Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-02-18
FOrty-Sixth Congress.

The purpose OF the majority in congress seems
to be to maintain policy Of mastery mac
tlvity." Considering the time and money thus
far expended, and comparing them with the prac-
tical and beneficial results achieved or promised
this session Of congress is failure. One might
as well try to "extract sunbeams from cucum-
bers as to obtain ray of light and promise
from the deliberations Of "A body of men with the
majority of whom NUNS the word" and who
are pursuing their legislative labors in desuitory
way, apparently to avoid making a record that
may initiate against political party in the on
coming presidential race.
TUESDAY, February 10th.-The interoceanic
canal question before the senate, in contn-
uance Of the discussion Of General Gordon's res
olution for a special committee on that question.
Our treaty relations with Nicaragua seem to be at
loose ends. The United States seems to be COM
mitted to a canal via Nicaragua, II any, and APP
parently the first thing to do Is to negotiate new
treaty with that power. Senator Mcdonald is en-
cheering bill in the interest OF several western
states who are log-rollng in unison for the pay
ment of five per cent on the land which has been
located within their respective limits by military
scrip and land warrants estimating the value OF
the land at 81 % per acre. II this bill becomes
go to the states named, eighteen in number
Senator Edmunds secured the opportunity TO show
up the weak points OF the bill in decidedly un-
favorable light, and replied to interruptions by
senators OF the states interested till the hour OF
adjournment arrived. In the house Reagan's in.
terstate commerce bill was reported unfavorably
by the commerce committee by a vote of eight to
seven. The Indian committee heard Secretary
Schurz on the bill to allot lands to the Indians in
severaty Its object is to consolidate the Indians,
and dispose OF any surplus reservation lands, the
proceeds TO be invested in bonds for the benefit
OF the Indians.
WEDNESDAY, February llth.--In the senate Mr..
Edmunds concluded his argument against the five
per cent bounty land bill, which will probably be
passed, although some of the Democratic senators
hesitate to saddle the party with the responsible
ity OF the grab. An exciting discussion was had
over the presidents nominations for census SUI
pervsors. On the ground taken by the Demo-
Gratis, that in districts represented by Democratic
congressman, Democratic supervisors should be
nominated, the entire batch was rejected because
they were all Republicans, that the president may
make new deal The house resumed the ever
lasting discussion Of the rules, which was without
single interesting incident.
THURSDAY, February l2th.--The house was asked
to fix a day for the consideration OF MIR. Finleys
bill to equalize the bounties OF soldiers. The bill
provides bounty OF IS 33s per month for service
from the lst OF April 1861, to the 10Th OF July,
i865-all previous bounties received to be de
Quoted Ii is estimated that more than 500, 0O0,-
900 and an extra force Of two hundred and fifty
clerks will be needed il this bill passes. The ways
s-sNN
ana means committee nave agreed 10 fepor, oi''
ior reiunaihg Tue hVe ana SIX per cent oonus que
III 1901 with three ana one-naii per cent oohd'
interest payable quarterly wh'en was n"ue re'
aeeniaoie ai'er twenty years ana payable aoso-
au.ey a''ef iof'y years the REMAINDER eI'o'o''-
w. !" Do refunded IN treasury notes bearing iour
per cent interest A long ana pi''ef deoa'e ioi-