Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-05
FROM WASHINGTON.

We are sorry to learn that Mr. bovrjoy, o
Illinois. is dangerously sick at Washington
Congressional life, we fear, will be death sc
him. Physically and intellectually he is :
man of wonderful vigor, and he responds
quickly to warm impulses. For those very
reasons, however, he is not fit to be shut uf
in Congress halls and committee rooms.
Senator Wilson's bill to secure homesteads
to persons in the military service provides
that all lands, not included in the corporate
limits Of any city, town or village, against
which dccrees Of condemnation and sale shall
be rendered under the condscation law, and
all lands sold for direct taxes in insurrecton-
ary districts, slall be bid off to the secretary
Of the interior, and shall be deemed unap-
propriated public lands Of the United States,
and shall be subject TO entry under the pro-
visions Of the homestead law by any officer or
soldier who shall have served two years dur
ing e'prescnt rebellion, OF shall have been
discharged by reason Of wounds or disease
contracted in service, or by any person Of Al
rican descent rendering military service to the
United States. All the buildings and per-
manent improvements on such lands are to be
appraised, and the value thereof is to be paid
into the treasury within five years by the per
son entering the same and such value is TO
be lien on such lands and buildings in favor
OF the United States the laws Of the United
States relating to public lands are to be ex-
tended to these lands so far as applicable.
WAsHISGToN, Jan. 27.
| In the Senate. Mr.. Wilson reported back
the bill giving bounty to soldiers enlisted
| prior to May, 1861.
Mr.. Lane introduced bill providing for
the safe and speedy transmission Of money
/ from sold:ers to their families.
The House bill sppropriating money to pay
the Indian and other pensions for the fiscal
year ending the 30th of June 1865, was pass
| ed
| Mr.. Wilson called up the bill providing
| for enistments of colored troops.
/ An amendment of Mr.. Grimes was adopted
giving, instead Of two months pay, such sums
/ in bounty as the President shall order, not
exceeding 500.
Mr.. Powell's amendment TO strike out the
clause respecting families Of colored recruits
I was then discussed.
/ The debate on the expulsion Of Senator
I Davis was participated in by Messrs. Morrill,,
| Powell, Hale and others. Mr.. Hale argued
/ against it's passage.
/ The House resumed the consideration Of
bill amcnd4tory Of confscation act
Mr.. Smithers made a speech in favor of
| full confscation of estates Of rebels.
/ Mr.. Morrill, made a speech in favor of ter
Hfinating the reciprocity treaty with the Bri-
tish Provinces.
( Mr.. VIM. S. Allen Of Illinois, made speech
arguing that the President and his advisers
had been guilty of wilful deception as to the
conduct OF the war.
Mr. Arnold replied to Mr.. Allen, saying
I the latters speech served but TO prolong the
war, and referred to the resolution adopted
J at the Democratic Convention in Chicago last
/ June, opposing the carrying on OF the war.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 2S.
I In the Senate the Pension bill was taken
up and passed.
The resolution to expel Mr.. Davis wss TAX
en- up.
/ Mr.. Clark tho ight the Senate was bound
to accept Mr.. DAVIS disclaimer Of any inten-
/ tion Of exciting insurrection, and hoped Mr.
| Wilson's resolution would be withdrawn
Mr.. Foster would vote against expelling or
censurng Mr.. Davis but found grave fault
with Mr. Davis resolutions.
/ Messrs. Johnson. Howard and Fessenden
| followed.
Mr.. Wilson reiterated his love for free
speech. free press, free men, free country and
free world, and withdrew his expulsion resolu-
/ tion.
The bill to encourage enlistments was dis
cussed by Mr.. johnson.
Adjourned until Monday.
In the House general conversation took
1 place between various gentlemen with the
view Of coming to an agreement concerning
the consideration of the enrolment bill.
Mr.. Schenck said it was necessary that the
bill should be passed early, as we must be
| prepared to resist any desperate and wild at
/ tempt which the rebels might make against
us.
The House re-considered the vote by which
the bill was referred to the committee Of the
whole on the state Of the Union by vote Of
I 100 to "A
/ The bill then came before the House.
| On motion of Mr.. Schenck the further con-
sideration of the bill was postponed until
Monday.
I After debate on conHscation bill House
/ adjourned.