Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-01-20
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The subject of chief interest at Washing
ton since our Congressman returned from
their holiday sports to the labors they were
chosen to perform, has been the San Do
mngo mission proposed by the President.
The resolution to appoint commissioners
to 90 TO that Island, investigate its condi-
ton, and make report has passed both
Houses of Congress the President has Sc
lected his men, and they are on their way
to the Island. The commissioners are eX-
Senator Ben f.. Wade, Mr.. A. j. White,
President of Cornell University, and DIR.
Samuel G. Howe of Boston. A better Sc
lection could not be made. The public
may be assured that report coming from
these men will be fair, full and impartial.
Each of these commissioners is allowed
private secretary, and Frederick Douglass
goes as the assistant secretary of the COM
mission. Besides these there are several
representatives of the Press who join the
party, also stenographers, geologist, bot
anist and others, who take this opportuni-
ty to enjoy pleasant trip and have a good
time. 1t will require weeks or perhaps
months for the commissioners to make
their investigations, and complete their re-
port.
| The civil service, in which so deep and
I 30 general an Interest is felt and 'ossprtssed
throughout the country, we are glad to no.
| tico is attracting some attention in Con-
| gress. Mr.. Jenckess new civil Service
bill differs in many respects from his bill
of last session. The general machinery of
tI,, a la Il, 10 10
comparative examinations by Civil Ser
vice Commission, but everything relating
to the tenure of-office is omitted and ii is
provided that the President shall establish
regulations governing removals, and de-
eide what are to be considered as causes for
dismissal. A number of officers, includ-
ing foreign NJ inisters, clerks of Courts and
clerks of the two Houses of Congress, are
exempted from the examination proposed
for other appointees to civil Office and the
President and heads of departments may,
in special cases, dispense with the examin-
alton, and ascertain from other sources the
fitness of candidates for appointment. The
| bill is intended TO follow out the recon-
mendations made by the President in his
annual message.
Senator Edmunds presented and had
read in the Senate, a remonstrance of Mrs.
General Sherman and one thousand other
women against woman suffrage. The re-
monstrants included among their number
the wives of Senators and Representatives
and prominent men in professional life
thro ughout the country. They state the
belief that their Communication represents
sober convictions of the majority of the
women of the country. They assert thai
while shrinking from public notoriety
they are too deeply and painfully impress
ed by the grave peris which threaten theil
peace and happiness in the proposed chang
es in their civil and political rights to re
main silent.
Mr.. Edmunds said that while many o
the signers were not known throughout tn,
country as attendants of political conven
tons, but rather for their connection will
works of charity and benevolence, h
thought it safe to say they represented
very large element of American women
From personal observations, he knew the,
spoke for nine-tenths of the people of Yer
mont.
Mr.. Pomroy replied that he disagreed
entirely with the conclusions OF the re
monstrants. He was glad, however, tina
these persons had demonstrated it showe
they were awake to the subject. He wa
sorry their reasons were not better tina
they were.
The paper was then referred to the Judi
ciary committee.
Mr.. Loughridge of the House Judiciar
Committee, made a lengthy report on tn
memorial of Mrs. Victoria C. Woodruff
accompanied by n resolution declaring tha
women have the right of suffrage unde
; the 18th amendment. The resolution wa
voted down by the committee, Gen. Butte
and Mr.. Loughridge being the only one
. voting in its favor.
The House proposes to definitely settl
the question of the National Cemeteries, $
, that there may be no controversy hereafte
in regard to the permanent resting place {
? the bones of our deceased heroes. The sui
ject was referred to the Committee on Mill
5 tary Affairs some lime ago, who agreed VI
. on a bill which was recently reported b
l Mr.. Stoughtou, declaring all cemeterie
+ where Union soldiers are buried to be tn
pr operty Of the United States and inalier
l able. 1t also declares them free and eN
= empt from any State or municipal tax,
| ton. The bill will probably be passed.
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THE DE Is1O