Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-06-29
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS-

After u session of six months congress
adjourned last Tuesday, and brief re-
sumo of its proceedings may be of inter
est to our readers. At the opening of
the session, many members having dis
cerned the signs of the times. desired to
put themselves right before the country
on the salary grab matter, and they pro-
ceeded at once to put their salaries
where they were before the increase, and
many paid into the Treasury what they
had Oyer-drawn. The absorbing ques-
tion of finance claimed attention, and
large number of bills were presented,
which were thought by the originators
to afford relief in the present money
stringency and business depression of
the country. 1t was soon ascertained
that great differences of opinion existed
on this question, and that the difference
was more of sectional than of party
nature-the West favOring expansion,
while the East wished to return to spe-
Gle. After deal of wrangling and
months of debate, compromise measure
was adopted, which left the matter much
as it was found, only that the legal ten
der, and the national bank circulation
was each increased, so that an initiation
of several millions was the result. The
civil rights bill which Sumner introduce
ed early in the session, has gone over to
be acted upon when congress assemblies
next winter The insurance companies
undertook to get q law passed, which
should give them portion of the mon
ey awarded to the merchantmen of the
United States, on account of the depre-
. dations of the rebel cruisers but they
failed, and the money will be divided
among the owners of vessels and mer-
chandise.
The old moiety bill, so called, was re-
pealed and substitute made which is
more satisfactory to the importer, and
perhaps will give him better chance to
evade the law. The appropriations for
various purposes are reduced about $780,
100000 from those of last year. No i'm
portant changes have been made in the
tariff. The question of legislation in
regard to transportation, remains with
out having been acted upon. Territories
asking admission have not been admit
ted. The Arkansas troubles have not
been acted upon by congress, but com
mittee has been made to investigate the
matter. We have not been able to fol
low the newspaper postage bill through
all its various courses, and do not know
to-day how it was finally left, but thinl
that papers 60 free IN counties wher
they are published, and for two cents
pound, if prepared, without the county
Much private and minor legislation ha
been done, and the whole session ha
been busy one, if not distinguished b
any extremely important measures. Thi
session has undone much evil legislatio
of the past, and has made some needle
reforms. No plundering schemes of ring
and lobbyists are believed to have bee
successful. On the whole, the doing
of this session are much better tina
those of the last, and the people can fe,
that their disapproval of some of til
acts of their representatives to congrel
has had a beneficial effect on their lat
proceedings. 1t will be safe to hold IL
reins tightly little longer, and to e,
ercise great care in the future selectiC
OF candidates for congress, if we woul
be satisfactorily represented in that bod