Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
MAY II, 1862

] House which, oil TINS week acts, rs the chief
in Importance; to wit, the bill prohibiting
slavery in all the territories, in being and to
be. The Senate committee has reported in
its favor, with an amendment adopting the
phraseology Of the bill to the corresponding
section of the ordinance of 1897; and this
will of course be concurred in. have to
add several other bills, (all growing out Of
the abolition of slavery in the district of Co.
lumbia) securing for the education Of color
cd children a portion of the taxes paid by
colorsd people, sweeping away the disabilities
imposed by the black laws" upon people
Of that class, and adapting the laws of the
District to the present condition Of things by
revision Of the code These were all Sem
ate bills, and the House concurred in them.
The war appropriation bill, Of more than four
hundred millions Of dollars, is another note
worthy act Of the House, although il was
taken, as a matter Of necessity and Of course,
with as much equanimity as would have been
an appropriation Of twenty-five cents for a
rope to hang rebel. BY the way, we shall
not need an appropriation Of that kind for one
judicial district at least for happen to know
that an ex-hangman of New York has tend
cred the use Of rope by which four pirates
have already been suspended. 1t was tend
cred specially for the elevation of JEFF Davis,
but will be treated as " legal tender" for
any Of his friends. Still further let me add
that the bill establishing an agricultural de-
partment Of the government, with a commits
sioner and chief clerk, has become a law. II
was objected (by Mr. Phelps Of Missouri
that a new cabinet minister will ultimately
grow out Of this measure which to me is
rather recommendation than otherwise. If
foreign relations, finance and commerce, the
army and navy, the judiciary and even the
post-ofiices mast be specially represented in
the cabinet, see no good reason why the
vast productive interests of the country, en-
braced in agriculture mines and manufac-
lures, should not have equal dignity and con-
sideration. Combined, these interests are
large enough 10 demand the watchful care Of
the ablest minister that can be found Agri-
culture has been incidental to the interior de-
the agricultural report, and many seeds Of
questionable value. For instance, one Of the
last importations Of the Buchanan administra-
ton imbraced thistles So that to the legacy
Of rebellion and war to eat up the substance
Of the people, it would have added a curse to
the land. The present administration has
burnt the pestiierous seeds and is in fai.
way Of crushing the rebellion But this is
depression. Mines, manufactures, and the in
,erests of productive labor Of all sorts have had
no attention except such as was incidental to
the revenue measures Of the treasury depart
ment so that in fac; the material interests
of the country have been subordinate TO eve
ry thing else. This, however, belongs APP
propriately to time of peace, and Congress
has doubtless done enough at present by a.
doping measure which was recommended
by Washington himself
The committees Of the respective houses
on cou6scation of the property Of rebels have
reported. The House committee has given
us substantially the two bills reported by Mr..
Bingham from tho judiciary committee,
though not recommended by that committee.
One bill declares a forfeiture OF slaves of reb-
els but it is silent as to how the facts Of
rebellion and ownership arc to be as ertain-
ed. The other provides for possession, con-
demuatiou and sale Of all property by pro-
proceedings IN rem, as in cases of prize or
seizures under the revenue laws-frst and at
once, Of all property Of certain classes Of
rebels, such as civil and military officers, and
aiders and abettors who own property in
loyal states and OF all other rebels after six
ty days. These bills are the order for the
coming week. OF course the debate will ex-
hibit repetition Of arguments already fami-
lar. The Senate committee has reported a
bill constructed materially Of Senator Cola
mer's proposition, with additions and multi
plicadons from propositions formerly made by
Senators Sherman and Wilson. Perhaps
should include Senator Trumbull, for | OBJ
serve one section in rem By the first
section, the punishment on conviction for trea-
son is death and Liberation Of slaves; or fine
and imprisonment, and liberation Of slaves.
By the second section, the punishment for in
citing setting on foot, assisting or engaging
IN any rebellion or msuTrection, is forfeiture Of
all personal property, Of life estate in real
property, and Of all slaves and to this it was
voted yesterday to add imprisonment. It
should be observed that this is treated as
crime distinct from treason and one not now
punishable unless the evidence shall be such
as to bring the offender within the penalty
Of treason. In treason all the property may
possibly be taken by fine, under this bill
while in the other case forfeiture is the effect
of conviction, and is limited to life estate
where real property is concerned The Con-
stitution provides that " no attainder of trea-
son shall work corruption of blood or for
fixture except during the life Of the person
attainted." 1t would seem from the debate
yesterday that the meaning of the Limitation
is not clear, aud that the committee had
avoided the difficulty by providing a fine,
which may or may MT f.Lo al a..