Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-12-07
Washington News.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Dec. 5.
THE APPOINTMENT QUESTION.

THE APPOINTMENT QUESTION.
The day has been rather dull at the capt.
tol. In the House Mr.. Williams of Penn
sylvania made an able speech in support of
his bill, which gives to the heads of depart
ments sole control of their subordinates, and
takes from the president the power to re-
move the heads but once in four years.
This bill antagonizes that introduced by
Mr.. Stevens, and is less oppressive. The
whole subject will be thoroughly discussed
this winter, and hasty action will not be
taken
THE FUTURE POLICY OF CONGRESS-.
The business committee appointed by the
House caucus to report measures this eve.
ming came to a happy result. They recon-
mend nothing looking to impeachment If
the New Orleans massacre calls for investi-
cation, it will be granted by tbs House.
Such investigation will be Independent, and
conducted as Investigations usually are
Some of the best radicals in the country re-
fuse to follow Thad Stevens in his rashnese,
and his bill relating to the tenure of civil Of
fees is already dead. Some bill on the sub
ject may be adopted, but not his
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS IN THE
SOUTH.
Mr.. Dawes introduced an important bill
into the house to-day, providing for holding
congressional elections in the lately rebel
lious states 1t is his old plan of two years
ago, changed so as to be applicable to pres
ent circumstances.
THE SENATE COMMITTEES.
There was some excitement over the ar
rangement of the committees in the Senate,
this morning. Messrs. Doolittle, Cowan,
Dixon and Norton were all put at the tail
of their committees. Cowan is struck of
from the finance committee, and the place
given to Cattell Of New Jersey. Cowan
feels sore over the last indignity, but he
took the stump in the late campaign against
the republicans, and has no cause for COM
plant.
MIR. SUMMERS BECoNsTRUCTIoN REsoLu-
LUTIONS.
Mr.. Summers resolutions simply occupy
his old ground. He will have something
more to say hereafter upon them.
THE sENATE's PRESIDENT.
The Senate will not elect presiding Off
Ger for the present. and probably not till
the middle Of February. Mr.. Fosters con-
duct meets with general appreciation on
both sides of the chamber, and he will stay
until the closing days of the term. The
Senate is compelled to elect new president
pSlOiS hhdl uIiJOuInlHCHl.
INVESTIGATIONS IN PROSPECT.
Congress will fully investigate the New
Orleans massacre and the Baltimore cleo
ton, not with reference to impeachment
but simply to give the facts 10 the people.
THE DECAPITATED PosTNIAsTERs.
Postmaster General Randall is already
making up his list of removals, to send to
the House, in compliance with its request
1t is lengthy document.
HAsTY ACTION DEPRECATED.
Conservatism had another triumph in the
Senate to-day. Mr.. Chandler tried again tC
get up the House bill to repeal that par
of the act of 1862, which gives the Presi
dent power to pardon rebels before conyic
ton; but the Senate would not consent
Senators Grimes and Howe deprecated
haste, or anything looking like passionate
action. Some of the most thorough radi
Gals in both Houses oppose rash measures.