Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-03-22
Our Washington Letter.
The ISvEsrIG ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MATTERS, SC.
wMuISGroy. March is. lo72

rHE MISUNDERSTANDING MATTERS, &C.
wsuIsGroy. March is. lo72
Eiuor Free Pres;
result Of the debates which have occu-
pied 50 mu,h time the pretent session. there are
now ten investigating committees holding daily
sessions in IS many different rooms st the Capi-
FOL with several more in prospect The sergeants-
alarms Of The respective houses are already at
their wits end to provide quarters for the CON-
mittees as fAlt SIS they are appointed; and in the
event Of an increased number, will have to pro-
vide rooms under come other roof There is also
canse for alarm lest further drafts Of the same
nature should reduce one or both branches Of the
national legislature below quorum, and thus
suspend legislation, So far, not one Of these il
vestigatious seem to have afforded any com
tort for the prime movers. E1-Collector Muir
ply Of New York, was before the Custom House
Committee nearly all day on Saturday, and gave
the most direct and positive testimony to the e.
feet thst neither President Grant nor any
one connected with his household was 10 any way
implicated in the matters under complaint The
examination Of this witness lasted several hours,
and was very searching one, SIS was also that
Of Frank E Howe, special treasury agent ST
New York, who was before The committee en- the
previous day.
Mr.. Schu1z avAils himself Of the courtesy Of
the committee investigating the sale Of arms to
the French, by daily attendance upon its ses-
.ions, and puts each witness through a rigorous
course of cross-questioning. So far however, be
has failed to bring out any testimony to sustain
the fippsnt iusinualions Of rottenness with
which lie delighted to season his speeches in tie
Senate The best explanation yet given for his
cratic co urse, is offered by one Of his country
men, and lie to the effect that since by the disas-
trous effects Of the bolt he insugurated in sis
souri, the State is hopelessly surrendered to the
Democracy, his only chance for another lease Of
Senatorial existence depends on his joining that
party. He still has come three years in which
to effect the change, but is aware that although
the party extends cordial welcome to sudden
converts, it retains, even in its poverty and
wretchedness, decided aversion TO rewarding
them with fat Offices 1t, therefore, behooves
him to complete the transfer as eSrly as possible.
The other Investigations in progress were inau-
gursted with less noise and attract compare
lively little notice
COmmend.ble progress has been made with
the appropriation bills, both in the House and
Senate. In the former body the proposition to
increase the subsidy to the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Line, opened up warm debate. the most
remarkable incident Of which was the spirited
speech Of that ardent Democrat and Free Trader,
James Brooks, Of New York, in support Of the
measure. The American eagle was treated to a
spread, such a, he rarely gets, except on the 4th
of July.
Cost Island, 4 name with which the readers of
Congressional proceedings have been familiar,
10 ! these many years., wa, again brought TO
mind BY q proposition to denste it in the interest
of the commerce Of San Francisco The majority,
however, we're not prepared to commit the Gov
eminent to so generous 3 measure, and il re-
mains in suspense.
The discovery that the name Of that famous
North Carolina rebel, ZsbulOn B. Vance, had
been Struggled into an amnesty bill recently
passed, caused something Of a breeze in the
House. Fortunately the discovery WAS made in
time, and the narrow escape will make our legis-
tors more careful in future in requiring the
names to be read.
The Senate has voted the $50. 900 asked for