Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-05-14
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
WAsnINoroN. Movp,v. Nav an. /


ending June 80, lSI7, with sundry amendments,
which we're ordered to be printed
The revolutionary pension bill, for the year end
ing Both June, l547, which had passed the House
was read third time aud passed without amend.
nent, being the first appropriation bill which has
been passed this session.
The Senate then took up the bill for the relief
of John P Skinner and the legal representatives OF
Isaac Green, being the unfinished business OF Thurs
day
The parties for whose relief this bill provides
were the sureties Of pension agent, who failed
while in debt to the Government. The ground up.
OH which they ask for relief is that by the neglect
OF the Government to institute the proper proceed
ings at the time Of his failure, his property
rhced to other creditors. and they were compelled
to pay the debt,
Mr. Colquiu opposed the BILL upon the ground
that the object of the Government in exactng Sc
curlty was not only to prevent loss but TO obyate
the necessity OF bringing suits against delinquent
agents lie argued that ifthe sureies had at once
paid over the money to the Government upon the
bond, they might have ayailed themselves Of the
priority TO which the u. s. was entitled
Mr. Phelps gave a brief statement OF the facts,
and said that the sureties upon bond after paying
II, could not have the same remedy as the Govern
men against the principal Except in the case Of
custom house bonds which are specially provided
for by law, without an assignment Of the bond by
the u. States, aud that such assignment could
be made without special act OF Congress
Mr. Sevier said he had given some little time to
the examination Of this case, aud found that the
Government had brought suit, at the earliest day it
could, after being requested to do SO by the sure
tics. II did not appear to him that the claim could
be urged with any degree Of propriety upon the
ground Of neglect on the part of the Govern
uent
Mr. Phelps explained that it was necessary in
Vermont, where these parties resided, to issue an
attachment, as well as to bring suit, in order to
secure the priority Of the United States Had the
officers o(the Government laid an attachment as
they could have DONE the debt would have been
secured aud The sureties discharged from its pay
ment
Mr. McDufTe opposed the bill No indulgence
granted to the principal could release the sufetes
on bond, unless new contract was made.
MIR Davis supported the bill and hoped that the
Senate would be governed by the equity of the
case.
Mr. Haywood said that the Senate was all wrong
as to the facts of the case. The u. S. had not
only brought suit, but had issued an attachment
which, from mistake on the part ofihe officer who
served IT, with which the Government had nothing
TO do, was served a summons and not as an at
tachment. The same was before Congress in
1872 and the parties were then released from the
payment ofa balance on the judgment against
them. They then asked to be released from the
payment Of some IS 200 which they had paid up
on II, but Congress refused. This it is which they
ask for now Mr. II. went into an examination Of
the laws bearing upon the subject.
Ater some farther debate the bill was passed,
ayes D. noes 10.
The Senate then took up the bill to provide for
the adjustment Of suspended land claims in the
several states and territories
mo in tta ,iar atto tb
bill was postponed until tomorrow, and the Senate
adjourned
Many Senators are still absent, and there will not
be much business transacted this week
HOUSE.-The House was ihny attended, and
not much disposition was manifested to 90 earnest.
ly to work
The memorial from the blind for library, pre-
senied on Thursday, was referred TO select com.
miltee.
Mr. Adams offered resolution calling upon the
President to inform the House whether any soldier
or officer of the United States army in Texas has
been shot for deseriion, while attempting to
desert, and if 50, when and by whose order The
resolution was adopted
MIR Brockenbrough offered a resolution as to the
expediency of offering the timber and other resery
ed lands in Florida, in the same way that other
presumption lands are offered.
The House went into committee of the Whole
and took up the bill to provide for deficiencies in
the appropriations for the year ending 30th of June
1916 Alter short debate the committee found
itself without quorum, and rose and reported the
fact to the House
Alter short time spent in call of the House.
farther proceedings in the call we're dispensed with
and the House adjourned.-N y Com Adp
TUESDAY, May s.
In the Senate, the Judiciary Committee reported |
bill to extend the maritime jurisdiction of the |
Courts of the u s. over all the lakes and nayipable
waters Of the country
The consideration of the bill providing for the
adjustment OF all suspended presumption claims in
the several States and Territories, was resumed
and discussed by many of the Senator'S but was
not disposed Of
In the House, on motion Of Mr. Mckay. the con.
sderaton of the bill for supplying the deficiencies
in the appropriations for the fiscal wear ENDING
June 80, 1916, was resumed in Committee of the
Whole.
This bill had before passed the House, and was
sent back by the Senate with some amendments
Among the amendments was one of 81 800 for
the secret service fund. The Senate made the
amount $4,000. The Committee of Ways and
Means have increased it TO 81 500, while the esti-
mates of the Secretary of State were originally
: 900. The House agreed to the amount of
81 800
The sum of 500 900 was appropriated for the
pay and mileage of new Senators and Representa-
tiyes. Also, $780, 900 to carry into effect the pro-
visions OF recent treaty with Great Britain.
The House did not agree with all the amend.
ments, and the bill was sent back
communication from the Navy Department in
answer to call of the House for information in
reference to the Marine Corps and certain charges
against General Henderson, gave rise to some de-
bate and was finally referred 10 select committee
H.. IL