Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-06-26
From Our Regular Correspondent. J
Washington Letter.

Although the business of the session was
practically finished between one and two
O'Clock on Thursday morning when the
sundry civil Ppropr iation bill passed the
senate, yet the formal announcement OF
the sine die adjournment was delayed until
seven clock, A. NJ, on account of the
delay in enrolling the bill, which is very
voluminous. No business of Importance
was done after the passage of the bill, the
senate quietly closing its doors in cxecu-
tive session, which was mere cover to
enable senators to take their ease while in
the house. The time after midnight was
spent in alternate short sessions and longer
recesses, the latter being devoted by a
portion of the members to sport and song |
Just before three o'clock Mr. Turney of
Pennsylvania moved an amendment to the
constitution as an offset to that of Conger
submitted earlier in the evening, provid-
ing that no claims should be paid by the
government for property taken and used
by the United States troops for the mainte-
nance of the Union during the war of the
rebellion. At half-past three Mr.. Clymer
moved q recess till half past four, and this
motion was fiibustered for nearly an hour
Mr.. Springer was in the chair at the time.
and resisted the motion on the ground that
he was bound by common understanding
among members 10 recognize gentlemen
for suspension of rules. Mr.. Dean, mem
Der Of Mr.. Springer's committee on expen-
in bill to provide an appropriation to pay
the expenses of she summer session of that
committee while examining witnesses. AT
half-past four messenger was received
from the senate announcing II further eX-
tension of time of adjournment to seven,
A. NJ, 10 which the house concurred After
this there was another long recess, which
was taken advantage of by both houses to
take a rest. Members lounged in the cloak
rooms and chatted and slept. AT AS the
enrolled sundry civil bill was received in
the house and signed by the speaker, and
| in less than five minutes became II law.
| The speaker then made his usual valedic-
tory and at A. NJ, both houses adjourned.
The night was, on the whole, dull and
embarrassing. The crowds left the galleries
after one o'clock. The mere noise and
confusion on the floor of the house was
nothing 10 keep one awake during the
first recess, from half-past one to two A.
NJ. A number of pages and II few members
organized themselves into glee club and
sang all the songs they knew to the amuse-
ment of the lockers on. About night fall
the galleries of the house gradually began
to fill up,and two or three hours later they
became crammed to almost a suhocating
degree. On the floor below members
rushed about shouting at the tops of their
voices, buttonholing their fellow members
and resortng to all sorts Of parliamentary
legerdemain in order to carry their points.
The senate was in executive session good
part of the time. and considerable delay
was experienced in regard to the final
passage of the court appropriation bill.
One of the most interesting incidents of
the executive session of the senate was
the battle over Ex-Governor Fenton S
nomination AS monetary commissioner,
AT first he was rejected and his two asso.
ciates confirmed. The president then
nominated Charles B. Lawrence, and then
withdrew the name and sent back Cover.
nor Fenton's. Mr.. Conkling came in and
advocated Governor Fenton so earnestly
that Il change of sentiment took place
and the nomination was confirmed. Vote.
of thanks to Vice President Wheeler anc
Mr.. Ferry were passed by the senate
Gradually the throng melted out from
the galleries, and by o'clock they wer,
almost deserted. Half an hour later
while the roll was being called, the speak
er ordered it to be suspended in order t.
have the time Of the final adjournment ex
tended. The house was in so great disor
der that it was utterly impossible for bust
ness to be transacted. The speaker hat
pounded his desk until he had made II hol
in it. The sergeant-at-arms went repeat
edly about the hall bearing the mace, bu
the members remained in their seats onl
while he was near them. As he passe
through the aises he WAS pclted witt
loose documents and paper wads. In tn
midst of the confusion Mr.. Clymer an
several others moved recess, but til
acting speaker refused to recognize ther
and they proposed to appeal but no appei
was entertained.
To any one familiar with Washingto
legislation during the last dozen years th
I'd presence of Sam Ward during the fin,
t. moments of the session will be familiu
Il figure. He declares, and with gref
earnestness. mingled with no small degre
IS of PRIDE that he has not dimes worth
r. interest in the legislation of the late COZ
to gress. Still, he was on hand last nigl
10 with a magnificent collation., which VIZ
o laid out in the room of the committee o
appropriations, That the edibles and e.
,r pecially drinkables were freely partake
er of, it is scarcely necessary to mention.
Id General Noyes, our minister to Franc
I'd and who is summoned to testify before til
to Potter committee, arrived here from Ne
re York couple of days ago, but will n,
ID be examined probably for several days.
lie the mean lime he will be fully informe
by Mr.. Hiscock, of the Florida sub.con
to mittee, of the evidence of McLin an
n. others affecting him. McLin testified thu
Of Governor Stearns was instrumental /
le getting up the fraudulent returns frol