Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-01-19
Notes and Comments.


The national labor reiormors are much
agltated over Senator Morrills movement to
repeal the elght-hour law.
-bey Sella Martin is to be the editor,
and Frederick Douglass the corresponding
editor OF the Nee Era, weekly paper which
Is to be established by colored citizens in
Washington.
Many citizens OF British Columbia have
presented a memorial to President Grant
praying the good Offices OF our government
IN securing the transfer Of that Province to-
the United States.
The Savings Banks of Massachusetts
have of deposits and surplus about sllG,00O-
600. This is very well for these times Of
high prices and higher taxes, and highest ex-
trayagance IN the habits OF ordinary life.
The Tennessee constitutional convention
assembled at Nashville the 10th, and organized
by eecting John c. Brown, an ex-rebel gem
eral, president. The vote Of thepeople calling
the convention was 50,520 against 10,02O
opposed thereto.
From two thousand to three thousand
tons of white clay were shipped last year
from near Aiken, South Carolina, to certain
coniectioners and cracker-bakers in the North,
and has dobtless found its way into the
stomachs of children and other innocent
folks.
1t is reported that Chief Justice Chase,
in conversation with Senator concerning
Judge Hoar. said he was sorry that he was
not confirmed, as in his Judgment and that of
his associates, his appointment would be a
good one. Few men had filed the position
of Attorney General with more credit than he.
There will he some finn in Conoro.s ho
fore the session is over on ,be onost;oo of
obolisbinc tbo f.orl.;no nr;,;looo c.
momhors do NOT lilo tho nov - u,b;oh ~
Postmaster General is ,rsbirg h. ooso and
thev are cettino nm facts and eorros 20 chow
that certain ,ssnnnt;ors in HE ronort oro u
correct
--Somewbore in tho rproI districts of vorL,
State. bank cashier has been imprisoned for
stealing Sl7 900 from bis bank. The Boston
Traveller says in that part Of the world such
an offender might have been imprisoned, but
the punishment would have been awarded be-
cause he took so little money, when he might
have taken much.
"A member Of the United States Congress
adyortises a cadet vacancy in the Naval Acade-
my rsale, in the New York Herald, for which
he asks a large sum of money, The National
Legislature owes it to the people and its own
dignity to ferret out this offender against pub
lie decency, and have him summarily expelled
from the body he disgraces.
"A Mississippi Democratic paper says
that Governor elect Alcorn said in a recent
interview that, though Southern in his feel
ngs, he should never go back on the negro
or the carpet-bagger. He meant to have a
full, fair, impartial administration Of the laws,
to the end that all the citizens of the State
may have certain security in all their rights
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, has introduced a
bill in the House g to protect officials in the
Government employ" which forbids all off
GERS and clerks in Government employ to sub.
scribe to the purchase of any gift for a supe-
rior officer, under penalty of dismissal. This
will dispose Of most disgusting system of
toadyism, and emancipate poorly-paid officials
from an Improbable and oppressive custom.
The Boston Commercial Agency have
published a report showing the total number
of failures during the year 1869 in the United
States to have been 2799, with liabilities of
$50 ,O54OOO, against totals in 1868 of 260s
in number and s63,774,000 in liabilities. In
Vermont in 1865 there were q failures with
liabilities of 100000; in 1869, 81 failures,
with liabilities of $4,000.
"A droll thing lately happened to United
States Senator Carpenter, of Wisconsin.
Having procured the publication of his speech
on Cuban affairs in the Milwaukee Sentinel,
to set himself right with his constituents,
the publisher did himself the honor of pre-
senting little bill of 1926 to the Senator
for the favor done. If all Congressional
speeches were charged at advertising rates,
what blessed season of quiet would ensue
The suit against General Butler about