt?'1 Nash, (colored,) who had been waiting for an opportunity to speak, took advantage ot this lull in the speaking, to say that he understood that there was not a quorum present, and he thought, it best to have a call of the House to ascertain if he had understood aright; whereupon Corbin (by whom Kimpton had been sitting from thc time the bill was brought up) remarked: "Oh, no, don't have a call ol'the House, wc haven't been officially informed that there ls uot a quorum; some say there isn't a quorum, and (with a smile,) 1 will say there Ls. Now don't have a call ot the House." Jillson Insisted upon his motion for a call being made, ami a vole was taken, which re? sulted in its defeat; blithe called for a division, witt the same result. When those who op posed the motion for a call were requested to stand up, Cain, colored, slowly arose, saying he dldnt think he understood the motion, to which Corbin remarked, "that makes no difference, so you stand up,* and he stood up. Finally, lt was voted that thc section should remain as lt was ordered, that the bill should be engrossed for Its third reading on Monday. By request of Jillson, his name was recorded as voting against the passage of the bill, as he objected to anything being "shoved through the Senate In such high pressure style." There are several Insurance companies re? presented here, and lt ls understood that they propose to light the bill when it goes to thc House. SPARTAN OL'KO AND CNION RA IT. HOAD. To-day, in thc Senate, general order No. 7 a concurrent resolution to appoint proxies to represent State stock In the Sparlanburg and Union Railroad Company-was taken up on motion of Hilvue, who also moved that In place of the names of E. S. J. Haync, Geo. W. H. Legg aud Alfred Tolleson. who were ap? pointed proxies lor thc Sparlanburg aud Union Railroad Company last, the names of W. IL Hoyt, W. E. Hose and Joseph Crews be sub? stituted. The motion was unanimously adopt? ed. TIII2 COLUMBIA CANAL. A bill entitled "An act to amend an act to authorise the salo of the Columbia Canal,'" was introduced In the Senate to-day by Swails, received its first reading, and was ordered to be printed for couslderalion Monday. It pro? vides that Governor Scott, Charles W. Wilder and Robert N. Lewis be constituted a com? mission to sell all right, title and Interest of tho State In the Columbia Canal upon condi? tion that tho purchaser or purchasers shall, within ten years alter the 1st ol' March, 1870, complele Hie widening and deepening of tho canal to at least twice its original capacity ; that lt shall always he kept open and in proper order for boating purposes, (free ol' all charges for toll or otherwise,) us far as the same ls now used; that the water shall not bo allowed to become stagnant, nor be used for other than hyJintilic purposes; that the widening and deepening shall bo com? menced on or before the said date, and the sum of iI0,0U0 shall be expended upon it with? in twelve months aller said date; that In case the conditions aro violated tho title of the canal shall revert to the State, and that the deed heretofore conveyed by the Slate shall bo deemed good und valid, provided the pur? chaser file with the Secretary ol State and the Clerk ol' the Court of Common Pleas his writ? ten assent to tho conditions expressed in this act. This bill Is, of course, the work of the agent of Spraguo. It looks like he Intended to com? mence work on that long-neglected canal. ANOTHER RADICAL PODGE. Mention haa been already made ot ii bill pro? viding for un extension ol'I he limits of tho City of Columbia. This extension wUl take in all of the Burbtirba whore there is u largo number of negroes, Hms giving them tho legal rightto vote in thc eily elections. Tho eily now has a small Democratic majority, and lt ls under? stood that the sole object ol' tho bill Is tu break down this majority by bringing Into tho city, by extending Its limits, a sufficient num? ber ol Radical voters. If rumor bo true, there will bo a bill introduced this session to ex? tend the city limits of Charleston-the Radicals hoping thereby to bring in (legally) n suffi? cient number, with the James' Islauders, Io de? feat the Democratic candidates at the coming municipal election. L. COI?ORE88. WASHINGTON, December o. Congress met lo-?ay. In thc House, Buckley aud linell, of Alabama, I were admitted. Shcward and Dock, of Alabama, approached the bar, but objection was made to their admission. A recess was tlicu taken to half past 2 o'clock. in thc Senate, Morton introduced a bill to re? construct Gcorgi.i. Tim petitions of the Virginia senators were presented, and laid ou tlie table. Cameron presented a petition for the recognition of Cuba, und spoke warmly in its favor. Drake presented a bili restraining the Federal Courts. In the House, a resolution was introduced by Farnsworth, or Illiuois, mr the immediate resto? ration of Virginia. After some skirmishing, the resolution was referred lo thc Reconstruction Committee. This action ls regarded as unfavor? able to Virginia. The cases or Sherwood and Uox were referred to the Committee o:i Elections. lu the Senate, Stewart Introduced a resolution providing for the removal or all political disabili? ties upon the ra ti il lotion of the Fifteenth amend? ment. A bill to enforce a republican form of govern? ment i:i Georgia was postponed lo Wednesday next. This bill raqttlret that Gc tr"'i:i shall ratify Hie Fifteenth amendmsot. Tuccloac of the court renders dc raiiihution of the amendment by Georgia necessary to its adoption. Tho part or the message urging additional ie;ru lotion for Georgia elicited applause, while that section urging the early admission of Virginia was read silently, and lt is apprehended Hutt Southern Conservatives 'nave been over sanguine. Secretary Itoutwcll'a views oro clearly adopted by th ; President's message, and a synopsis would bo a repetition. Several nominations were sent to Hie Sjiiate or those appointed during the recess. SPARKS PROM TUE WIRES. Thc first freighted vessel which passed through tho Suez Canal foundered in thc Red Sea. Two negro Aldermen were arrested lu Mont? gomery yesterday. Nothing definite is known of thc result of the Texas election*. Partial return* indicate the election or Clark, Radical, in the Talrd, and Haynes. Conservative, in tin Pmrth District. A dispatch from Austin says that Hamilton ls elected, and that thc Legislature will ratify lae Fifteenth um ulm nr. -Tim ' Black Croik" ls soon to bc rovlved at N'i'.ilo'.'. FROM TUE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Grant'? Views on tho Cuban Question Denounce:!-Opposition to Boutwell's Financial Schemes-The Vacancy on thc Supreme Bench. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TBE NEWS.] WASHINGTON. December fi. The Republican members generally denounce the sections of the President's message referring to Cuba. Secretary Boutwell's plan to create a 4>i per cent, fifteen year loan, to fund thc debt and to contract the currency at the rate of two millions per month, meets with universal opposition from Southern and Western members. There are indications that Judge Erskine, of Georgia, will be placed on the Supreme Bench, In? stead of Attorney-General Hoar. I FROM TUE ASSOCIATED PRESS.] WASHINGTON, December 0. A vigorous fight ls pending over the private claims, the contestants holding that a repudia tlon of these will give thc cue to repudiation of the national dcb'.. It ls stated on thc best authority that the Judge? ship of thc Fifth Circuit baa never been oniclally tendered to Judge Durant, who, therefore, has never declined thc position. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. WASHINGTON, December0. Thc President's message was delivered to both Houses of Congress to-day, and ls as fol? lows : Tv the Senate ana House of Representatives : In coming before you for the first time as the Chief Magistrate of a great nation, lt is with gratitude to the Giver of All Good for the many benefits wo enjoy. We aro blessed with peace at home, without entangling alliances abroad to forebode trouble, with a territory unsurpassed In fertility, and of area equal to the abundant sup? port of five hundred millions of people, abound? ing in every variety of useful mineral, In quantity sufllclent to supply the world for generations, with exuberant crops, with a variety of climate adapted to the production of every species of the earth's riches, suited to the habits, tastes and re? quirements of every living thing. We have a population of forty millions of free people speaking ono language. We have facilities for every mortal to acquire an education; our institutions closing to none the ave? nues to fame, or any blessing of fortune that may be coveted. Freedom of the pulpit, press and schools; a revenue flowing into the National Treasury beyond the requirements of the government. Happily, harmony is being rapidly restored within our owu borders. Man? ufactures, hitherto uuknowu In our country, are springing up lu all sections, producing a degree of national Independence unequalled by any other power. These blessings, ami countless others, arc entrusted to your care and minc for safe? keeping, for the brief period of our tenure ol ofllce. In a short time we must each of us return to the ranks of thc people who have conferred our honors, and account to them for our steward? ship. I earnestly desire that neither you nor I may bc condemned by a free and enlightened constituency, nor by our own consciences. RECONSTRUCTION. Emerging from a rebellion of gigantic magni? tude, aided, us it was, by thc sympathies and as? sistance of nations with which we were at peace, eleven States of the Union were, four years ano, left without legal State governments. A national debt had been contracted; American commerce was almost driven from the seas; thc Industry ot one-half of thc country had been taken from Hie control of thc capitalist, and placed where all labor right fully belongs-in the keeping or tho la? borer. Thc work of restoring State governments loyal to thc Union, of protecting and rostering free labor, of providing means for paying thc in? terest on the public debt, has received ?imple at? tention from Congress. Although your efforts has not met with success in all particu? lars that might have been desired, yet, on the whole, they have been moro successful than could have been reasonably anticipated. Seven States which passed ordinances of secession have been fully restored to their places In the Union; the eighth, Georgia, held an election at which she rat? ified her constitution, republican in form, elected a Governor, members o? Congress, a Stale Legis? lature, aud oilier officers required. The Governor was installed; thc Legislature met aud performed all Hie acta Uten required of them by tho Recon? struction acts of Congress. Subs?quent ly, how? ever, In violation of the constitution which they hail just ratified, as since decided by the Supreme Court of thc State, they unstated the colored members of thc Legislature, and ad mi: lcd to seals some members who tire disqualified by the t lird clause of thc Fourteenth amendment, an ar? ticle which they themselves had contributed to ratiry. Under thesa circumstances I would sub? mit to you whet ncr it would not be wise, without delay, to cuacta law authorizing the Governor of Georgia lo convene the members originally elected to thc Legislature, requiring cacti to take thc oath prescribed by tho Ilecoiistruction acts, and none to be admitted who are Ineligible nuder thc lliird clause of Hie Fourteenth amendment. The freedmen, under Hie protection which they have received, aro making rapid progress in learning, and no complaints arc heard of lack of Industry ou their part, when they receive fair re? muneration Tor their labor. Tile means provided for payiug thc Interest on thc public debt, with all oilier expenses of the government, aro moro than umplc. Loss of our cominero"! ls only the result of tho late rebellion, which bas not received sufficient attention from yon. To this subject 1 call your earnest atten? tion. I will noi now suggest plans by which this object may bo effected, but will, if necessary, make it tho subject ol' a special message, durlug tho session of Congress. VIRGINIA. At the Mareil term, Congress, by a joint resolu? tion, authorized thc Executive to order elections in thc States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas, to submit Hi; new eoiistltut.ous which each bau previously framed, and to submit the consti? tutions cither entire orin separate part?, to be voted upon at the discretion of the Executive. Under U:iJ authority tho elections wore called, lu Virgula Hie election took place on tho otb of July. Tito Governor ami Licotenant-Governor have been Installed. Thc Legislatura niel ami did ul! required by this resolution and by all the reconstruction acts of Congress, nnd abstained fruin all doubtful authority. I recommend that her senators and representatives be promptly ad? mitted to their seats, and that the Slate be fully restored to its place In tho family of Stales. MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS. Flections were called 11 Mississippi and Texas, to commence on the :?Ot!i November; two days in Mississippi and 'our days in Texas. Tin: elections lineo taken place, but thc result ls not known. Ula hoped that the acts of the Legislatures of these States, when they meet, will besuch BS to receive your approval, and thus dose tho work of reconstruction. Tl!? CURRENCY AND DEUT. Among tho evils ?rowing out of tho rebellion, and not yet- referred to. ls that of au Irredeemable currency, lt ls an evil which 1 hope will receive ymir most earnest attention. lt ls a duty, ami one of the highest duties of a government, to secure to the citizen a medium of exchange of fix? ed and unvarying valu?. This implies a return to a spcsle basis, and no substitute for lt can bc devised, lt shoal.! be commenced no v und reach? ed a*. Hts earliest practicable moment, consistent with a Hur regara lo me interests 01 mc u class. Immediate resumption, ii' practic would not bc desirable. It would compc debtor class to pa7 beyond their contradi premium on gold at the date of their pure and would bring bankruptcy and rnln to sands. Fluctuations, however, in the paper1 of the measure of all values-gold-Is detrim to thc Interest of trade, lt makes the ma business an involuntary gambler, for in all where future payment Is to be made, both pn speculate as to what will be the value o currency to be paid and received. I i cstly recommend to you, thou, such lcj tion as will insure a gradual return specie payments, and put an Immediate sti fluctuations In the vnluc of the currency, methods to secure the former of these result as numerous asspcculatois on political ccon< To secure thc latter I see but one way, and Lst to authorize Hie treasury to redeem Its paper at a fixed price, whenever presented, to withhold from circulation all currency s deemed until sold again for gold. The van sources of the nation, both developed and developed, ought to make our credit best on earth. With a less arden of t tion than the citizen bas endured for years past, the entire public debt could bc in ten years. But lt is not desirable that thc pie should be taxed to pay it in that time, by year thc ability to pay increases mar ratio, but thc burden of interest ought to b il need as rapidly as it can be without a viola of contract. The public debt is represente' great part by bonds having from five to twi and from ten to forty years to run, bearlui terest at the rate of six and five percent, rcs tivcly. It ls optional with the government to these bouda at any period after the ex] tion of thc least time mentioned upon t face. The time has already expired when a g part may bc taken up, and ls rapidly appro lng when all may be. It is believed that all w are l?ow due may bc replaced by bouds bear! rate of Interest not exceeding four and a hall cent., and as rapidly as the remainder bec due that they may be replaced In the same v To accomplish this, lt may be necessary tc thorlze tho Interest to be paid at cither Hire? four of the money centre? of Europe, or by assistant treasurer of thc United States, at option of the holder of the bonds. I suggest subject for the consideration of Congress, also simultaneously with this, the proprlet redeeming our currency, as before suggestei Its market value, at the time thc law goes effect. TAXATION. The subject of the tariff and Internal taxa will necessarily receive your attention. The r nues of thc country arc greater than its rcqi menta, and may with safety bc reduced; but thc funding of thc debt in a four and a four-i a-half per cent, loan would reduce the am current expenses largely, thus, after funding, tifylug a greater reduction of taxation than wt bc now expedient, I suggest the postponemen this question until thc next meeting of Congr It may be advisable to modify taxation and tarter in instances where nnjust or burdens! discriminations are made.by present laws; a general revision of thc laws regulating this t jed I recommend to be postponed for the presi I also suggest the renewal of the taxation of comes, but at a reduced rate, say three per ce and this tax to expire In three years. With funding of thc national debt, as hercsuggesi I feel safe In saying that taxes and revenue fi Imports may be reduced safely from sixty eighty millions per annum at once, and may still further reduced from year to year as thc sources of the country arc developed. WAYS AND MEANS. Thc report of the Secretary of the Treas shows thc receipts of the government for Uscal year ending 39th June to be $370,943,7 expenditures, including interest, bounties, <! to bc $331,490,607. The estimates for thc enau year are more favorable to thc government, i will, no doubt, show a much larger decrease thc public debt. Thc receipts in tlieTrcasi beyond the expenditures have exceeded amount necessary to place to the credit of sinking fund, as provided hy law. To lock up surplus in the Treasury and withhold it from i CU lotion would lead to sueti a contraction of currency as to cripple trade and seriously air thc prosperity of the country. Under these I cumstanccs, thc Secretary of the Treasury a myself heartily concurred in the propriety Using all thc surplus currency lu Hie Treasury thc purchase or government bonds, thus reduci tlic interest-bearing Indebtedness of the count and of submitting to Congress thc questi of thc disposition to bc made of thc bonds so p chased. Thc bonds now held by the Trcasr amount to $75,000,000, including those belongl lo the sinking fund. 1 recommend that I whole bc plf.ccd to the credit of thc sinking fur Your attention ls respectfully invited to t recommendations of the secretary of the Treosi for thc creation of the olllcc of Commissioner Customs and Revenue, and for the increase certain classes of officials, and the suljstltutl of increased national bank circulation to repla the outstanding three per cent, certificates, a most especially to his recommendation for thc : peal of the laws allowing a share of Unes, pen ties, forfeitures, Ac, to officers of thc govcrnmc or to informers. The ellice of Commissioner of Internal Rev nue is one of thc m ist arduous and responsll under the government. It falls Utile short of Cabinet position in its importance and respon Mittles. I would ask for lt, therefore, such legi talion as In your judgment will place the oOl upon a footing of dignity commensurate with i importance, and with thc character and the qm ideations of thc class of men required to lill properly. OITKKSSED NATIONALITIES. As the United Slates is Hie freest of all nation so, too, its people sympalhi/.c with all peopl struggling for liberty and self-government. Iii while BO sympathizing, lt Is due tn our honor tin wc should abstain from enforcing our views upc unwilling nations, und from taking an interesa part, without invitation, in quarrels between di feretit nations, or between governments and the subjects. Our course should always be lu coi fortuity with strict justice aud law, Intcrnallom and local. Such has been thc policy of thc at ministration in dealing with these questions, cuni. For more than a year, a valuable province c Spain, and anear neighbor of ours," lu whom al our people cannot but Icc! deep interest, hashed struggling for independence and freedom. Th people and Government of tho United states cu tcrtain the same warm feelings and sympathie for i lie people of Culta In their pouding struagli that they manifested throughout tho prcvloii: struggles lie: ween Spain and her former colonies in behalf of the latter. Rut Hie comest has at in lime assumed conditions which amount lo wai in the sense of international law, or which wonlt show Hie existence of a Oe facto political organ! zaiiun ol' insurgents, sufficient to justify a recog nilton of belligerency. The principle is main talncil, however, ihat this nation ls lis own judge when io accord rights of belligerency, cither toa people straggling to free themselves from a government they believe to he oppressive, or tu independent nations at war with each other. Tho United Stales has no disposition to interfere with Hie existing relations of Spain lo her colo? nial possessions on this continent. They believe that in due time Spain and other European powers will ilmi their interest in terminating those relations aud establishing their present de? pendencies as Independent powers. These depen denc cs are no longer n garded ne subject to trans? fer from one European power to mininer. When the pre-cut relation ni thc colonies ceases ihoy arc to become Independent powers, exercising Hie right of choice anti of self aontrol In thc determination of their future condition and relations vi Uh other power-?. The i nn i'd DUUCS, in ir.uer KI pui. u mup iu vivuuo? in Cuba, and in the interest of a neighboring pei pie, proposed its good oillces to bring the exis tin, contest to a termination. The offer not being ac cepted by Spain on the basia which we believe* could be received by Cuba, was withdrawn, lt i hoped that the good ofllces of the United State may yet prove advantageous for thesettlemen of this unhappy strife, lleauwhlle, a number ? illegal expeditions against Cuba have been brokei up. It bas been the endeavor of the administra tion to execute thc neutrality law, no matter ho* unpleasant the task, made so by the suffering w have endured from a lack of the like good faitl towards us by other nations. FOREIGN RELATIONS. On thc 28th of March last, the United Statei schooner "Lizzie Major" was arrested on th? high seas by a Spanish frigate, and two passen gers taken and carried prisoners : > Cuba. Re? presentations or these facta were made to th? Spanish Government as soon as tl e official infor? mation reached Washington. r lie two passen? gers were set at liberty, and thr Spanish Govern? ment assured the United staf s that the captain of the frigate in making thr capture had acted without law, that he had b .en reprimanded, and that the Spanish authorit .es In Cuba could nol sanction any act that < ould violate rights, 01 treat with disrespect t.ie sovereignty of thii nation. The question of the seizure or the brig "Mary Lowell," at Bahamas, by Spanish authori? ties, is now a subject ot correspondence between this government, Spai'i and Great Britain. The Captain-General of Cuba, about May last, Issued a proclamation authorizing the search ol vessels on thc high seas. Immediately, rem on strancewas made against this, whereupon thf Captain-General issued a new proclam ation limiting search to vessels of the United States, as authorized under the treaty or 1796. This proclamation, however, was immediately with? drawn. I have always reit umt the most intimate relations shonld be cultivated between the United States and the independent nations on this con? tinent. It may bc well worth considering, whether new treaties between the United S tatet and them may not be profitably entered in to, to secure more intimate relations, friendly, com? mercial and otherwise. The Interoceanic Canal to connect th At? lantic and Pacific oceans through the Ist Jinns of Darlen is one in which commerce is greatly interested. Instructions have been given te endeavor to obtain authority for a survey to de? termine the practicability of the undertaking. In order to comply with the agreement of the United States as to a mixed commission at Lima for the adjustment of claims, lt became necessa? ry to send a commissioner and secretary to Lima. nie good ofllces of the United States to bring abont peace between Spain and thc Sooth Ameri? ca republics, having been accepted by Spain, Peru and Chill, a Congress has been invited to be held in Washington during the present winter. A grant has been given to Europeans of an exclu? sive right of transit over the territory of Nicara? gua, to which Costa Rica has given its assent which it IE alleged conflicts with the vested rights of citizens of thc United States. The Department of State has now this sublect under consideration. TUK SPANISH GUNBOATS. The Minister of Peru having made representa? tions that there was a state of war between Per? and Spain, and that Spain was constructing, in and near New York, thirty gunboats, which might bc used by Spain to relieve the naval force at Cuba, aud to operate against Peru, orders were given to prevent their departure. No further steps having been taken by the representative of thc Peruvian Government to prevent the depar? ture of these vessels, and I, not feeling authorized to detain Gie property of a nation with which we are at peace on mere execntlve order, the matter was referred to the courts. The conduct of the war between tho allies and thc Republic of Paraguay has made intercourse with that couutry difficult, and lt bas been deem? ed advisable to withdraw our representative from there. TUE ALABAMA CLAIMS. Towards thc close of the last administration, a convention was signed at London for the settle? ment of outstanding claims between Great Bri? tain and the Uuited States, which failed to receive the advice aud consent of the Senate. Thc time and circumstances attending the negotiation of that treaty were unfavorable to its acceptance by the people of thc United States, and Its provisions were wholly Inadequate for a settlement of the grave wrongs sustained by this government, and the Injuries resulting to the United States by rea? son of thc course adopted by Great Britain during thc war-lu lucrcascd rates or insurance; in the diminution of exports and imports, and other obstructions to domestic Industry and pro? duction; In tts effect upon the foreign commerce or thc country; lu thc decrease and transfer to Great Britain of our commercial marine; in the prolongation of the war and the Increased cost, both in treasure and In lives, of Its suppression, could not be adjusted and satisfied as ordinary commercial claims which continually arise be? tween commercial nations. And yet the conven? tion treated them simply as such ordinary claims, from which they differ more widely In the gravity of their character than In the magnitude of their amount, great even as ls that difference. Not a word was found in thc treaty, and not an Infer? ence could bc drawn from lt, to remove the sense of the unfriendliness of the course of Great Britain in our struggle for existence, which had so deeply und universally Impressed itself upon the people of this country. Believing that a convention thus misconceived in its scope aud Inadequate in Its provisions, would not have produced the hearty and cordial settlement of pending questions which alone is consistent with the relations which I desire to have firmly established between the United States and Great Britain. I regarded the action iff the Senate in rejecting thc treaty to have been wisely taken in the Interest of pcace.and as a necessary step In the direction of a perfect and cordial friendship between the two countries.. A sensitive people, conscious of their power, are more at ease under a great wrong wholly una toned, than under the restraint or a settlement which satisfies neither their Ideas of justice nor their grave sense of the grievance they have sus? tained. The rejection of the treaty was followed by a state of public feeling on both shies, which I thought not favorable to an immediate attempt at renewed negotiations. I accordingly Instructed the minister or the United States to Croat Britain, and round that my views In this regard were shared by lur Majesty's ministers. 1 hope the time may soon arrive when thc two governments can approach (bcsolution of this momentous question willi an appreciation of what is duo to thc rights, dignity and honor of each, and with a determina? ting not only to remove tho causes of complaint in tho past, bot to lay tho foundation of a broad principle of puiillo law, which will prevent future differences and tend to finn ami continued peace au I friendship. This ls now the only grave ques Hon wlikh thc United States has with any foreign nation. Thc question of renewing thc treaty for recipro? cal trade between thc Lnitcd States and the Brit? ish provinces on this continent was not favorably considered. in conformity with this recommend ation of Congress, a proposition to abolish mixed courts for the suppression of the slave trade ls uudcr negotiation. THE FRENCH CABLE. It having come to my knowledge that a corpo porateCompany, organized under British laws, proposed to land upon the shores of the United Slates and to operate there a submarine cable, under a COU ce salon from tho Bmperor of the french or an exclusive right for twenty years of telegraphic communication between the shores ol France ami the United States, with thc vory objectionable feature of subjecting all mes? sages conveyed thereby to thc scrutiny and control of ta French Government, lt caused the French und British Legations [CONTO*CED ON FOl'ETIl PACE