Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-03-18

put upon the ocean, as our great maratimC
resources will enable us to do, fleet capa
bic of successfully contending with the na
val power of France, or of any other nation
THE BUSINESS. BEFORE CoNoREss.-The Ma
tional Intelligencer copies the following letter
with the remark that il furnishes fair and in
telligent synopsis of the business before Con
gress.-Albany Journal.
Correspondence Of the Boston Patriot.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 90 1886.
Now that all apprehension of a war with
France is at end, and no disturbing cause ex-
lists in our foreign relations 10 affect material
ly the deliberations of Congress, it may seem
a fit time 10 give you view Of the measures
which have been or will be agitated in this
body during the present session.
|. Foremost among them and on the
very surface Of things, is the abolition ques-
ton. This comes up in three shapes: First,
in the presentation Of petitions respecting
slavery and the slave trade in the District
secondly, in bills, reported or to be reported
for the regulation of the mall and the exclu-
sion from it of incendiary publications. so
called and, lastly on the report to be made
ney's resolution.
2. Next is the lost fortifcaion bill, dis
cussed 10 the Senate on Mr. Benton's Tesolu-
tons, and in the House upon that ofMr. Ad-
ans. The debate in the Senate is at an end
but that in the House is not 1t waits its
turn. to be renewed when other business
shall give it place.
Both of these subjects are political and
partisan, more or less, in their bearings and
in the views taken of them by many of those
who have engaged in the debate.
3. Thirdly, the appropriation bills, which
open to discussion all the policy of the Gov
eminent, and all the interests of the country
foreign and domestic. Very large appropri
atoms, for the contingent possibility of war
were contemplated by the Administration a
few weeks ago: but all such ideas are now
abandoned and Congress will be divided
upon this subject into two sections, not dis
tributed precisely according to party lines,
one side desiring liberal peace appropriations
for the navy and for Qualifications, and the
other advocating rigorous and jealous cur
tailment of all such expenditures.
4. The Patronage bill This has pass
ed the Senate and is now in the House,
waiting to be committed. The tendency of
this bill is 10 diminish the power exerted by
the Executive through the means of appoint
mcnts to offices of profit under the Govern
ment Of the United States 1t will draw in
TO discussion all the measures and principles
Of the present Administration.
5. The Post Office bill, already reported
in the House. which provides for a complete
reorganization of the Post Office Depart
ment, and is measure Of great public i'm
portance.
6. Mr. Clsys bill for distributing the
proceeds of the public lands ratabIy among
the States, which has heretofore passed both
Houses, and been vetoed by the President,
aud is now once again under consideration
in the Senate.
z. The Ohio and Michigan Boundary.
which is IA subject upon which the States of
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, as well as the
Territory OF Michigan, are extremely sensi-
tive and upon which there will be prolonged |
and very earnest debate.
8 and 9. The admission of Michigan
and Arkansas into the Union. How much
discussion these two subjects will occasion
know not. They are, it is evident things
OF great consequence TO the whole country
Ii both enter the Union together, they will
maintain, as it is, the equal balance of the
slaveholdng and the non-slaveholding States
in the Senate.
TO- Various plans are in contemplation
for extending the Pension system, especially
one to embrace within it the widows of off.
GERS oil the Revolutionary Army, and anoth
er to give pensions to soldiers in the Wes
who served in the Indian wars consequent
on the Revolution.
IL, The Custom-House Regulation bill |
This subject is now in the hands of the
COMMITTEE on Commerce of the House
They contemplate thorough revision of
Inc whole system of compensation to the
omcers OF the customs providing fixed saa-
res III 'le place OF lees and requisites.
~. The Judiciary bill, which has passed
the Senate now for the second time, but has
not been acted upon in the House.
IL. Claims for French spoliation prior
10 looo Between two and three hundred
memorials on this subject have been refer.
red IN the House to the Committee on For
eIgn Affairs, who have the subject under
consideration What the issue will be |
cannot say.
IA and 10. The Land Office and Pa
tent Office. These branches of the public
7ryice require to be revised and extended
lngvill receive more or lessattenlion from
tirepresent Congress, with a view to i'm
provements in their organization.
But enough. Lmight augment this list
by the specification of many other things of