Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-02-23

WAsHiNGToS, d. C., February l9th, 1876
liesSrs Editors Congress is seemingly en-
deayorng to get through the session by doing as
little work as possible, judging from the very lit
tie amount OF business it has transacted thus far,
and the eagerness with which an opportunity is
grasped to adjourn over n day or two. The Senate
adjourned over from Thursday to Monday and
might as well do it as not for they are doing alb
solutely nothing, They should not be blamed for
this, as much as should the committees Of the
House, who have, as yet, given the Senate but
very little to do There are two or three questions
before the Senate, however, which they should Mt
once dispose Of and the delay Of which is their
own fault One of these is the Pnchback case
The vote upon the admission of Pinchbaek as a
Senator from Louisiana will undoubtedly be
very close, and consequently Senator Morton and
other friends Of the would-be Senator are fearful
Of trying the main question. 1t has been put off
several times on account Of the absence Of some
Of the Senators, and just now is no nearer a de-
cisiOn than it was three months ago Senator
Burnside is still detained in Rhode Island by the
serious illness of his wife Senator Logan is also
unable TO attend to his senatorial duties from
similar reason--though his wife is now considered
out of danger. while Senator Mitchell is, himself
quite i'll with pneumonia and Senator Sharon, Of
Nevada, has not as yet put in an appearance
These Senators must be in their seats again be-
fore vote is taken. Pinchbac1 is here in propria
pe'song and his case is still interesting as ever
to the disnterested observer. In 1852 this now
famous African raised company of his own
color, under the authority Of Gen Butler, and en-.
tered the service Of the Union, where he served a
year, when his position became uncomfortable
from the fact that the other oficers of the regi-
ment were white. He therefore resigned. and
was honorably mustered out Soon after this he
raised another company, but was refused a com
mission by Major General Banks, who was then
in command, because the law did not authorize
the commissioning OF a colored man Previous to
his career in the army, Pinchbaek gained some
little notoriety from personal difficulty in which
he was engaged with his brotherin-law, in which
the latter was wounded and Pinchback was
thrown into the workhouse on a charge Of assault
and battery. In order TO levy blackmail upon
him, the parties who had him arrested tried to
keep him in prison, offering to release him II he
would pay five hundred dollars When the mill.
tary authorities heard Of the matter. however
they released him. After the war Plnchbacls be-
came successfully member Of the legislature.
'heh iiN"NNnAhehoNtInut Oh the state and finally
elected to the United States senate-the LEGALITY
of tho latter election being now the subject Of
dispute.
On Thursday Speaker Kerr was granted leave
of absence until next Tuesday, with view OF 90
ing to New York for the purpose Of reeupemtion
In health through medical advice, and accordingly
Hon Samuel S Cox was elected speaker pro TEN,
This is the first time in the history Of the govern.
ment that such thing has occurred as the utter
vacation OF the chair by the speaker Of the House
Cox was elected with but very little opposition.
though 1t is said that it was the wish of MFR Kerr
that Mr. blackburn, of Kentucky, should have
the place, and his name was mentioned nv Mr.
Clymer, OF Pennsylvania, as a substitute to that NJ
Cox. Mr., Blackburn is, however, a sort of unre-
constructed rebel, and the wisest among the demo-
ocrats suggested to the speaker that the anatbe-
mas OF the press would be directed toward him
should he press such desire, and that thew had
already received their fill Of that sort Of medicine
II would not do either, to call Mr.. Hoskins of
New York. or Mr.. iendee, Of Vermont 10 the
chan, both OF whom have shown admirable fit
ness Tor tue place during the session. because thew
were hepuo'ieans' and so Sunset Cox, who has to
stand almost on tiptoe to see over the desk was
honored by the vacant place, to which he has
asparea 'of u long time, Mr. Kerrs health is quite
preearious and should he not succeed In obtaining
the desired relief in New York, he win hardly be