Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-13
Our Washington Letter.

MossrS Editors President Hayes sent another
veto to the Capitol on Wednesday, this time with
holding his approval of the bill authorizing a
special timberthef session Of the circuit court for
the southern district Of Mississippi, the passage
of which by the Senate after an animated discus
sion between Edmunds and Blaine was referred
to in our last letter These
DEpREDATioNs ON PUBLIC LANDS
have become so common in some parts of the
country rs to give the thieves almost right to
defy the law that IL used to bring them TO Justice
Consequently when Secretary Schurz set about
the business OF arresting the guilty parties great
hue and cry was immediat ly raised and injus-
tice and oppression is charged against the Secre-
tary, because, forsooth he had that courage to do
his duty which his predecessors have failed to
show The amount Of sympathy shown by Con-
gress, as for example the speech made by Blaine
in defense of the thieves and attacking the secre-
tary, is almost incredible to believe, but 1t is now
hoped that the House, at least, having less spite
against the administration than the Senate, will
look the matter over and duly consider the right
and wrong of the case as well rs the excellent
reasons given by the President in vetong the bill
The crooked" wood-choppers ought to begin to
believe that attention is being called to their case
and they stand an even chance Of being dealt with
as were their brothers the crooked" whiskey
men The next day after the veto had been sent
in, the telegraph brought information that one of
the agents of the Interior Department had been
shot In Alabama for his zeal in tracking these
thieves The log cases in that and neighboring
states, since the claims of the people have been
advocated in Congress, have increased in magni-
tude, while the people in the timber sections de-
clare their determination not to submit to gov
eminent authority, but to kill any officer that
comes among them. The Secretary, however, is
determined, on his part, that the laws shall be
upheld and vigorous measures shall be used to
that end. The opposition of Congress is the worst
hindrance which he has to contend with
FINANCIAL DISCUSSIONS
are still the order Of the day in Congress and are
likely to continue yet for some time. senator
Beck, of Kentucky, had up his resolution in the
Senate on Thursday, in relation to the imposition
Of taxes for the purpose of creating sinking fund
for the eXtnguishment Of a portion of the public
debt. His resolution instructs Congress not to
provide for the payment, deeming it unnecessary
and inexpedient. Mr.. Beck contended that by
the mode of keeping accounts at the Treasury an
excess of thirty-seven millions has been carried to
the credit of the sinking fund.- and that in the
present depressed condition of the industries this
amount should be removed from the burden of
taxation. lie also charged that Senators Morrill,
and Dawes were responsible for this burden i'm
posed upon the people at this time Mr. Morrill,
replied that the speech of the Senator sounded
strange, coming from the state once represented
by Henry Clay. lie argued that the resolution
was of grave import and ON his motion it was re-
ferred to the finance committee
In the House the principal excitement of the
week has grown out Of the antagonistic speeches
of Judge Kelley, of Pennsylvania, and General
| Garfield. These two gentlemen represent the two
| elements of the financial question in the House
the Judge being the champion of imitation and
| the General Of hard money. Judge Kelley took
up the speech made By Garfield last November
| against the advocacy of paper money and pro-
ceeded 10 rdcule it in the biterest and most con-
temptuous manner. The next day Garfield re-
piled in his best vein, giving the veteran member
a severe drubbing which, for various reasons,
was greatly relished by the members The Gen
erIl was repeatedly applauded and when he
closed the members crowded around him with
congratulations in such numbers that it was fully
five minutes before business could proceed
THE BUSINESS OF CONGRESS
is not far behind as has oftentimes been the
case at this date. 1t is believed by the Speaker
and many others that an adjournment can be had
sometime during June. The investigating COM
mittees have now got ready to work upon the diff
ferent departments, and some interesting develop
ments promised. Each committee is allowed
an expert" by which term is meant person
who is supposed to know all about the depart
ments to be investigated and Of all alleged frauds
to be unearthed. These persons are in most cases
discharged clerks who have been hanging about
the Capitol clamoring for work and pretending
they can give the Democratic House much in
formation which will be of service to the minority
in party sense just how much it will amount
to remains to be seen.
The bill granting pensions to soldiers of the wal
OF 1912, which has been before the House for some
time, aud been earnestly antagonized by many
members for the reason that it includes numerou.
Confederate soldiers in its provisions has finally
passed the House by a vote of two hundred and
seventeen yeas to twenty-one nays. Among those
who voted nay were Messrs Joyce and Denison OF
Vermont, Cox of Ohio, Baker and Hunter of In
diana.
The joint resolution offered by Colonel Joyce
early in the session, declaring forfeiture of lane
grants to railways where the conditions of thos,
grants have not been met, has been the source
much comment and Of general approval The lit
tie criticism which it has ELECTED has been nethe
intelligent nor creditable. The Commissioner o
the General Land office cordially approves of tn,
measure, and adds many wise reasons why Il
should pass.
SOCIETY AND PERSONAL
M
son, on Saturday last, was one of the largest eve
held, by day, in the White House. All the ladie
Of the Cabinet assisted Mrs Hayes in receiving OF