Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-02-17
PROM WNSlIINGTON.


without the formalty Of a reference, without
faising disputable questions, and without de-
bate. Thon Geo Marston of New Hampshire
was elected Doorkeepor, and Mr.. Lucas OF
Illinois Postmaster Of the House. These were
the nominees of the Republican caucus and
each was elected on the first ballot The
democracy yielded gracefully, and the keen.
est-sighted man has not yet discovered flaw,
nor the most delicate car heard single cretk
in our GLORIOUS Union"
The Post Office Blu IN the Senate. The Frank
ing Privilege.
The mail contractors will ~ concerned to
hear that the Senate is not at all disposed to
agree with the House in prompt action for the
relief of creditors TO the Post Office Depart
meht This is certainly remarkable, when it
is remembered that the Senate contains ma
jority Of supporters of the Administration,
while the House has a majority the other way.
will only remind the reader that the regular
appropriation bill was defeated last March by
Democratic Senator (Toombs), because the
House would not consent to amendments abol-
ishing the ranking privilege and increasing
the rates Of postage. The Democrats on the
Committee Of Finance in the Senate are now
endcavoring to foist like amendments into the
deficiency BILL although it must be palpabc
to every body that the effect will be to delay
still longer the payment of creditors who
have already been compelled to submit to
losses Of from six to twenty per cent on their
post office certificates. AS an independent
measure, a proposition to abolish utterly the
franking privilege will receive the support Of
many neutrality-suspicious. of majority in both
Houses 1t is not privilege to members
of Congress, but heavy tax upon the purses
and upon the personal labor Of every member
who is liberal to his constituents. Speeches
constitute by far the greatest number Of arti-
cles which pass free under Congressional
franks. The member is obliged to purchase
these by thousands-thcn to make lists Of
constituents to be supplied then to select
from the lists the names for a supposed to be
useful or dosirablc--and then to direct and
frank the speeches. The ranking privilege
thus becomes, first, privilege to incur ex-
pense second, TO incur AN immense amount
of drudgery, sometimes making clerk noccs-
sary and, finally, to create a great deal of
discomfort, because every body is not sup
piled. l repeat, therefore, that to the mem
bers who arc attentive to their constituents,
Thanking is not privilege, but a burden
Such members will be relieved by abolishing
the ranking privilege. But--do the people
desire aJoiiion or, woatd Il he for the public
interest
Joshua r. Giddings in Washington.
The venerable head of Father Giddings,"
towering above nearly every other head in the
crowd, was visible in the House few days
ago. He was warmly greeted by his friends,
who, by the way, are not limited to the Re-
publican side of the House. Mr. Giddings
was summoned to testify before the Senate
committee to investigate the Harpers Ferry
affair. He had nothing to do with that affair.
The committee Intercepted him on his prin-
ciples, and he gave them texts for sundry for
chile anti-slavery sermons.
Rutland Postmaster
1t is said that Mail Agent Hall ION the Rut-
land and Burlington Railroad) is to be the
Postmaster at Rutland, in place Of Mr.. Cain.
This is not a removal, think but Mr.. C.'s
commission is about to expire
COMMITTEES of the House
To-day the Speaker announced the Stand
ing Committees of the House. The post of
leader Of the House Chairman of the Commit
tee of Ways and Means was, of course, as
signed to John sherman. Mr. Grow is chair
man of the Committee on Territories Mr..
Corwin on Foreign Affairs Mr. Tappan on
Claims Mr.. Hickman on the Judiciary The
Vermont delegation were not disposed to en-
ter into any scramble for places, and asked
for nothing. The have received, without the
asking, generous share of honorable and la
borious positions. Mr. Morrill, is on two
Committees-Waysa and Means, and Expendi-
lures in the War Department; Mr., Royce on
Foreign Affairs; and Mr.. Walton on Claims.
and on Expenditures on the Public Buildings
Business by Vermont Members.
The Committees having been announced,
business is now in order. Mr. Morrill, has Civ
en- notice of three of his bills, which were in
trcduced inthe last Congress, to wit tariff
bill. bill to prohibit polygamy in the terri
tories, and the agricultural college bill
Mr.. Walton has presented the following
petitions
OF VIM. Mckenzie Nathan Whitman, and
c. w. Fuller, all desiring invalid pensions /;
referred to Committee on Invalid Pensions
OF w. ID. Crane and others, for post route
from Newport via Newport Centre to North
Troy referred to Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads
BY Mr.. Royce, bill for the relief of Geo.
r. Marsh
Prayer by a Hebrew Rabbi.
As a matter Of interest doubtless 10 every
reader, ! send a copy of the prayer, uttered in
the House on the LIST of February. by Rabbi
M j. Raphall of New York 1t is the first
prayer by Hebrew ever uttered in Congress.
Almighty and most mercifu God, we an
proaeh Thy presence this day 70 thank Thee
for Thy past mercies, and humbly 10 beseecb
Thee to continue and extend the same "a IN A.,