Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-12

hNtNo EutfOFN 49, nat poItiou VI wv WON ~
which Congress has been in session has been
given mp almost entirely TO debate, although the
House has been assembled but two days, and the
Senate three Several OF the subjects which have
been under consideration arc Of national impor-
lance, and will take up much time during the bal
ance Of the session before they arc settled. The
most important thing done In the Senate during
the week, was the introduction Of bill by sona-
tor Morrill,, Of Vermont, amendatory Of the re-
sumption act Of July 18th, 1875. 1t provides for
the retirement Of legal tenders, by the sale Of the
fory-ycar four or four and onc-half per cent
bonds makes gold and silver the only legal ten
der for contracts made after January ist, 1873,
and grades the reserves Of national banks into q
coin reserve commencing January lst 1877, and
after October ist 1873, they are to hold three
fourths OF their reserve in coin.
on Thursday Mr. Morrill, made the best speech
Of the session. in advocacy Of the bill introduced
by him the day before lie set forth the adyan-
tages to be gained In the work Of specie rcsump-
ton by his proposed funding Of the grccnhachs,
first promising the necessity Of enacting supple
mental legislation 10 carry out the act Of January
1875 lie urged the paramount reasons why the
country should return, as speedily as possible, to
specie payment, and dilated at length on II. pros
pedty as proof Of H. ability to do so. lie argued
in nm able manner, against the convertible 3Gj
bond theory, which, he said, was dead when
it was born, aud discussed the arguments in favor
Of imitation with much Of his characteristic wit and
sound logic, treating them not only as ridiculous
theories, but also as unsound and pernicious. lie
enlarged upon the national bank system, discussed
the general subject Of finance and the circulating
nedium, and strongly protested against an ire
deemable paper currency demoralizing in the
extreme. When the government forced upon the
people paper dollar worth only eighty-hyo cents,
how could you expect the people, he asked, To be
any more honest in their business translctions2
The speech closed with an earnest appeal to re-
turn TO the money OF the Constitution.
Although tho financial question Is generally
considered especially dry and devoid Of interest
il was made on this occasion thoroughly comprc-
hcnsive to all minds, and especially interesting
aud instructive by the inimitlhle manner in which
it was treated As it had been announced in the
morning papers that the Senator would speak
upon his fayorite subject that day, a large crowd
assembled, and the galleries were packed by at
tentive listeners A majority Of the Senators
too, were In their places throughout the speech,
and seemed intent upon the subject as presented
Senators Anthony, Edmunds Cameron and era
gin. who sit nearest Mr. Morrill,, were noticeable
auditors, ~ were also Senators sherman Howe
and General Burnside on the Republican side and
Thurman, Bayard, Bogy and Eaton on the demo-
cratic side Conllins was strutiing back and
forth in the rear Of the decks, and Morton was
conspicuous by his absence Whoever delibef
atey considered that Conlng was handsome
| O. 1. A..
| pish he Is, but good looking he is not The best
| looking man IN the Senate, we think is General
| Burnside, who looks even frcshcr, iaicF and
franker than those familiar pictures oihim during
| the war gave evidence Ills eye always ON the
| picture aud he seems 10 watch carefully the
routine of business on hand senator anthony
has one OF the most pleasant faces In the Senate,
full of genial good humor while General Powell
Clayton, Of Arkansas, who lost an arm IN the
Onion army, aud who sits In front of Thurman on
the democratic side has decidedly dashing mill
.tary air, that Is quite captivating
The debate which followed tho speech Of Scna-
tor Morrill, was participated in by the leading
men on both sides Of the House and was not only
Of great interest to the galleries but became quite
exciting and personal, before it closed The bin
was persistently opposed by the democratic Sena-
tors, notably by Thurman, Bogy, Eaton and Bay
ard while it was ably supported by Edmunds and
Sherman. Mr.. Eaton, OF Connecticut, was n sur
prise to many, in that he treated the measure OF
specie payments in such a iair-minded manner
although not iayoring the measures proposed by
the Morrill, bill lie Is a man small IT stature and
yet Of quite commanding presence; his voice is
clear and forcibe, and has an earnest ring about
il that falls pleasantly upon the ear Could his
traitorous during the war be forgotten, he
might yet become a power in the Senate lie
stated that he was in favor Of a return to speci,
payment, although he was not prepared either tc
favor or oppose the bill offered, at the present
time but should give his views hereafter II,
was followed by Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, who is e.
pecially at home in dry statistics, aud who's,
voice and tone Of speech is monotonous aud unin
teresting. lie gave much valuable information
which reads, when printed, like the writing. Of
finished oracle. tit then followed between I'd
munds and Thurman which was cxceedingl,
spicy in regard to the financial status Of the tw,
political parties Mr.. Edmnnds claimed that th,
democratic party, when It came to the test, woulc
occupy the same attitude it did during the wal
against the rebelion--it was very much in fayo
Of putting it down, and very much opposed to tax
ing any steps to do it, This brought the eadin.
democratic Senator to his feet, who styled th,
last remark Of Mr. Edmunds as the poor 10,
Millcrism Of his party" lie then went on, wax
ing warmer and wnthier. TO defend bis party from
the attack made uponit lie was followed an,
championed by Bogy and Bayard in the sam,
strain Of party praise Mr. Bogy, like his name
is entirely too plain and unattractiyc, both il
face aud manner, 10 be brilliant or interesting
and was listened to as il under protest, on al
sides Mr. Dayard lacks the power Of speech an,
the flow Of language possessed by Thurman O
Eaton. The bill was finally referred to the finance
committee, as requested by the author and viii
be given further consideration at no distant DAY
when it is hoped the democrats will show thei
hands, aud either submit gracefully To the nevi
table, or be laid Fat by the large majority asans
them.
We found the House, the same day, wran
Cling over several petty questions in lieu Of an,
important business Sam Randall had the chat
and, in that position reminded us very forcibly
both in face and figure, Of Henry CLARK, Of Rut
land, particularly when the latter gets on thos
eyeglasses. Speaker Kerr was seated at the lei
Of the chair looking pale aud haggard
on Wednesday, Colonel Joyce introduced
!
a commission on the alcoholic liquor traffic, whcl
was duly referred to the judiciary committee
This is the same measure proposed in the petition
presented by the Colonel some weeks since, sigue,
by one thousand ladies Of Montpelier SOL
CELsrA.-1he Congregational church in thi
village does not look as though the members 0
lis society cared much for popularity, iudgin,
| ia ., af,,t.