Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-25
rE1ntrhmnn & state Journal.
BYE.P. WALTON.
MONTPELIER. MARCH IS, 1864.
ATFAIRs in WASHINGTON.

bill, four for it, and all the other democrats
lodged. SO !, seems that most Of them are
still afraid to prevent even the extension OF
slavery to free territory.
The Washington correspondent Of the Gin
the Cincinnati Commercial says Mr.. Cola
mcr is the beat lawyer in the Senate, MI
Fossenden the best general debater and prac-
teal legislator. and MIR. Salisbury the best
booking man when sober. We think Mr..
Foot is the best looking man, always sober,
and the best presiding officer.
Geo. Thompson, the hero Of British anti
slavery men, has been invited to speak at
Washington city Vice President Hamlin
headed the invitation, and we observe in the
list Of subscribers the names Of Senator Foot
and representatives Morrill, and Baxter.
IuroRrANr INrERNAL REVENUE DEcrs-
ION The Commissioner Of Internal Reyen-
ne has made the following important decis-
ion: Holders Of United States securities will
be assessed for an income tax Of one and a
half per cent Where the interest upon such
securities is paid in gold, only the amount ac-
tually received is to be treated as derived from
them. If the gold is subsequently sold at a
premium the amount of profits thus realized
must be returned as income from business,
and the tax will DO three or Eve per cent, as
the case may be.
IL is said the Committee Of ways and
means will report additional taxes on whiskey
and tobacco. There has been great deal OF
uncalled for censure upon the committee. IL
will tax every thing at rate which the COM
mttee thinks will produce the most revenue.
The government needs that, and it is best for
the people to have that necessity met.
The Trib mes dispatch says a fuller and
more correct statement of the leading proyis-
ions Of the new revenue bill before the Com
mittee on Ways and Means is that tobacco is
taxed 25 per cent. ad valorem in the leaf and
40 cents per pound manufactured Petrole-
um 8 cents per gallon on crude and 10 cents
on refined, and distilled spirits one dollar a
gallon. Two Of the subcommittee are said
to be opposed TO a high tax on tobacco. One
of them is said to be obstinate in his faith
that tax OF 80 cents per gallon on spirits
will produce more revenue than a dollar a
gallon The bill may therefore possibly 60
before the House in reduced state. In ad-
diiion to the above it is proposed 70 tax in
struments and forms not heretofore reached,
such as letters patent, deeds for conveyance
Of personal property, copies Of instruments
and documents read in court, executions, pro-
cesses from Justice Courts, &c. There is no
tax on malt. Beer is taxed s so per bar
rel this includes lager.
In the Senate, March rs, the House bill to
provide for carrying mails to foreign ports
was called up by Mr.. Colamer Of VT, and
after amendments, was passed
Mr. Wilson Of Mass. called up the Senate
bill promoting enlistments, bis amendment as
substitute for the bill being in order. The
amendment provides for the freedom Of the
wives and children Of slave recruits in the
first section and the second section authori-
zes commissioners in the slave states, appoint
cd under an act Of Congress in 1868, to a.
ward to the loyal owners Of these wives and
children just compensation.
Wilson advocated his amendment at con-
siderable length, stating that the country
was in urgent need Of soldiers, and that it
was in vain to expect negroes to enlis, unless
their wives and children were to be provided
for.
Mossrs. Pomeroy Of Kansas, Sumner Of
Mass, Grimes Of Ia, Lane of Kansas, How
ard Of Mich, Fessenden OF Me-, favored the
bill and Messrs. Wilkinson Of MINI. Sher-
man Of o., and Carlile Of Va, spoke against
its immediate passage, claiming that what the
bill proposed to effect could only be done by
a constitutional amendment.
In the House, the bill reported from the
committee on public lands by Mr.. Julian Of
Ind, so extending the principles Of the home
stead law as to give confscated rebel lands to
persons in military and naval service, was ia
ken up and passed.
A bill was also passed providing for facil-
tating entries by soldiers under the home
stead law, by enabling them to take oath be-
fore military officers instead of before land Of
fcers.
The House then took up and considered a
proposition to pay Gales a. Seaton for GER
tain books. and it was laid upon the table by
II majority.
In the Senate, March 81 the enlistment
bill was further debated. In the House, the
Committee of ways and means was instructed
to inquire into the expediency of increasing
the tariff on low grade wool and the Com
mittee on lands as to the best mode of secur-
ing the benefit Of gold bearing lands to the
government. The West Point Academy bill,
increasing pay Of cadets to $40 per month,
and adding one cadet for each Congressional
district, was passed.
In the Senate, March %, bill was passed
authorizing the coinage Of cents weighing
AZ grains, composed Of 95 per cent Of cop
per and per cent. Of zinc or tin also Of
two cent pieces of the same metal. Mr. Sum
ner reported bill prohibiting the internal
state slave trade.
In the House, Winter Dsyis's bill to pro-
vide civil government in states that have been
in rebellion was considered. Mr.. Davis ad-
vocated the bill. He thought the President
proclamation nugatory, unless affirmed by the
courts, and his plan Of reconstruction imprac-
ticabe.
FAST DAY.--Gov. Smith has appointed
Thursday, April It'll. as day of Fasting and
Public Prayer.
The vote in New Hampshire was full to