Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-05-06
From WASHINGTON


The House, on April 10Th. was the scene
Of unusual disorder. Brooks Of N. 7. imgot
to ue a gentleman, and suggested scandalou'
things in the treasury department, impeach-
ing both men and women. Thad. Stevens
was savage on Brooks, whereupon Dawes
declared that it was better TO investigate and
clear up these scandals, or fix them on the
guilty. than to leave them resting on our
friends. Stevens charged Dawes with open
ipg the door for these scandals, ard Dawes
for once was saucy-but he got over it, and
apoogized Both right from their point
of view Stevens in denouncing scandal got
up for mischief and Dawes IN demanding the
test Of investigation. Finally, Garfield
moved committee to investigate the charges
OF Blair and Brooks against the treasury de-
partner, but Ancona (democrat) objected.
Blair charged speculations in cotton to raise
an electioneering fund for the Pomeroy Pres
idential committee, and Brooks charged fas-
calty in Clark, superintendent for printing
currency, and " orgies" among the men and
women in that department. Clark is Brat
teboro' man and Democrat, in fact held
over from Pierce and Bucbsnan's administers
tions as engineer in the construction Of the
Treasury building
April 80, the Senate in committee OF The
whole on the currency bill fixed the tax or
national currency thus: l-2 Of one per cent
each half year on average amount Of citcula'
tion-l-4 Of per cent. each half year on av
erage amount Of deposits-and l-S Of pei
cent. each half year on average amount of cap
ital stock in excess Of u. S. bonds invested
this to be in lieu Of all other taxes, excep
that the market value Of stock may be taxed
for state or municipal purposes equal to othe
moneyed capital. and the real estate of nation
al currency banks equal to other real estate.
The House ordered an investigation into
the charges against the Treasury Department
rSec Chase undoubtedly desired this In
deed it is said he would have resigned had in
vestigation been refused. The House con
CURED in the amendment to the army bill e
qualizing the pay of colored troops, Mr.. Ste
vens supporting it very elcquently.
May 2, the Senate considered House bill
appropriatng s25,OOO.OO for one hundre'
day men, but could not vote for want OF
quorum. The House spent the day on mis-
celaneous business, and the evening on tn
reconstruction bill.
May 3, the Senate passed the twenty-five
million appropriation bill and finally adjourn
ed once more J for want Of quorum. Tn
trouble is that the Senate rule requires b
same number now for quorum az before tn
rebellion. A few Senators sick or absent pre-
vent a quorum.
In the II )use the military committee repor
ted bill increasing pay OF the army, puttinI
privates at $40 per month, eorporals Sls
sergesnts $40, orderly sergeants S24, serg'i
majors s26 and paymaster's clerks g 200
year, and the bill passed-ayes 1855, nays 0
The Senate proposition to restore the Navs
School to Annapolis was concurred in. ant
the reconstruction bill was further debated.
The Times Washington dispatch says
number Of Senators met in caucus yesterda
TO agree upon a united course in regard /,
the restoration Of +. p Blair to his command
in the army
They decided to support resolution re
fusing TO recognize Gen. Blair as a Major Gen
erSl in the military service, and 20 recommen,
his dismissal from sal service on the GROUND
that he holds his commission in violation o
law.