Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-31
FROM WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY, Jan. rs, 1866

FROM WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY, Jan. IS, 1862.
The story of the weeks work is brief' in
the Senate an able and interesting debate on
the proposition to cxpel Senator Bright of In
diana, who is in great danger from bad tenn
per, bad taste, and bad friends. All these, at
least: whether his offence is carelessness, or
a close alliance with treason, is the point in
dispute. lie commends TO JEFF. Davis a
friend" (Brigbt's friend, Of coutse,) who
proposes to furnish the rebel government with
improved arms. Had Bright provided the
improved arms, there could be no doubt in
mously What is the difference, morally,
between furnishing the rebels with the arms,
and furnishing them with information which
will secure the arms to them ; am not
Bright enough to see the difference. But
Bright did not furnish that information he
endorsed, and to that extent aided, the man
who did propose to introduce this improve
ment in rebel arms Bright aided and abet-
ted. That, think, is fair statement Of the
case. 1t is dangerous carelessness, if not
worse and we're the Senate composed Of such
men, the county would be ruined.
The House has been industrious and effect
ed very little 1t began seriously on one Of
the necessary works Of the session. the APP
preparation for legislative and departmental
expenses but out Of the very first item
sprang a smart skirmish, which ended in the
biggest congressional blunder l have any
knowledge Of The appropriation was for
compensation and mileage Of Senators, to take
effect after the 3Oth Of June next and, so
Gar as mileage is concerned, was itself blum
der, as all the mileage Of the Senators due to
March 3D., 1868. has already been paid out
Of the excess Of the last appropriation yet
TO this unnecessary appropriation for the Sem
ate for the nert session, was appended pro-
viso to pay the House mileage oo,--fve
months before the appropriation goes into et-
feet 1t was worthy Of an Irish parliament.
The chairman Of the Ways and Means drop
ped that bili--probably TO await the fate Of
the reirenchmeut bills, which, il passed will
call for a reduction in the appropriations. In
any event. it was well to wait little longer.
The week has been marked by more than the
usual amount Of general debate in committee
Of the whoe--on slavery mainly, with O touch
Of finance. Debate is progress, however it
must be had, aud out Of it, however discord-
ant, there must come harmony in action. The
Treasury note bill is set down for Tuesday,
and will probably be proceeded with unless
it shall be determined to give precedence to
the tax bill mot yet ready or to combine
both in one bill. Were the notes to be is
sued while any doubt exists Of the imposi-
tion of an adequate tax, the notes will be in
danger Of depreciation. That danger, hope,
viii be avoided Blairs condscation bill will
be called for.aue week from Tuesday next.
Mud has continued to abound here, to the
exclusion Of drills even-of course Of all
serious movements. Yesterday indeed, the
aif was sharp and the mud thckoned and
there were more movements Of artillery in
the streets than have been seen for month
but the night brought a fierce gale, with rain
and hail, adding more and more to the mud
This day has been fair--a promise, every
body hopes, for more like it, Were it not
for the glorious news from Kentucky, Wash
ington for the last week would have been as
Obvious Of battles as is the distinguished
chairman Senator Wade of the committee
on the conduct Of the war. What of tho
war: quoth l. "War war / have been