Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-04-03
by r. p. WALTON
FROM WASHINGTON
MONDAY, March 23
Bounty 10 Soldiers Correction.

boun'y 10 Ooidiers-C Correction,
There is a miaapprehension abroad in re-
spcct to the new acts Of Congress on bounties
to soldiers, which is occasioning unnecessary
expense. There are two acts. One relates
to bounties paid in advance, and provides for
the mode Of settling when the soldier has
been discharged, for mounds or disabilities in
CURED in he service, before his time expired
This gives nothing new to the soldier by way
Of bounty, but rather takes from him il be is
discharged for other cause than the above
The other act is in relation TO the Si00 boun-
~ due to men who enlisted for two or three
years, or during the war and Il provides
that when such mon have been discharged
before expiration Of term Of enlistment, on ac-
count Of 'gounds received in the service, they
shall be entitled to the bounty on the condi-
tions Of the act As to the latter act, claim
ants can perfect their proofs at their leisure.
as no payment can be made until s64 Con-
gress having failed to make an appropriation.
| have forwarded both acts for publication in
the Journal heretofore, and refer all concern
ed to them.
Books Books
have been surprized to find, among the
acts Of the late Congress, a joint resolution,
which requires the Secretary Of the Interior
to distribute among the members of that body,
all the books on hand which do not by law
belong to the public Libraries, or to members
Of previous Congresses. These are the re-
mains Of books published years ago. for the
use OF Congressmen and libraries. OF one
(State Papers) there are enough on hand to
give each member a set; but Of others, the
number is insufficient, and the Secretary is
in doubt how to execute the law, whether by
a division Of volumes, which would ruin all
the se;s, or division by sets as equally as
possible At the last session, | reported
resolution to supply the Library of The House
with one hundred sets Of the Annals and De-
bates OF Congress, for the use Of all future
Congresses, and not to be the property OF the
members. This was adopted but. after
TRADE from the ". Y Tribune, the House by
one majority rescnded that resolution
Doubtless the Tribune thought the House
obedient, yirtuous, aud economical but alas
for the final upshot of that matter 1t
seems that members wanted the books for
themselves, and not for public use The
Tribune is now denouncing them for that,
and with infinitely better reason than it had
for condemning the purchase Of books for
public use. l take the responsibility cheer
fully for the library propositions it was
well-designed, respectable and useful; but
fortunately am clear Of the vote yourself
a-ibrary resolution" The Tribune says
the books will be worth from $500 to $500
to each member. suspect this is too large
figure. In any event, the resolution is in
the worst possible form that it could have
been put. II distinction was to be made, it
ought to have been arranged with a full
knowledge Of the difficulties Of distribution,
and reservations should have been provided
TO meet future wants Of Libraries in new states.
The thing could not have been understood
10y either House, and think the Secretary
Of the Interior will have to assume a consd-
erable degree of discretion in the execution Of
this joint resolution
Lieutenant Graham.
Subsequent and care .ul examination Of the
body of Lieut.. Graham have satisfied both the
surgeons and friends of the deceased that he
did not commit suicide in short, that he
was murdered. 1t is supposed that the mur-
derer designed the room mate Of Graham for
his victim, as that gentleman had a large sum
Of money with him The affair is neverthe-
less very mysterious.
TUESDAY, March "a.