Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-03-02
FORTY..FIRST CONGRESS-.



In the Senate, Mr. Stewart attempted 10 pre-
sent the credentials OF the newlyelected Senators
from Georgia, but, Mr. Drake obiectng, they were
withdrawn Mr.. Schurz, from the Joint Com
mltteo on ketrenchmont reported new civil
service bill IL provides for the appointment Of a
Board of nine Commissioners, and the examine
ton OF applicants for Office, and gives women an
equal chance with men 10 all offices that thoy can
fiji equally we'll. Mr.. Conkling INDUCED in a
speech den0uncing New York for resembling her
ratification Of the Fifteenth Amendment and con-
tending that her action was void The Senate
adjourned, after short session, in honor Of the
day.
In the House, the majority of the Committee
on the Judiciary reported in favor of dismissing
the charges OF bribery and corruption Instituted
against Judge Richard Busteed Messrs. FL
bridge and Kerr asked leave 10 submit a minority
report, but b. +. Butler objected. The House
passed q bill extending the benefits of the home
stead law TO the children of deceased soldiers
Mr. Dawes rose to privileged question and called
attention to the fact that Mr.. Mungen of Ohio,
had printed in the Globe a speech, in which lam
guage was used which, il spoken in the House,
would have been in violation of the rules. lie
pronounced part Of il indecent Mr. Mungcn
defended himself lie denied that he had used
words disrespectful or impure. He had only al
luded 10 Mr.. Sumner as Tristan Burgess had
alluded to John Randolph, and the language
then had passed without robuke from the House.
lie was willing that the speech should he exam
ined by the Committee on Rules, and he would
submit to their seyercst censure. The House
went into committee on the Legislative Appro-
priation BILL and made considerable progress bo-
fore adjournment
WEDNESDAY,, Feb. %.
In the Senate, the Mississippi case was up, and
an attempt was made 10 swear in Senator'S Reyels
and Ames. long discussion ELECTED the fact
that majority Of the Republicans favor their adj
mission. No vote was reached, however. Mr.
I IlutporN a hill E.r favritariol
ment for Alaska.
In the House, the FIVE Republican members from
Mississippi appeared and were sworn in Two
were Confederate officers during the war. Mr.
Fitch of Nevada made an able and sensible speech
against Mr. Culom's bill 10 prevent and punish
poygamy in Utah The real sensation Of the day,
which crowded the galleries 20 sufiocation, was
the Whttcmore case. Mr.. Butler took the floor
as counsel for Mr. Whttemore The Speaker de-
cned to recognize him in the double capacity Of
juror and counsel. Mr. Poland moved for a
pOstp0ncment, which was voted down. An at
tempt to adjourn was also voted down. An an
CRY debate between Gen. Logan, chairman Of the
Military Committee and Gen. Butler, champion
for Whittemore, added lveliness TO the proceed
ings. Upon the motion Of Gen Logan, the House
ordered the previous question By large majority
and the fate of the accused was sealed lie arose
and appealed to the House for a delay of one day
Gen. Logan said that he had no objection 10 post
pone the final action until to-day, and with this
understanding execution was suspended, and the
House adjourned.
After Congress adjourned, b. + Whittcmore
took advantage of the delay granted by the House
of Representatives, and telegraphed to the Coy
ernor OF South Carolina rendering his resignation
lie is therefore no longer member, and is be
yond expulsion. lie says he will be returned by
an overwhelming majority.
THURSDAY, Feb %.
The Senate declared emphatically against the
issue of any more uaDer money. in a resolution
presented by Mr.. Williams. II passed without d
division. The Senate concurred in the House
amendment to the Political Disability bill
/ Speeches on the Funding bill were made by Mr.
Fenton and Mr.. Patterson The Mississippi
Senator matter was taken up, and Mr.. salisbury
delivered an elaborate argument in opposition 10
the admission Of Reyels, taking the position that
be had not been nine years "a citizen Of the United
states. 4 vote was not reached when the Senate
adjourned
Ia the House the Whittemore case came up
The Clerk read communication from Mr. Whit
/ temore announcing his resignation. The late
member then attempted 10 make a speech in his
own defence, but was checked by the Speaker, on
the ground that he was no longer a member Of
/ the House. The original resolution Of expulsion
was laid upon the table, and General Logan Of
iered resolution declaring that b. f. White
more, the late member from South Carolina, had
been guilty of conduct which rendered him I'M
worthy TO occupy a seat on the floor The resolu-
/ ton was unanimously adopted-Butler and few
others refusing TO vote Mr. Whittemore then
packed up his papers and departed. The House
afterwards went into Committee on the Appro-
priation bill
FRIDAY, Feb. a5.
The negro has taken his seat in the Senate
Chamber After long debate, in which many of
the leading Senator'S on both sides participated the
Senate voted down the resolution of Mr.. Stockton
70 refer the credentials Of Reyels 10 the Judiciary
Committee, and admitted him by strict party
+ vote As TO s. Senator Wilson conducted his
black brother to a seat, and the Republican Sena-
| tors crowded around with their congratulations.
| Mr.. Hamlin introduced bill to provide terri
torial government for the District of Columbia
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to prevent and pun
ISL prize-hghting in the United States. Two
years imprisonment and SO 900 fine are the pen
alties. Mr.. Howard introduced bill 10 divide
the State of Texas, and to establish the Terrific
ries OF jefferson and MatagOTda. The bill caryes
the State into three equal parts Jefferson being
to the east and Matagorda to the west of what is
left of Texas.
In the House bills were introduced to establish
a Department OF Justice and a system of National
Education. Butler, from the Reconstruction Com
mttee reported bill 10 admit the State of GeOr-
ga 10 a representation in Congress ON the terms
accorded to Virginia So much objection was
made that the bill was recommtted On motion
Of Mr. Shanks, the Military Committee was in
structed TO extend its Investigations into the
liuuS ol olCtIe pl Aile ullhN utlu navy ItSpect
10 the purchase and sale of cadetships The
House, while considering the Indian Appropria-
ton bill entered into a general discussion of the
late atrOcous massacre of Indian women aud chill
dren on the Plains by order of Gen. Sheridan
Mr.. Eldridge (Deml characterized Sheridan 5
order as infamous. Mr.. Stevenson (Rep.) stood
by the order, and believed that when we fight the
Indians it must be to kill MIR. Mungen (pem. }
thought fighting the Indians vigorously was well
enough but he would not jump into a little In
dian, sick with smallpox, and kill him." Both
Houses adjourned over till Monday.
MONDAY, Feb %.
In the Senate Mr.. Sumner introduced q bill TO
secure the enforcement of constitutional amend
ments Mr.. Sherman made long speech in sup
port Of his funding bill. There was an exciting
session, in which the confirmation Of Judge
, Strong's nomination to the Supreme Court bench
was reconsidered.
In the House the recent massacre Of Indians
r was debated, and resolution of the Seymour
and Blair platform was adopted, in spite Of de-
termined opposition on the part of the democrats.
) Messrs. Golladay and Deweese, implicated in the
cadet appointment irregularities, resigned.