Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-30
6aatcbman 4 stair .1ounnal.
BY Il. P. WALTON.
MONTPELIER, JANUARY 80, 1868.
FROM WASHINGTON.
BY Z. P. WALTON.


ing that compensation is a sine qua non, for
the reason that the State constitution pro-
hibits emancipation by the Legislature with
out the consent Of their owners, or without
paying for them a full equivalent for Slaves so
emancipated.' The loyal people OF the State
have already lost millions Of dollars by the
rebellion, and need aid from the nation and
Mr.. II. argued that the free States we're in
part responsible for slavery, and ought there
fore to bear part Of tho burden Of cost
necessary to get rid Of it.
There was "scene" in the Senate Gen.
Meigs had been accused Of tresson--he re-
respectful to the Senate, but there was lit
Tie snap Of the martinez in it, and Senators
refused to hear the letter This is unfortu-
nate for the General. / have not a doubt Of
his loyalty | believe, too, that he has been
ambitious to discharge his duties faithfully /;
but JEFF. Davis was Meigs' friend in the lat
ter's quarrel with Floyd-so. however was
everybody else, Republican or Democrat, 10y
al OF disloyal; and, moreover, the labor Of
the Office has been immense--enough to re-
quire double force. All in all, il is not strange
that Moigs is distrusted and found fault with (;
but the Senate will not be unjust. He will
doubtless deny any purpose of offending the
Senate, aud put himself right as a gentleman
for he is gentleman, but sensitive one.
The senate yesterday found it necessary to
supply deficiency in the appropriation for
printing paper in the government printing
office, to the amour, of s2s3 900, and $50, 900
for increased work for the revenue, war and
navy. One office (Adjulant Generars) now
requires the printing Of a million blanks per
month | note this, not because Of any i'm
portance to the government, but to demon
stra,e the immense burden cast upon printers
everywhere by the great increase in the cost
of paper. The reader will see how terrible
it is for the government-S2s3, 900 for the
current year; nov let the reader remember
that it is proportionately just as terrible for
every printer in the country. Patrons, good
people all beg of you, have mercy on the
printer; be just, aye, be generous to him
lie calls for help, he duns those who owe
him-sorrowfully, reluctantly, but absolutely
because it is necessary. Don't be offended +;
don't deny your good will and your money,
when he needs both most. OF course mean
il you can pay, for well know that patrons
suffer as well printers. If you cannot pay,
show the mercy | ask ! will not complain
Of the man who cannot pay, nor add a penny
to his burdens. Another depression, but it
is for the good Of all concerned
The House yesterday refused to lay one of
the ship canal bills on the table, by strong
vote. 90 to 42 ; but subsequently, by a major
ity Of 10, laid it aside for the financial bill.
The debate on the latter ran into a defence Of
Secretary Chase, who had been unnecessarily
censured by Mr.. Gourey, Of Ohio and some
others-Repnbs. There Is not an abler, more
earnest, more pains-ta taking, or more patriotic
man in the government than is Secretary
Chase. He has vas; responsibilities his
best plans, the best plans OF any mortal man,
will present Objectionable points-will trench
upon vast interests but let it be remembered
that the country must be saved, even by great
sacrifices We all feel deeply for the soldiers,
and for the delay in paying them; but it is
wrong t. cast blame upon Secretary Chase.
Congress is quite as much responsible, but the
real difficulty is neither in the Secretary, nor
in Congress- the difficulty is getting the mon
ey, and getting it in time. But relief is at
hand it will come as speedily as the printing
presses can get out the treasury notes.
mean relief for the present For the future,
Congress must give the Secretary the best
possible means, and be must make the most
Of them. Probably the House will get to the
vote on the finance bill on Tuesday next.
have before me the annual report of the
Treasurer Of the United States.-F. f. Spin
ner, laborious and most excellent officer
1t is brief affair, but wonderful one. The
amount received for 1862 was more than 5S9
millons--paid 57s millions while in 1861
the payments were but fraction over 80 mil
] lions an increase OF business III one year
six fold. 1t does not follow that the erpensei
have been so increased, because this account
embraces mere transfers of money from one
point to another but it does show the in
crease of labor in the office. How has il
been done; BY working all hands, from
highest to lowest, three times the usual daily
hours working them eighteen hours day
Sundays and all and without adding mil
to their pay. These officers have sacrificed
their time, their strength, their health, with
out reward They must have relief; they
ought to be justly compensated the force
of the office must be increased. And ye
when these acts Of pure justice shall hav'
been done, in this and other departments lik'
it, how will party men complain of the Ad
ministration for increasing officers and ex
penses Let the people remember the reas
ons. Just here let me say that no officer il
the Treasury Department has labored NOR
severely, or suffered more severely from over
tas ked strength. than the Register, Mr. Chit
tenden, of Vermont. lie mustLesign, fear