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

SENAlt.
Mr.. Robertson introduced bill to extend the
jurisdiction Of the Court OF Claims to claims Of
/ loyal citizens against the United States for ap-
| preparation or destruction Of their property by
the army engaged in the suppression OF the late
| rebellion referred 70 committee ON judiciary
! Mr. Wilson introduced bill to provide for the
reduction of the military forces Of the United
States, and for other purposes referred to the
committee on military affairs.
IL provides the mastering out of some service
Of the minor grade for the enlistment Of soldiers
Tor live years for the abolition of drills and pa
rades, and other unnecessary work on the Sab
bath and gives privates the benefit Of the pro-
vision, as to time Of trial, which now applies 70
officers
Mr.. Wilson also introduced bill, which had
the same reference, to reorganize the general Of
Ulcers OF the army !. retains Chs GepsEar "a tea
| pay, abolishes the grade Of Brgadier except when
held by chiefs of stats of staff departments, and
the chief of staff of the General Of the army. and
provides that in time Of war brigades shall be
Commanded by Colonies selected for merit.
HOUSE.
] Mr. FaruswOrth, chairman of the post Office
committee, reported bill to restrict and regulate
the iranking privilege as follows
BE it enacted that it shall not he lawful for any
oihoer Of the government, member of Congress
/ or other persons entitled by law 10 the franking
privilege, to exercise said privilege otherwise THAI
| by his or her written autograph signature upon
the matter iranked and all letters or other mnil
matter not thus franked shall be charged with
the rates of postage which are now or may be
hereafter established by law.
Sec. .. And be it further enacted that from and
after the LIST day of April next, no officer of the
government, member of Congress or other person
entitled By law to the franking privilege shall by
reason of such privilege, be entitled 10 receive
through the mails any mail matter free of postage
but all mail matter directed TO such officer, mem
Der OF Congress or other person, shall be charged
postage as in other cases.
Mr.. Washburn asked Farnsworth 10 accent A
substitute repeating all laws and parts of laws,
conierrlng the Thanking privilege on any person
whatever. Mr.. Farnsworth declined to allow the
substitute TO be offered because he was satisfied
i could not pass. After considerable discussion
Mr.. Miller moved 10 add to the second section the
words y" except correspondence with the Commits
sioner OF Pensions in relation to pensions :" re-
jected.
MIR: johnson moved to lay the bill on the table :;
negatiyed
MIR. Ferry moved to strike out the second sec
ton, agreed to--yeas 1923, nays Sc.
passed without division.
Mr. Julian offered resolution, instructing the
committee on banking and currency to enquire
into the cxpediency Of providing by law that ex-
lstng contracts, and those that may hereafter be
made, be adjusted and paid in gold or the basis
oil the relative value Of gold and United States
notes.
Mr.. farnsworth from the reconstruction COM
mittee, reported bill for the removal of disabili-
ties from large number Of persons in Southern
States.
MIR. Mullins remarked that a number Of the
persons proposed to be relieved were from Shenan-
a9ah county, Virginia, and enquired whether Mr..
Mosby was included.
MI Farnsworth said he was not, but IL the
gentleman from Tennessee would introduce a Iii
Tor his relief it would secure due consideration.
Mullins well sir, Gabriel will snap his resur-
rectlon gun before will do It, QAughter.)
The bill was passed by the requisite two-thirds
vote