Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-12-29

Dec. 20. In the Senate, bill for the pay
ment Of twenty-five thousand dollars to the
widow Of President Lincoln was passed.
bill was reported for removing the die
tinctions Of color from the elective franchise
in the District of Columbia.
A bill to maintain the freedom OF the in
habitants Of States lately in rebellion. was
taken up.
Mr.. Sumner said that when he thought of
what occurred in this chamber yesterday, 10
the attempt to whltewash the unhappy con-
dition of the rebel states he felt that he ought
to speak of nothing else to-day. He pro-
ceeded to speak Of the right Of Congress TO
pass the bill, and read a number of letters
from the Southern States, both private and
puNlic, to show that the spirit Of re oellion
still existed there, and that the rights Of the
freedmen we're being disregarded IN all of the
Southern States.
M. Cowan responded to Mr.. Sumner, de-
Tending the President from the white washing
charge.
In the House, bill authorizing the sp-
pointment Of Assistant Assessors Of Internal
Revenue, was passed.
Ou motion Of Mr.. Stevens it was resolved
that the Superintendent Of the Freedm
Bureau, Maj. Gen. Howard, be directed to in
form The House whether any real estate, sez-
ed under the act Of July l7th, 1862, as the
enemy's property and the title Of which by that
act was vested in the United States, had been
assigned or allotted to the freedmen for res
idence and homestead by the order of any
department Of the Government, and if so,
whether the same has been restored to rebel
owners and the people OF color ordered off,
and by whose authority, and also whe her
the above plantations have been thus occupi-
ed and thus restored, and if it is known to
the said Superintendent Of the Freednan's
Bureau, to state under what pretence or au-
thority the property once vested in the Unit
ed States under confseation, Of the enemies
not as traitors property. was thus taken from
the United States and bestowed on conquered
enemies.
In the Senate Dec. 81, on motion Of Sena-
tor Howard the President was asked to re-
port to the Senate upon what grounds JEFF
Davis is confined, and why he is not brought
to trial
The Chair announced the following com
mittee on reconstruction: Fessenden, Grimes,
Harris. Howard, johnson and Williams.
Senator Sumner presented the petition of
the colored citizens Of Tennessee, that the
not received till hat State recognized the
lights Of colored citizens.
Also, the petition of the white citizens Of
the District Of Columbis for the extension
of the right OF suffrage to colored people
In the House, Dec. 81, a resolution that
this Government ought never TO recognizes
any government imposed upon any nation on
this continent, by the arms Of any European
power, was referred to Foreign Committee.
resolution endorsing the Presidents
Message, and pledging the support Of the
House to principles enumerated, laid over
till the Och January.
A resolution was passed inquiring into the
expedieney of admitting delegates to repre-
sent the District of Columbis. a.
Mr. Fink (Dsmocrat) and Raymond (Re-
publicsn) replied to Thad. Stevens, opposing
his theory that the Southern States are merely
conquered territory.