Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-28

ed for reason of their conscientious scruplcs,
(as quakers, shakers and the like) to pay So
per year for such exemption.
The House bill was reported to the House
Committee on Military Affairs, and in many
respects it follows the provisions of the Com
piled Statutes on the subject of the Militia,
while in others, particularly as relates to or
ganization of companies, regiments, brigades,
&C., and the differing of these, il was adapted
to the present Army Regulations of the United
States. Aside from such volunteer companies
as may organize and uniform them selves, it
provides that all persons, usually liable to do
military duty shall be enrolled, and organ
lied into companies, regiments, brigades and
divisions; that they shall be called out for drill
the first Tuesday in June and one day in Sep
tember. No present provision is made for
orming and equipping them at this time as
that would be matter almost impossible. The
men are to appear on parade in citizens dress,
and are to be instructed in the "School of the
Soldier" with the exception of the manual of
arms. In short it is near an approach as pos
sible to the old "hood-wood" system.
The senate bill passed the Senate nearly
unanimously, and the House bill passed the
House by an equally decisive majority. The
latter bill was sent to the Senate, where an
amendment was proposed by striking out all
after the enacting clause and substituting there
for the Senate BILL In This proposal the House
refused to concur, the Senate insisted and asked
Committee of Conference on the part of the
House to meet similar one on the part of the
Senate, which was granted. The Committees
met Immediately after dinner on the last day of
the session directly after their appointment;
as was expected they could not agree, so the
Senate adhered and the bill was lost. The
House, Of course, refused the passage of the
Senate bill. AS near as can be ascertained the
House thought the Senate bill too expensive in
these hard times, when taxation is stretched to
tension, and the Senate believed the House bill
inefficient And thus ended all attempts to or
ganize the Militia.
A bill to incorporate the Essex County Rail-
road Company and another increasing the
salaries Of the State Treasurer and Auditor of
Accounts from $500 TO $1,000 pr annum each,
but which was subsequently amended TO 500
for the Auditor, both passed the House by
large majoritieS, but were laid out cold in the
Senate. Per contra; The Insolvency bill and,
a smaller edition of the same entitled. "An
"Act to regulate and equalize the appropria-
"ton of the property of insolvent debtors for
"the payment of their debts, and relating to
assignments" and bill to raise a company of
Artillery, all from the Senate, were defeated in
the House. the first two by votes of more than
three to one. Mr.. Balchs bill in regard to in
toxicating liquors, making all packages or
casks of any kind, rot properly Marked Soon
traband," and liable to seizure and destruction,
was dismissed by the House, 50 TO rs; the
vote on its passage would have shown greater
majority against it. Mr.. Thomas bill changin,
the name of the town of West Fai,lee TO
"Lyon," passed the House, as did bill pro-
vidng for District Schools in certain cases, but
they were excluded from the Senate under the
operation of the l4th Joint Rule.
The late Superintendent for rebuilding the
State House, Dr. Powers, was before the Leg
islature in both branches, asking for the sum
! of about $500, as the balance due him on ac-
count of his services as sal superintendent.
The act of last year provided for the payment
of $1,000 on condition that he should execute
to the State full release from all further obi
CATION, and accept that sum as payment in full
for all demands Such receipt was executed
and the money paid. The majority of both
the Senate and House Committees did not deem
it expedent or proper to go behind that adj
jnstment, and so reported against the applica-
ton. The bill did not pass in either House.
The whole number of bills introduced into
the House was about 240, and in the Senate,
about 10. Of these the number to be filed
away in the Clerks office as unfinished bust
ness is unusually saall-less than dozen all
told
In the Senate Mrs. Edmunds offered series
of Joint Resolutions relating to National AZ
fairs, which yet sumbnr in the House files.
Senator Wheeler offered n single one directing
the Governor to inform the President that YER
mont does not deem it the duty of her soldiers
to engage in the capture and return of fugitive
slaves, which passed both Houses. In the
House a series of Joint Resolutions upon the
subject of Slavery in general, were ordered to
lie, and there they lay.
The following Joint Resolutions, first offered
in the Senate by Mr.. Hubbard, passed both
Houses, as it was meet and proper that they
should, unanimously:
Uhereds, In consequence of the war In which the
country has been engaged for the last eight months
new, arduous, and peculiar duties have devolvcd upon
the executive, involving great responsibilities and cal
ling forth great administrative ability, therefore
Res0ired By me Senate and House Of Representatives
Of the State Of Vermont, That the thanks Of the two
Houses be presented to the Hon. Erlsus Fairbanks
late governor, for his efficient and praisewortly
efforts to raise, equip and uniform the six regiments
Of volunteers thar have been forwarded from this aac
TO the seat Of war
ResolUed, That we, as the representatives Of the
people, do most fully appreciate the difficulties which
beset the executive In the trying emergencies which
were incidental TO the Inauguration OF militia system
and war policy among people pre-ernncntly pence
flu, and 30 long favored by peace, rs TO induce the
opinion that we should learn more; and we feel
doubly grateful for the judgment which decided with
ont wavering from the path Of duty and the courage
which pursued it to success
Res0lred That best wishes for his welfare shall
follow him in his retirement To private life, where we
doubt not his prayers will minge with ours for the
success of our arms the establishment Of rational
thority over all our domain and the hasening of the
q 4 u.l..