Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-01-18

Bogota is to be the Secretary. The latter
gentleman can speak and write the Spanish
language, and will probably have to . do
the conversation for the commissioners
while they are on the island, Dr. Howe
has. however, sbent Some time in Cuba, and
yerS likely writes if he does not speak
Bishops Simpson and Ames, and
William e. Dodge of New York were offered
places on the eonmssior Eus declined. 1t
is understood that one or two favored news
paper reporters, who have been particularly
Jealous in supporting the annexation scheme,
will 90 with the expedition as clerks to some
of the naval officers, and in that way be paid
by the government for writing to their news
papers glowing descriptions of the beauties
of tropical climates, the wealth of tropical
productions, and the capacities for free IN
situations of race compounded OF Spanish,
Negro and Indian elements. The commits
sion will sail from New York Tuesday, the
18th inst, and is expected back here by the
10th of February at least that has been
the expectation, till very recently, of the
friends of annexation.
THE APPoRTIONMENT BILL.
On Tuesday the Judiciary Committee of
the House reported an apportlonment bill
which fixes the whole number of members Of
Congress at go. This is on the basis of
1877 800 to a member, and gives each State
with fraction of more than half that num-
Der another member. Vermont and New
Hampshire are the only States that lose any
members under this appOrtionment; and
Vermont at least has some chance of retain
ing her present number, as her fraction,
though less than half, is very large. The
bill has been recommitted to the Judiciary
Committee, and is TO be further considered.
1t is also understood that the Census Com
mittee is to report a bill, as they claim ju-
risdiction in the matter. There seems to
be disposition to so TX the apportiOnment
that no State shall lose any members, and
this renders it possible that Vermont may
have the same number of representatives in
the next ten years that she has had in the
last ten.
OTHER BUSINESS.
The House after considerable debate
passed a bill for the better care of cattle, in
transit by railroad or other means of trans
portation. Constitutional objections were
urged against the bill, but it passed by large
majority.
The House spent considerable time during
the week on the legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill, and have gone
nearly through it in the Committee of the
Whole 1t was voted to raise the salaries of
the Judges Of the Supreme Court $4,000
each, making them $4,000.
TIE SENATE.
The Senate has accomplished but little
during the week. 1t has discussed at con-
siderable length Senator Trumbull's bill
prohibiting members of Congress from med
ding with appointments, but il Is no nearer
action on the subject than it was a week ago.
( The House bill. providing that the National
Government will give its countenance TO a
grand celebration in Philadelphia on the 4th
of July, 1876, of the declaration OF Ameri-
can Independence, has been referred IN the
Senate, and viii doubtless be passed.
The Senate yesterday, after long debate
in secret session, confirmed Vice Admiral
Porter's nomination as Admiral. This set
ties the question that the rank of Admiral
in the navy viii not be abolished while Por-
ter lives
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
The woman suffrage convention, which has
been in session here the past week, was re
markable, in the language Of a newspaper
writer, for - dignity, pure English, and the
absence Of spittoons. The attendance upon
the meetings was quite large, and the speeches
were very good. Senator Wilson presided at
one Of the evening sessions, and Senator Nye
at another The advocates Of suffrage also
took the occasion to have a hearing before
the House Judiciary Committee, at which
they urged that women are persons and
are entitled 10 vote now under the recent
amendment to the constitution. Mrs. Hook
er's argument before the committee Is spoken
of with especial praise Two members OF
the committee, Gen. Butter of Massachusetts,
and Judge L0ughridge of Iowa, agree with
the women on this point, and it Is said have
leave OF the committee 70 present their views
10 the House as a minority report. 1t Is
doubtful, however, even If such q report /:
made, IL the matter receives any attention
by the House, as the few weeks remaining
OF the session, if there were no other reason
would prevent any deliberate consideration
/ but the report would be printed, and would
be extensively read, and would thus serve
the purpose really intended by the movers il
the matter, of getting that particular phase
of the discussion before the people