Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-08-05
From Our Washington Correspondent.
wAmnsoroS, Aug 3, 1865.


last Of the members from the city some to
make flying excursions to the Rocky Noun
tans some to recruit their exhausted enor-
GIGS at the Springs or at the seaside, and
some to make peace with their constituencies
and to look after their conventions.
An adjournment of Congress always leaves
Washington dull and undressing place
Claimants, aspirants. lobbyists and the ten
thousand and one strangers who are always
here during the sessions, follow or flee with
the retrcating members, leaving the streets as
deserted, and the hotels as empty as place
of popular summer resort at the close of the
season. Were It not for the FIX
ecutivo and departmental offices, which are
local, and whose business is never ended, there
would not be interest enough in the place to
furnish newspaper paragraph. As it is
business of the most vital interest and impor-
lance to the welfare Of the country may be
decided here during recess Of Congress, and
hence, even now, the people will keep an in
tcrestod eye turned in this direction.
As Congress adjourned without making any
confirmation for the Office of Commissioner Of
Internal Revenue it became question as to
what course the President would adopt. 1t
was well known that he desired to put some
one else in Mr. Rollins place, and it was re-
ported that he had decided that the condition
expressed in Mr.. Rollins resignation is roid,
and that by ignoring the condition aud ac-
ccptiug the resignation q vacancy would there
by be created, which he could then proceed
to I'LL by the appointment Of Col. Cooper. IL
has since transpired that he prudonty sub
mitted this view to Mr. Eyarts, the new At
tornoy General, who decided that the condi-
tioa expressed, viz: to take effect upon the
confirmation of his successor" Is an insopara-
bic element in the resignation, and hence that
Mr. Rollins is properly in office until his sue
cessor is duly confirmed. The only other way
to get possession Of the department is for the
President to suspend Mr.. Rollins, las he did
Mr. Stanton,) and to present charges against
him upon the reassembling Of Congress
Charges against Mr. Rollins would be a diff
cult thing to ind and it is reported that at a
recent Cabinet meeting il was determined that
no change in the office should be attempted
prior to the rcassembIing of Congress.
j. NJ. Buckley, Esq, late Assistant At
torney General, who was legislated out of Of
fee, at the last session of Congress, and who
will be remembered in connection with that
office on account Of the length and thickness
of his " Opinions, was on Thursday appoint.
ed Solicitor of Internal Revenue, a position
which believe has never before had an oc-
cupant.
In accordance with provision in the Act
Of July 20, organizing the territory Of Wv
oming, the Commissioner of the General
Land Office has appointed Prof. Harvey Of
the University Of Pennsylvania, with COM
petent corps Of Assistants, as a Special Scien-
tifc Commission to make a geological and
neurological survey of the territories Of
Wyoming and Colorado. As they cannot get
to the scene Of their labors much before Sep
TENDER, they cannot have more than two
months in which to prosecute their labors dur
ing the present season The territory which
they are required to survey is more than
twice the size Of New England without roads
and generally without inhabitants. IL would
seem that they must ply their hammers and
use their spades industriously, to do much
towards developing the mineral resources of
this immense country in the time allotted
However, they will be able to have pleasant
excursion, and doubtless to make some inter-
esting specalatioAS upon their return
On Tuesday the purchase Of Alaska was
finally consumated, by the signing at the State
Department Of draft for 81 200, 900 for the
payment OF the purchase money which was
delivered to the Russian Minister. Baron de
Stocked. The draft was exchanged at the
Iraa f.r I
Treasurer at New York, at which place the
coin will be paid
Day before yesterday intelligence was re-
ceived here of the discovery in the immediate
nelghborhood Of Sitka of an immense deposit
Of coal the vein in some phases being over
twenty feet in thickness The coal has been
tried on the L. 5. Steamer Legamon aud
pronounced pure anthracite of most excel
lent quantity. This discovery will be Of i'm
nense value and Importance to the commerce
and manufactures Of the Pacific Coast.
Immediately upon the adjournment of Con-
gress, large reduction in the clerical force
Of the Quartermaster Generals office was
made by the discharge of ninety-iour clerks.
Ii was Immediately aseertained that the most
cruel and unjustifable distinction had been
made against soldiers. Out of the ninety
four discharged, eghty-thrce had served in
the Union army during the rebellion. -Four.
teen Of this number had lost a leg eleven had
lost an arm, and many of the remainder had
been otherwise partially disabled by wounds
received in defence Of the country, although
FULLY qualified to perform clerical duty. IL
was observed that scarcely soldier was left /
IN the Department, while it is alleged that |
majority Of those retained were secession sym.
pathlzers during the war. The dismissals
were made by Gen. Miller, who, it will be re-. |
nembered attained somewhat extensive no. |
ioriety through the papers, couple of months
ago, for refusing to contribute towards the
decoration of Union Soldiers graves on the
Goth of May, unless the rebel graves were
hunted up al decorated in like manner, with
,at distInctio. Upon an appeal by the SOL
hers, the secretary Of War has ordered an
Investigation as to why soldiers were dis.
harged and civilians retained. This. how
yer, Ike all similar investigations, will prob
'bly do little towards righting the wrong.
An important amendment was made to the
Bankrupt law just previous to the adjourn.
aent OF Congress, The provision that no dis
harge should be granted after the LIST of
Iune, 1865, to any debtor whose estate does
lot pay fifty per cent, except upon the con-
ent OF the majority Of the creditors, was SO
modified as to extend the time to January ],
-oo9' Thomas.
REGISTERED LETTERs.-Under the new
ystem, registered letters are a very safe
means OF sending small sums where post-ofIce
money orders cannot be easily obtained. The
eglstry fee, as well as postage must be made
stamps ri the Office where the letter is
lalled, or It will be liable to be sent to the
cad letter office. Buy and afix the stamp,
9th for postage and registry, put in the mon.
and seal the letter in the presence of the
ostmastcr, and take his receipt for it.