The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-12-08
Congress.

The House organized promptly on Mon
day by the choice of Mr. Coltax as speak
er. by vote of 139 to 80, Mr. McPher-
son, the clerk, preventing any delay by
the applications of members Of the south
ern states for seats, by ruling Mr.. May
attempted to make his case known. The
resolution adopted at the republican eau
Gus. for the appointment of Il special COM
miltec to examine and report whether any
of the southern states are entitled to rep
reScntation, was introduced by Thad Ste
venS. and promptly passed, in spite OF
some tilllbuStcring against it by the oppo-
sition
''Perley' telegraphed 10 the Journal:
The first day of the session has passed
off tremendously. and the Union Sena-
tors and Representatives have plainly
demonstrated that they do not intend 10
surrender the legislative department of
government into the hands of the South
ern oligarchs at present. Indeed. none of
those claiming to be Senators from the
South presented themselves in the Senate
Chamber Garrett Davis was not there
to have welcomed them lr;,d they knocked
at the door. but General McDougal was
on hand III an unusually broad trimmed
hat. and MIR. salisbury was present listen
| ing to Mr.. Summers resolutions with evil
IDENTIFY more attention than qualification.
Judge Poland was cordially greeted bv the
Senators. who welcomed him as the sue
ceSSor of their esteemed friend. Judge
Collamore
The Journal of Tuesday saws:
The first. preparatory notes from Con-
gress certainly give mo uncertain sound"
The Republican caucus was unexpectedly
harmonious, and perhaps unexpectedly de-
cided in tone The denomination of Mr..
Colfax as Speaker and Mr. MCPHERSON as
Clerk WAS a matter of course. because no
reason occurred to any one why they
should be set aside. both being efficient
and acceptable officers. whose continual
ton at their posts will materially advance
the business of the House. The agree
mcnt by the caucus upon the erection of Il
new Joint committee of fifteen TO take in
to consideration the whole matter of the
admission OF the Southern Representa-
tiveS, is 4 very important step. whether
considered in itself or in the light of the
unanimitv by which ii was arrived AT. 1t
was emnently proper that this great sub
!Iect, involving momentouS questions, both
Of principle and Of fact, should he assign
ed specially TO committee comprising the
best ability Of the two Houses, whose re-
port, made up with becoming delberation.
will carry decisive weight with Congress
and the country.
The most important indication from the
Senate is the bill which Hon. Henry Will
son is to introduce at the earliest opportu-
nifty. 1t Is a bill to secure practical free
dom at the South--a bill to make GOOD
the amendment of the Constitution now
on the point of being adopted That
something of the kind is sadly needed at
the South, is too clear for dispute. This
bill will open the whole question for dis
clSSion, which cannot come too soon, or be |
modified in terms, or superseded by equiv
alent measures, but that it indicates a !
grave want which the present Congress
must supply in some-way or other, is evil
dent to all thoughtful and patriotic minds. |
With these unmiStakable signs of the tenn
per OF Congress before us, we now await |
the Presidents message, trusting that we
shall see substantial harmony and cooper
alton between the executive and legislative
authorities of a united people
THE UNION DEAD.-Major Moore, of
the Burial Bureau, reports the total num-
Der of dead Union soldiers up to yesterday.
as follows: Washington, 1912. An
dersonville, 12,91S Richmond and vicin-
ity, 10000. Nashville, $4,000. The
Wilderness, 1900. So down to the mi
nor battlefelds. Every grave is identified
when possible, but there are over ii 900
around this city whose names and regi-
ments are unknown.-Wash. dispatch to
Jomnal
Somebody says "the oil-wells of Canada
West are said to be an established fact"
We say: LET ,eU alone - Unhon's