Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-06-04
FROM WASHINGTON.

ings of great war meeting in New York city,
He took occasion to make a few remarks in appro-
baton of them.
On motion of Mr.. Rusk, of Texas, the Senate
took up, amended, and finally passed. the bill es-
tabshlng post routes in Texas.
On motion o! Mr. Dix, Of New York, the Sen.
ate then took M the supplement to the bill, to
increase the officers of the army. The subject was,
however, laid aside, and the bill for extending ju-
rsdclion over Oregon taken up
Mr.. Benton took the floor. lie desired, he said,
new bill framed, corresponding with that of the
British, passed by them for the purpose of extend
ing the jurisdiction Of thot government over its
subjects in Oregon. He thought such a bill would
soon pass the Senate, and hoped that some one
would propose it.
The amendments offered by Mr. Atchison, as to
the officers under the bill, was the first thing in or
der
Mr.. Dix opposed the amendments, and Mr.. Atch-
ison supported them.
Mr.. Mangum spoke some minutes in favor of Civ
ing the offices to be filed under the bill, to those
already in the army, who had devoted long time
TO the service of He then proceeded to define
his position on The Oregon question. He has full
audience Of attentive listeners and is left speaking,
as this despatch closes.
HoUsE.-Mr Brinkerhof moved to suspend the
rules to allow him to offer a Joint resolution of
thanks to Gen. Taylor and the officers and men
under his command, for their recent brilliant oper
ations on the Rio Grande, and directing the Pres-
dent to give each soldier one months pay over and
above his present pay.
The motion to suspend was carried and the res
olution received.
Mr.. Winthrop asked if the official dispatches
from Gen. Taylor had been received. II not, the
House, he thought had better wait till the official
documents had come to band before acting in the
premises.
On motion the resolution was then referred to
the Committee of the Whole.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole, Mr. Hopkins in the chair and took up the
Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill 1t was
discussed by Messrs. King, Of Mass. Mckay, and
Holmes, of S. c., Ewing, of Tenn, Faran, of Ohio
Houston, of Ala, and others.
An amendment to provide fol the support of sick
and disabled seamen in the naval hospitals, was Of
fered.
The motion to make the appropriation $4,000 was
adopted.
The amendment is still under consideration. Mr.
Boyd has the floor, and is supporting it, and advo-
eating the establishment of Hospital at Paducah.
TUESDAY, May &c.
SENATE. The Committee on military affairs
instructed, on motion of Mr.. Pierce, to inquire into
the expcdiency of providing by law for the distri-
button of public property, captured in time Of war,
among the officers and soldiers engaged.
Mr. Bagby, on leave, introduced bill to cede to
the State of Alabama all public lands in that State
which may remain unsold on the LIST of Jan. next
Mr. Berrien made report accompanied by bill
in reference TO the article in treaty with SPAIN
of 1874, respecting prlvateers. The bill and re-
port ordered TO be printed
The hour OF having arrived, the Senate on mo-
ton of Mr.. Dix, proceeded to the special orders
and took up the bill supplemental to the act prov-
ding for the prosecution of the existing war with
Mexico.
The pending question being on the amendment
offered yesterday by Mr.. Atchson, requiring the
A1a,,. ol, A
der Generals, provided for in the first section as
soon as the war is over-Mr. Dix briefly opposed
the amendment act Of gross injustice, and
explained the necessity which exists for the in
crease in the number of Generals in consequence
Of the increase of the rank and file.
Mr. Morehead very briefly opposed the first Sec
ton as it stood, and unwilling to give the Pres
dent power to place citizens who have no SER
vice, over the heads Of officers who have devoted
a life time to it, and paid high tribute to General
Taylor, who, he said ,Tad acquired the soubriquet
of " Old Rough and Ready" for his recent brilliant
exploits.
If the increase should be authorized, he was for
directing the President to make the appointments
from among those who distinguished themselves in
the war, and not from citizens who might perhaps
be mere parzans, and totally unfit for the station.
Mr. Miller moved to amend by striking out the
amendment proposed by MIR Atchison, and insert
ing in lieu thereof a proyiso that the officers shall
be selected from the army-and supported his a
mendment in a very neat and appropriate speech.
Mr. Allen followed in opposition to the amend
ments. He considered that of Mr. Atchlson nexpe-
dent, and that of Mr.. Miller unconstitutional He
wished TO nationalize the army and leave it to the
President to appoint the officers.
Part of them doubtless would be taken from the
army and part from private life, that the people Of
all grades and callings might know and feel that
great appointments Of this kind were not beyond
their reach, and only to be given to particular or
favored class.
Mr.. Mangum took ground in favor of Mr.. Atch-
isons amendment, and said that should any militia
ry genius be displayed by the officers during tie
war, Government would take care that their talent
should not be lost to the country. lie did not per-
ceve the necessity for the proposed increase.
Mr.. Benton spoke in opposition to the amend
ment of his colleague. He was opposed to appoint
ing temporary generals, and pointed out the diff
culties winch would arise from it.
lie was in favor Of leaving the appointments in
the hands OF tile President not doubling that he
would select those who should distinguish them
selves in the field or show in other ways their mil
itary skill.
Mr. Johnson, Of Nd. moved to amend by except
ing from the provlso to discharge at the end of the
war, all those who might be selected from the line
OF the army, and made some remarks in support OF
his amendment
Mr. Cass advocated the bill, and opposed the a.
mendment offered by Mr. Atchison. He would not
OBJECT to an amendment to reduce the officers at
the end of the war to the number now in service,
which leaves 1t 10 the President to retain those Off
GERS whose services would best entitle them to it.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Niles, Al
len Critteuien, Simmons, and Webster, until near
A O'clock, when without acting upon any Of the a.
mendments, the Senate went into Executive ses-
sion and afterwards adjourned
The President has nominated General Taylor 10
the Senate, as brevet Major General as a reward
for his brilliant exploits on the Rio Grande The
nomination gives great satisfaction and was imme.
dia,ey confirmed in Executive session.
House. Mr. James b, Hunt, from the commit.
tee on public lands, reported back the bill from the
Senate, granting alternate sections of the public
domain TO aid in completion of certain works of in.
ternal improvement in the State of Michigan.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole, and took up the civil aud diplomatic appro
pration bill.