Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-01-27
XLth Congress..---Last Session.


SENATE.
The Presidents reply as to his authority for is
suing the amnesty proclamation being laid before
the Senate. Mr. Ferry characterized il as an in
definite reply, throwing no light on the subject.
The chair presented petition of the colored
citizens Of Georgia, stating that they were inn
prisoned under oppressive State laws in conflict
with the reconstruction laws, and asking redress
from Congress referred to the judiciary commit
tee.
Mr.. Thayer moved an amendment to the Con.
s.itutiou, that all male citizens OF the United
States may vote in all elections, national, State,
and municipal unless convicted OF crime laid
over.
Mr.. Mcdonald introduced bill to complete
and perfect the railroad and telegmphic cOnmu-
nicatOn with the Pacific ocean referred to the
committee on post Offices
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of
the copper bill.
A long discussion ensued, when, on motion of
Mr.. Whyte, the bill was amended by excepting
from its provisions all copper in course OF transit
to this country after Jan TO- The bill was then
passed.
The bill imposes ON all copper imported in the
form of ores, three cents ON each pound OF line
copper contained therein on all regulus OF cop
per, four cents on each pound Of fine copper con-
tanned therein on all old copper, fit only for re-
manufacture, four cents per pound ona all copper
in plntes, bars, ingots, pigs, and in other forms
not manufactured, FIVE cents per pound
HOUSE.
On motion Of Mr. Paine, the resolution inquir-
ing how many enlisted men now serving in the
army were in the rebel army was rescinded, as
the Adiutant General had informed him the in
formation could only be obtained by individual
inquiry.
Mr. Ella, from the printing committee, report
ed in favor Of printing 10000 Of Commissioner
Well 5 report
Mr. Kelley opposed the proposition, saying
the report was not entitled TO such sOn endorse
ment
Mr.. Kelley spoke at length, and was followed
by others the resolution was adopted.
The House then took up the bill to preserve the
purity Of elections in the territories.
The territorial delegates opposed the bill as I'M
necessary. Mr. Ashley Of Ohio, defended it, and
the bill was passed
The Senate's substitute for the House bin.
which provides for the transfer from State 10 the
federal courts Of all suits brought against express
ruir0ad and steamship companies, etc, for loss
OF property in transitu caused by the war, was
passed
The Senate bill granting lands and the right Of
way to the Denver Pacific Railroad and Telegraph
Company was taken up.
Mr.. Price, from the Pacific Railroad committee,
offered an amendment to the bill in the shape OF
a new section, that no subsidy in bonds shall be
issued for greater length Of road than flty-iour
miles from the previous completed terminus Of the
road and that nothing in it shall be construed
to authorize the eastern division of the company
10 opemte fix the rates Of tariff for the Denver
Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company.
4 number of other amendments were offered.
when the bill and amendments were ordered
printed. A long debate ensued among the
speakers was Mr.. Washburne Of Illinois, who
spoke against the bill.
In conclusion MIR Washburne said he would
not have taken up 50 much time had it not been
for the fact that the bill was the pioneer bill"
Of the session, and that the House was by the
vote upon it to determine its policy on the sub
ject Of other land grants and subsidies to rail
roads. If this bill was passed with all its enor-
mites, the House would be ignoring the demands
Of the country, and would be giving emphatic
sanction TO other projects that were lying in wait.
involving some two hundred millions Of dollars,
10 aid in the construction Of some ten thousand
miles Of rlilroads-two hundred millions for the
benefit OF corporations, spectators lobbyists and
adventures while pestiierous monopoly, the
Western Union Telegraph Company, was to be
perpetuated, which was robbing the public of ten
millions agar Adjourned.