Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-03-29
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. March 25, 1872

Editor Free Press and Itmes-
The condition Of affairs at the Capitol seeming
to demand little less stump speaking anu
closer attention to business, the Senate devoted
little snare time at the beginning Of the week 10
p.ssinc Mr.. Conkling's resolution c: inquiry
into the number Of persons recommendei 1"
office BIZ certain Senator's, and thus got rld Oh
the last of these disagreeable inquiry msuers'
ard settle down 10 more important business
Contrary to popular expectation the ChlcssO ~
lief bill passed, but with some amendments 'na'
render its final passage b. the House doubtful
Mr. Morrill,, az chairman Of the committee on
public buildings and grounds, reported sd'else-
| ly on the recommendations Of the Ne" jersey
Leg,lsture, that Independence Hall, Phllaiel-
rhis. be sold, snd the proceeds used in erecting
A building in which to hold the centennial eeie-
brs.ion. Every person with soul large enough
to comprehend anything beyond dollars and
cents, will thank him for accompanying the re-
port with ,tinging rebuke to the AUTHORS Of
the proposition.
Tariff maiters have formed the staple Of dis
cussion, and it looked at one time as though the
entire system would get Oyerhsuling FRO
1 testion, however, came to the rescue by spTing-
ing vote, and carrying it too, on the propose
tiop to place ties and coffee, On the free lat thus
rendering it inexpedient to make any further
material reduction il the revenue. The CHAR
man Of the finance committee wazel exceeding
wroth AZ this high -handed encroschment on ME
reserved tights, and esssyed to serve rice IN the
ZANE way. by way of revenge, bat the rice in
tereft proved too strong for him. Then came
petition from several hundred Of our polygam-
one sisters Of Salt Lake, against the admission
Of Utah as a state; more debate on the tsriti
the passs age Of Gen Logan's land bill in the IL
terest Of soldiers, and the customary aijourr-
rnent over Saturday,,
The House has kept hammeging away at the
Post Office appropriations, INDUCING IN sharp
fight over the proposition to increase the subsidy
to the Pacific mail steamers between The Uuitei
States and Japan. After developing an amount
# strength tha, gave promise Of SUCCESS, the
measure vss finally LIST by an exceedingly close
vcte.
The gaIlAutry Of the House na' been again put
to the test by another memorial from the strong
minded sisters. It is from California this time.
which fact gave Mr. Sergeant an opportunity TO
declare himself in full sympathy with the gentle
creatures.
The army all navy appropriation 5i..s came
IN for share Of attention. furnishing Mr. Beck
Of Kentucky an opportunity 30 declare once
more his uual;erabe determination not TO yo.e
another d1llsr until be ee,s reliable Information
as to the disposition made Of the condemned
oauteeus, hsyersScks, hsmmocks, &c, We bal
on hand a; the close Of the late unFleasantness.
Asususl, some member also unfoiiel place for
reducing she grades 1t would really soon SO
though something had been forgotten if we 'houll
get through ses,ion vithou; a proposition to
disturb the grade, pay or numbers Of these two
brorches Of the government service. Saturday,
as usu,l vas devoted 70 DEBATE on subjects SUP
uo-ei 10 interest distant clnstitent'.
Several Of the investigating committee, are
winding up their afairs and Will shortly tell in
print what they know about iai4uity. Mr.
Schurz thought the witnesses on the French
arms questieu we're quite toe much inclined TO
cover up the Ems Of the administration, 60 went
ea the witnets s.aui himself Hehas beer reaij
&c srearfr more than Wosk. Investigation
is IN The way Of becoming fne art The fret
,hirg committee does n1v after calling the roll
Of irs numbers, isto despatch note 90 the
chief s.ariare7 in the case inviting him % ap-
pear with BIS witnesse, and prove MS charge'
Unler this rule the editor Of the New York Sun
lss jlst been invited to apqear before The c-m-
.a:t;se investigating navy matters, and make
oath to the statements that have appeared il
thar paper I, might ebeke zone people to DO
,his but be has become harieaei AMI vii, make
nothing gift
Oar Jaqsuese friends 81, iuius.ri51='y &C.
quiriug knowledge Of our institutions Inc
Smithsonian Institution and the Observatory,
they aud particularly attractive. a party o.
-hcm have made the t5ur o; our public schools.
under tae escort Of Gen. Eaton, Co;nmiss 1ner Of
Education. On Saturday general alarm was
sounded 10 show them hos rgoup,ly cur IRE
department, coul3 be brought into requisition.
Prince lvakurs became So much interested in
watching .ie streams e water poured on the
imae.uiry frc. tina, be wandered where the devs
we're falling fat, AMI was yet 70 the skin.
A sharp coutes, is row going en- here between
two rivsl railroad interests, :o- the inside ir1ct
ia tie matter Of DEPOT accoum7iations in this
city, and the Eetuit vii probably be grand
tuioa depot south Of the avenue
Yours,