Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-12-31
TERMS
MON WASHINGTON.

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Business Of the Weeh-Adonrnmcm Orer.
Congress has been sufficiently industrious
the past week, but to little purpose The
truth is that while many members are anxious
for work. you will find most Of them voting
against adjournments, probably, it is more
than suspected that the Administration lea
dcrs wish nothing Of public interest touched
at present. They are not prepared for it. and
will not be until they think their points can
be carried. Save on the first day of the ses-
sion, when few members were prepared, the
door has not been opened for the introduction
Of new business. and the old, lying over from
the last session, has been kept back by special
orders. Thus, Friday last was private bill
day in the House. and many claimants doubt
less hoped that it would be their fortune to
obtain hearing: but large claim Of citizens
of Georgia and Alabama, for property de-
stroyed or used in the Creek Indian troubles
in 1896, was the special order for the day,
and occupied the whole of it without result
1t would. of course take tomorrow. if the
House were to sit; but as Congress adiourns
over to-day until the fourth of january. this
bill cannot be considered until fortnight
from tomorrow All Other private bills fol-
low in the wake of that. and can hardly be
reached before the middle Of the session. A
few, at best, can be acted upon at all. This
is outrageously unjust to honest claimants.
Public bills are in like condition, since the
bill pensoning the officers and soldiers in
= the war Of 1912 was made special order at
the last session, for an early day at the pres
. ent, and has, thus far. excluded everything
t else Fortunately, however, this is bill
5 universally interesting, and therefore will
l. write more in detail respecting it.
Pensions to the Soldiers Of the Warof 1912.
O For several days this bill has been debated
., in Committee of the Whole and various
amendments were made so as to include those
a engaged in various Indian wars, and the Mex
n lean war; since the war Of 1872, Those who
" are disposed to grant pensions to the soldiers
IF of the last war with Great Britain lall OF
f. whom have reached an age considerably be-
p yond that of the soldiers of the Revolution
+. when pensions were granted to them dis
ct covered that the bill had been so oyersloughed
is by these amendments that its passage would
m be impossible, and called a caucus on Tues
y day evening to devise some method of saving
the old soldiers. At this meeting it was
agreed to attempt to get the original bill out
.h of Committee, by cutting of its head-thus
. also cutting off all the amendments. The
effect of this would be to report the bin to
81, the House with a proposition to amend by
We striking out the title. The same majority
is that could SO report the bill could also non
concur in the amendment proposed by tn,
o.. committee, and then the original bill would
o stand before the House clear of all amend
II ments made in committee, but subject TO new
no amendments in the House. Accordingly OF
'' Wednesday the struggle began in committee
o., Mr. Marshall of Kentucky AN officer il
Ne the Mexican war, by howay, moved to strike
be GU, the enactng clause carried, 80 to 76.
NJ Nj Smith of Tennessee then moved tina
y" the committee rise and report agreed to.
~ The question was then put on ordering tn
ur previous question ordered 80 to 6S. Tn
tn question was put on concurring in the recon
to incubation to strike out the enacting clause
ayes 70, noes l27. After considerable Skin
4. miohing, Mr.. Fcnton Of n. Y. succeeded il
nc moving an amendment, to substitute for tn
1t bW another, giving back-pay to all invah
IL pensioners. c. pay from the date of disa
W. biity to the time their pensions commenced
liz Many of those friendly to pensions to tn
he soldiers of the last war with Great Britain
lot would have voted for this as an independcr
'ar proposition, but as substitute bill they vote
=. against it-being unwilling to vote addition,
4 pay to those who have already received mucl
be at the expense of the old soldiers who hav
loy received nothing. Mr.. Fentons amendmer
tue was rejected-ayes 9s, noes 100
,oJ Mr.. Savage Of Tenn then moved anothc
substitute for the bill. The original bill ga,