Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-02-26


Capitol. There it has been one of the busiest
days Of the session.
THE CONGRESSIONAL SITUATION
at this date ten days before the session Closes is
interesting as ever, and daily growing more SO.
On Wednesday the House reached that point in
the legislative, executive and judicial appropria-
ton bill where it germane to offer the amend
ment providing for the repeal OF the jurors test
oath This is what the democrats have been
threatening to do for some time, and upon their
decision concerning it has seemed to hang the
question whether or no there will have to be an
extra session of Congress. This appropriation
bill, oe it remembered appropriates the money
by which all the departments of the government
are sustained, and upon its passage depends their
support after the thirtieth OF June next The i'm
portsnce of the prompt passage Of the bill is thus
readily understood. The amendment proposed
by the democrats is made to repeal, or do away
with, that law by which the greatest frauds at
the polls, perpetrated in the city of New York
and elsewhere are in great measure prevented.
On Wednesday, then, the contest SO long ex-
pected was commenced The Republicans at ence
objected to the amendment and the chairman,
Blackburn OF Kentucky, ruled it to be in order.
spirited debate occurred between Messrs. Hale
vi Maine Garfield OF Ohio, and Conger OF Mich
igan, on the part of the Republicans, and Messrs.
Southland of Ohio, Fernando Wood, Iynde OF
Wisconsin, and others, for the democrats. Mr.
Hale stated that the Republicans believed that II
the law was repealed large number of voters in
left to the mercy Of their prosecutors, and il the
ia TOD o ba lam
Republicans would resist it to the uttermost Nc
final decision was taken on that day, and, al
though Mr.. Hale has endeavored to bring up the
question ever SINCE the bill still hangs fire, for
the evident reason that the democrats are fearful
OF the result when pushed to the wall. 1t Is
learned that compact has been entered into by
from forty to fifty OF the House democrats t.
stand together to repeal the election laws or to
suffer the appropriation bill to fail. Those who
ought to know say that such course has been
decided upon by this little band Of revolutionists
who have determined that the federal election
laws must not be permitted to remain on the stat
ute books during the California election in Sep
TENDER next. California seems just now to he an
objective point for both parties. II the presiden
tal election be thrown into the House Of Repre-
septatives, the votes which will determine the
election Of President will be those from Califor
diana, a Greenbacker of Republican antecedents
and democratic affiliations, whose vote is the bal
ance OF power in the Indiana delegation. 1t is for
this reason that the more active managers of the
democratic party have determined that California
shall be carried at all hazards aud they believe
that one of the necessary means To that end is
the repeal of the election laws before the septem-
Der election The
DETERMINATION OF THE REPUBLICANS
remains substantially the same as declared by Mr..
Hale at the outset OF the fight on Wednesday
They will resist the measure long enough to fix
the attention of the country to the iniquity of the
measure, aud then allow the bill to go to the
| Senate. There will be open democratic oppos.
| ton to the proposed amendments in the Senate
| and In one or two cases from some OF the strong
est men on the democratic side. The demoraliZa
| ton among the democrats has in fact become SC
| great that the question is under consideration AZ
| to the point at which they ought to yield Thi'
accounts for their unwillingness to test the ques
| ton in the House
Much important legislation still remains to be
accomplished before the fourth of March Only
| five OF the twelve regular appropriation bills have
| as yet received final ,ction. They are the pen
sion, military, academy, consular and diplomatic
indian and naval bills. The post-otiice appropra.
| ton bill has passed both houses but is now on
| the speakers table awaiting action on Senate
amendments The fertilization bill is In commit,
tee of conference, Among the other important
measures still pending are the internal reyenu,
| bill, the Chinese immigration bill the bill for tn,
revision Of the patent laws, the bill extending tn,
| time for the completion Of the Northern Pacific
railroad the bill for the distribution OF the Genev,
| award the steamboat and interstate commerce.
| bills Provision must also be made to pay th,
arrearages of pensions under the recently enacte,
law, and to meet Secretary Sherman's anticipated
deficit in the revenues, The House on Monday
by vote Of one hundred and seventy eight yea
to sixty-six nays, passed bill appropriatinG
twenty seven millions Of dollars for the paymen
Of the claims under the arrears OF the pensions bill
| Nearly all the Southern democrats voted agans
| 1t, and Gen Bragg OF Wisconsin was one of th'
| Northern democrats who voted nay. The Senat
have not yet acted upon it 1t is thought this ap
preparation will pay all claims now due and al
that may arise before the first of July, 1880 II
fact all claims will be filed before that date, :,
that no other appropriation will be required.
| Il ia evident that both houses begin 10 realiz
the shortness OF the time allotted for them 10 d
the business required The House meet at tel
oclock on Monday aud will probably hold even
ing sessions throughout the week There Ia
been altogether too much talk this session and To
little work.
Personal AND POLITICAL.
| Hon Zach Chandler was sworn In AS Senate
| In place OF Christianey this morning lie took n
| palms To conceal his delight at returning again /
the Chamber, and was warmly greeted by his oil
friends on both sides
There is a touch Of unpleasantness between III
National Democratic and Congress Can
paign Committees. The former is for Tilden
nomination In 1880 while the latter favor Senate
| Thurman.
The Butler-Corbin case comes up in the senai
! on Monday next Sol