Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-15

he has made up for II during this winter ne every
one knows lie may believe himself proof against
public opinion, hut society knows better Sec.
retaries Fish and Chandler arc abundantly able IA
hold receptions and give grand parties every night
while the other members Of the Cabinet believe
they must do the same, even II they have to do il
on eight thousand year. General Belknap and
his wife arc both SNOWY and ambitious to shine
but their star has set, probably forever secre-
tary Taft has arrived, but whether he has wife
is not generally known
TnR WEEK N CONGRESS
has been one OF the most exciting Of the session.
Personal explanations have been the order nearly
every day on the democratic sde-the three dem
ocrats on the investigation committee, Clymer,
Blackburn and Robbins, having been kept cspe-
caly busy in explaining their actions. Some OF
their movements need still further explanation be-
fore they can be satisfactory to the country
ON Monday General Banning, Of Ohio, read a
speech in defense Of the military committee Of the
House. in which he cndeavored vainly to prove
that the ex-confedemtes in Congress were the only
friends Of the Union soldier Mr. Bucxner got in
a resolution to resusctate the corpse OF the safe
burglary affair, and Mr.. Knott presented his rcso-
luton to investigate Attorney General Perrepont
on the Babcock trial which, by the way, will
amount to nothing Mr. Holman had ready his
resolution for the repeal Of the act for resumption
Of specie payments, but the House adjourned be-
fore he could offer Il. The democrats are greatly
divided on this question, and have put OF its
consideration until they are through with the
Investigations
Tuesday was the most exciting day Of the week
While the Senate was engaged in highly impor-
tant discussion ON bugology the House was in the
midst OF au exciting debate brought about by the
Belknap case. Mr., Clymer had refused to give
the grand jury Of the District the papers on which
they were to indict Bcknap and after the morn
ing hour he gave his reasons therefor, and asked
the pleasure Of the House in the matter His ac-
ton, ~ chairman Of the committee who inyes:i-
gated Belknap, was at once attacked by Mr..
Blaine, who had been watching for an opportunity
to have word ever since the testimony came
out, and who now believed he had found n very
vulnerable point for an attack. The result Of the
whole day debate proved, we think, that Blaine,
for once was mistaken In his modus operdaii.
lie succeeded in vanquishing Clymer, it IL true,
but was in turn defeated, later, in his argument
that the Republicans had not made themselves
sufficiently prominent in demanding the punish
ment Of Delknap, whereas 1t was clearly acknowl.
edged by Lamar and other democrats, during the
debate, that the Republicans in the House had not
been behind their own party in their zeal in that
direction. The attempt to make party capita
over Belknaps shame on either side, will not bS
a success, as it is not party question and canno
be made so. The resolution Of Mr.. Lamar direct
ing the committee to disregard the mandate Of thu
court, was passed.
Wednesday was made memorable in the Senate
by the adoption Of Mr. Ednuuds' amendment re
jecting Pinchback : claim 10 a seat in the Senate
This result was brought about principally through
the eifoits aud influence Of the two Vermont Sen
ators, and proved that the influence Of Senate
Morton is not so great as 1t has been sometime
considered.
To-day the judicial and legislative appropriated
bill has been under discussion. sam Randall, tn
chairman Of the appropriations committee, VIII
has been especially loud in his cries for rotrench
ment and reform, was brought to task by MI
White, Of Kentlcky, on the question Of the back
salary grab, which Randall had so strongly favored
Randall became greatly enraged at the laughte
which WAS caused at his expense and told Nj
White it was none OF his business answe
which will, no Doubt be satisfactory to the couI
try The report Of the appropriations committe
must be considered in future letter