The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-11-29
LETTERS FROM THE CAPITAL.
MONTPELIER, November %, 1861.

The last struggling member even of the
Third House has left the vicinity of the capt.
tai, and the stiffness that succeeds is painful
because suggestive by contrast of the tumult
of few days ago.
7 The result of the legislation of the session
is on the whole unsatisfactory, and especially
in the face of the fact that no provision is
made for organizing state militia. A very
deficient organization would have been far
better than none; for however near perfec-
ton it might have been wrought by the con-
tinual clatter of the various conceits brought
to bear upon it, no one could hope that no
improvement in the plan could be made by
experience. And to lose this years expert
ence, when military matters are brought near
to every ones door, is to lose the golden OPP
portunity, though like Bassanio we were
constrained to choose the leaden casket.
The House bill was undoubtedly the best,
from some reasons that have hardly time to
iieHliou itle, Oul lile real tIOuuit WAS OoStl-
macy on the part of both Houses. The House
claims to be discharged from blame at the
last by the fact of its sending joint resolu-
ton into the Senate, postponing the time of
adjournment twenty-four hours. But by a
slight discrepancy in the clocks it did not
reach the Senate till two minutes after the
tin. liked upon for adjournment, and so in a
strictly legal view it had no power to recog-
nize the resolution. But the Senate were in
session and continued SO for several minutes
afterwards.
/ The fact is, no member of either House
can go home to his constituents with a clear
conscience except he did his utmost to pass
either Of the bills presented. This jealousy
between the two Houses had It's origin before
the middle of the session and in the military
committees of the two Houses. Of course it
had its direct effect on these bills since these
committees in the main originated them re-
spectiyely Y. The presiding officers, too, rub
bed the ears of the dogs by appointing ma
lorlty Of the committee of conference to recon
Gle the matter from these same standing
{ committees. You nigh: as well send Wen
dell Phillips and Wigfa!l to peace congress
as to make this choice.
Concerning the other matters which the
war has forced upon the legislature. such as
the raising. pay, and equipment of troops in
al contingencies, a very complete set of en-
actment> has been made. The only faul;
here is that there are several bills exactly
Identical, or Very nearl So which originated!
in different branches and were passed, many
Of them because not fully understood This
has caused much confusion in the ideas of
members and others who were obliged to
keep close watch of the movements Of both
Houses. and will be the source of similar Err
rors hereafter. But. Nlr Editor, let Your
readers know one thing as a fact. Though
disputed here by some,) that every soldier
enstinS in the service of Vermont. or III.
Tni,.d States wi,b ~. so,o,;,, a,yo.,.
corma,I.,-;, cl;of : ., r,o.,;,o 49,, o..,,
dollars extra from the STATE for tL,.. ,s,,...
unless sooner discharged
The arrangements are ample for the distri
button of money to soldiers families. and fo,
the transmission of any money the soldier,
NAV wish to set aside to he sent home
There is no charge and no risk to the sol
der, and the treasurer of the state is madt
the depository, and the deposi,or receives in
tereSt after SIX II think months. The "f.
nancial agent is thus dispensed with. and
think wisely, though there was necessit,
for the appointment when made.
Probably no session Of the Vermont l.uis
la.ure ry.r accomnIi she'd los, 1.o,;,cn., -,
military Of which | have s,ol ON u,3;.no,
been for This .x,,, hatch ,..,.
less several Of ,b, ;rncr,,r, m.asnr.s n.,;o,
failed wouIJ have Lenn succ....,I An 49,.
.;rso,,o,o," soho,,os f,I.l ,1,,:, -,
m, = fair hearing ,borgb ~, H.. -, ,.a.,.,.
in favor of ,ho low o+f.r.l ~, , r.
munds which m;noIe< b,nLr,,,c, u;,,, :,
solvsrcv md am IN do,h, nh,.ho. :, :. -,
mnrovemer, an n. nr.ssr, l,m o,o, ,;.h
o,, ,ho bo,,,,. oI,,.o N.r,,
ooodo1 :; -; I'm -, :,
s,n. H., e.. .;
him :, ,be uorse noo,or p... -, y:
''"' All