The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-02-17

1ectcd. Tho bill rs amehdcu was hhul-
ly passed. The House took up the
army appropriation bill, which, after
some amendments were made to 1T,
was passed. The House also passed
the fortifcation bill, which appropri-
ates considerable sum of money for
forts and improvements in Boston
Harbor. In the evening speeches were
made in the House upon different sub
jects MI Long of Ohio took occa-
sion to make some exceedingly disioy-
al remarks.
FEB. s. In the Senate, the resolu-
ton asking information of the Presi-
dent concerning the interview with the
rebel peace commissioners was adopt |
ed. The postal bill was passed after
some changes, one of which was strik
ing ont the provision requiring pre-
payment Of postage on newspapers and
magazines by the publishing Offices.
The billsproyidcs that if the postage is
paid upon letters within one rate, they
shall be forwarded. If not, they viii
be sent back to the writer's In the
House q resolution asking the Presi-
dent fen information concerning the
peace negotiations was adopted. A
select committee was appointed to in
quire into tho charges of corruption
against the Commissioner of Patents.
The House then went into Joint con-
yention with the Senate, after which
it adjourned.
FEB. o. In the Senate, Mr.. Clark of
New Hampshire was chozen president
of the Senate pro tenn, during the alb
sence of the Vice-President A bill
for the better organization of the pay
department of the army was reported
back from the military committee. A
resolution was adopted, requesting the
President to furnish an official copy of
the amendment to the Constitution to
the Governor of each State, and re-
quest them to notify him of the action
Of their State in regard to it. The bill
taking a tract to the amount of one de-
gree Of longitude from the territory of
Utah, and adding it to the State of
Nevada, was passed. The bill for
bridge over the Ohio at Cincinnati and
the bill for reimbursing the State of
4 Missouri for expenses incurred in call
ing out the militia, were passed. Mr.
/ Wiley offered a resolution IN regard
to State banks which had branches,
becoming national banks. Mr.. VII
son introduced bill to pvovide n uni
form militia throughout the United
States. 1t was referred to the com
mittee on military affairs. In the
House the speaker introduced brief
message from the President, stating
that he had signed the Joint resolution
in reference to the exclusion of certain
electoral votes, but disciaining the
right of the Executive to interfere with
the matter, and also stating that the
fact OF bis signing the resolution was
not an expression Of his judgment in
the premises. The amendatoly inter
nal revenue bill was taken up, but ow-
ing 70 The want Of a quorum nothing
was done.
t'rB. 10. But little business was
transacted III either house Of Congress,
they being occupied in hearing the
reading OF the message of the Prcsi-
dent upon the peace negotiations. In
the Senate bill WAS passed autAoriz-
ing the United States authorities to
attach the property Of deiaulting post
masters and other emf loyee3 who have
aided the rebellion. The time was
mostly spent in discussing the def
cheney, executive, and Legislative ap-
preparation bill, to which some amend
ments were made. The House con.
sidored the proposition of printing 20.
600 copies of the message, which was
finally referred to the printing com
3 mittce.
FEB. II. In the Senate, it was de
cided that executive sessions should be
held on Tuesday and Wednesla,
evenings. The freedmens bin was
made the special order The execu.
tive appropriation bill was taken ur
and farther amended. The mileage
of California and Oregon Judges was
increased, and the salaries Of the as.
slstant postmaster generals were raised
after the present fiscal year. 1t was
also amended by an appropriation o.
$4,000 for the congressional library
The bill was then passed, Genera,
Grant visited the Senate chamber and
+ was introduced to the members Ii
the House, Mr.. Alexander II. Rice re,
piled to attacks upon him by portion
OF the press. Mr.. Stevens also made 6
speech against some of the papers. A
Joint resolution appointing d. Della
field, Regent of the Smithsonian Insti
tuition, was passed. The balance o.
the day was occupied on the amenda.
tory internal revenue bill.
. FED. 10. In the Senate, petition
| was presented from the Boston board
5 OF trade, i'll aid of the bill for shir
canal around Niagara Falls. A bill
establishing monthly mail service be
t tween San Francisco and China was
5 passed. The report of the committee
r circumference ON the Freedmen's Bureau
t was taken up, read and postponed
The Joint resolution ON reducing thu
| duty ON paper was taken up, the ques
ton being on striking out ''three, an(
1 inserting Fifteen After some at
e tempts to amend, which failed, til,
5 amendment OF the finance committe,