Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-12-12
Our Washington Correspondence.

Our Washington Correspondence.
The recent elections and their teachings-Con-
.gressional Ca,scus-Th Massage Welcome
TO Congress-Business before Congress
Amnesty-Im peoehment-Mee of merit
Congress- Vermont Observation-Disclosures
0xs.
RECENT ELECTIONS AND THEIR TEACHINGS.
WASHINGTON, D. G. Dec. 7. 1866.
Mr.. EDITOR :-Congress has again met and
in very different circumstances from those in
which it adjourned. Then, they had just
sent forth their plan for the reconstruction of
the Union, to a people somewhat allenated by
the long delay necessary to mature that plan,
for approval or condemnation-many feared
the latter. They perceived the Democrats, j I'M
der the lead of the President, struggling des
perately to obtain the power, and to that end
pros tituting all the patronage of the Execu-
tive and vilifying every motive and action of
Congress and they found many of their own
numbers led away by vain promises, and if
not openly yet secretly opposing them. 1t is
safe to cay that many trembled for the result,
in their own districts. In view of eli these
instruct the people. They went and found
the people ready, Lot to be Instructed but to
teach. First Vermont, true as STEEL denounc
ed the Presidents policy then Maine follow
ed with plea for the Constitu tional Amend
ment tnen Pennsylvania and her sister states
gave their voice for Congress and finally New
York and the whole long train of states deelar-
\ ~. A. =. d
Maryland alone of all the previously loyal
sta ties, overrun with rebels and with q trait
orous Governor, notwithstanding the long
and bitter fight ior the right, was lest. New
York City also gave It's voice in support Of the
President SO loudly as to cause that diguitaTy
to rejoice greatly and conclude that his policy
must be right if so great /. commercial me,rop-
oils approved it. We see, as the res ult OF this
contest fairly and closely fought, the COM
plele fall of Johnsonism, the discontinue of
the Democrats, The unqualified approval OF the
Congressional plan, and u more thoroughly
radica. Congress to succeed the one new IN
being. As another effect produced, We find
the principal men i'll the present Congress re-
turn with a determination 10 go to the root of
the matter. Alr. Stevens said the other day,
that he did not again intend to allow himsel
to be so far outstripped by his constituents as
to lay himself open TO blame for his conserva-
tism. We need fear no compromises this SEES
sion nor any abatement OF the guarantees de-
manded from the rebel states, but probably
strict adherence to their published plan in
nearly every particular.
CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS.
At the caucus Saturday night-over which
Mr.. Morrill, presided-little was done and yet
enough 10 foreehadow the lines of policy to
be pursued the present Session and pronounce
it intensely radical At the adjourned caucus
on Wednesday evening the work Tor the SEES
zion was mainly agreed on. At this meeting
the presence OF Raymond caused much debate
and excitement, which was however soon. ami
cably settled by allowing the - little villain 5"
to rema in
THE MESSAGE.
On Monday Congress net ard nearly all Of
both the Houses were IN their seats. The
Pre- sidents message was received ard read.
1t did not create much OF a iurore, for It's ideas
were old the whole story was the familiar
one repeated IN all his Messages and Speeches.
only lacking that venom and evident ill-feel-
lug which has characterized those chaste pro-
ductons. AS usual, his sweeping assertions
IN regard to the condition OF the country
sound well, blu; when brought TO the test OF
.-rth fo~~d ursrtI04.
WELCOME To CONGRESS.
The grand mass welcome which bad been
so long heralded, was to-day extended to Con-
gress. The procession was hardly as grand
an affair as many had been led to expect, al
though it was by no means failure. The
colored people, who have evidently discovered
who are their friends. were out IN full force.
The speeches on the occasion were very good,
especially that of Mr.. Colfax which is highly
praised. The banquet in the evening was
quite fully attended and the flow OF eloquence
was what might be expected where such
men as Stevens, Colfax, and Forney spoke.
BUSINESS BEFORE CONGRESS.
There are several matters of Importance
which have already been introduced, and are
now engaging the attention of Congress. OF
these, one of the first and of the greatest
Importance was proposed by Mr.. Eliot, 70
take away the 'pardouing power fcom tas
President. Tnis Dill passed sae House and i
now pending in the Senate.
Mr.. Stevens introduced bill annuliing all
the appointments made by the President with
out the concurrence OF the Senate, re-instaei ting
the former monuments and dis9ualifying such
rejected appointees from holding office sor
three years. 4 resolution was also intro
duced, calling on the President for { Inst Of
all such appointees. Everything, therefore.
looks TO q rebuke at least of the manner liz
which offices are disposed OF, and q check
which has long been needed On the power
of thus abusing patronage. Another prop0-
sition has been made wh ch would MATERIAL
lessen this patronage, ani that Is to take
from the Presiden. the appointment OF the
Commissioner Of Internal Revenue, and place
it in the hands of the Chief Justice and As
sooiate Justices, which would have the effect
OF removing all political matters from that
I important department.
On Tuesday, Mr.. Lawrence OF Ohio intro
, dueed bill to repeal the acs raising the
salaries OF Congressman to $4,000 per year,
| which will probably give satisfaction To the
great majority, although a lew will recognize
the propriety OF paying our public servants
/ In manner TO compensate Ia some degree
for their labor and responsibility