Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-12-14
Our Washington Letter.

of the Capitol which for months past had been
as silent as tomb, were aroused by the tramp Of
ten thousand hurryng feet, and the babelike
confusion of five thousand voices Long before
the hour appointed, every scat in the gallery Of
both Senate and House was occupied by specta
tors gathered 10 witness the opening of Con-
gress' Hundreds who were unable to get in
filled the surrounding lobbics, and crowded around
the doors, although nothing oull be seen or heard
TINT was Transporting within Except the comfort
of scat, these late conner, lost little, for there
was nothing unusual 10 see or hear except the iu
discriminate hand shaking and hearty Interchange
Of greetings as Senators aud members entered the
halls
Precisely at twelve O'Clock Vice President Col
FAX, with bis pleasant fcc bcaming with more
than It's usual good nature, appeared at his desk
One quick nervous rap with his gnyel hushcd
every tongue and sent each Senator Sliding quietly
int, Dis seat TIE sound OF the gaycl hnd hardly
rcachcd the gallery before the rich musical voice
OF DR.. Newman WAS heard duplicating Divine
wisdom 90 direct and control the servants IT God
and thc people, here assembled The brief prayer
closcl tlc mcrcural Speaker WAS in bis seat and
in quick. sharp and nervous sentences was calling
OH the order ll business Thus in less than five
minutes after twelve the Senate bad opaasd. and
WAS Zoo the GOLD transaction of business. Soquietly
mud promptly WAS everything done, with sd lltlc
form or ceremony, that one would have thought
that the Senate was rCsumiug business after an
IMPAIRMENT for the night only, instead Of COM
mcnciug new session after a recess ol four
months Tie proceedings in the House were
similarly prompt, busincs-Iiko and informal.
Senator Elmunds was among the first to claim
tie attention % the President, to introduce res
outjon OF the Legislature Of Vermont asking
Congress tl authorize che payment Of thc balance
of her war claim against tle United S1,ci. The
amount OF this unpaid balance is something over
one hundred thousand dollars which the account
ing officer of Che Treasury could not allow on oc-
count of some technical uormaliy. EARLY action
on tbo part of Congress will be secured, and tAe
amount soon De paid into the State Treasury.
Senator Wilson has created genuine surprise
by introducing a bin 10 prevent Cine assessment
Of money upon government officers and employees
for political and other purposes
The bin prNide4 that it shall De unlawful for
"il '''N W u" i''l''' '''''"'' ''' w
or Internal revenue OF olIef government Queer
To receive "f knowingly iul TO proD''' any sue"
assessment and any officer or employee paying
'Neh assessment s"all be dismissed from Once
ana be- So1le', TO a li"e not exceeding Sl''oo'
ltals3 provides thof1llovng addition to the oath
now subscribed b and chat have NOT during
/ tho same time paid, or promised to pay, any as
'''''ue't OF Involuntary o'I'f'1"'i'n 10Y po''lC'
o' ''''' purposes i'0'', '''''lS' "'''e' '"'
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