Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-21
FOrty-Seyenth Congress.

TUESDAY, Dec. 13.-In the senate Mr.. Edmunds
offered resolution calling for all the correspon-
dence OF the Chii-Peru complication. Mr.. PEN
dleton advocated at length his bill to regulate and
improve the civil service. The bill provides for
competitive examinations stipulates that all Sc
ections for Office shall be made from those graded
highest as the result Of these examinations that
original entrance to the public service shall be at
the lowest grade that there shall be a period Of
probation before any absolute appointment that
promotion shall be from the lower grades TO the
higher on the basis Of merit and competition (; re-
eves officers from any obligation to contribute to
political funds, or to the rendering Of political
vice, and forbids removals for refusals to do so,
maintains that person in the service has the right
TO use his official authority influence TO coerce
the political action Of any person. and provides that
there shall be non-compettive examinations when
competition may not BIO found practicable Mr.
Dawes advocated the bill and Mr.. Hill OF Georgia
made bitter speech against the republican party
Mr.. Voorhees, offered joint resolution proposing
an amendment to the Constitution providing that
all postmasters, revenue collectors judges, marsh
ais, and United States district attorneys for the
district courts Of the United States, shall be
elected by the people Of the states In which their
duties are to be performed, and In such manner
as the legislatures Of the states shall provide A
large number OF bills was introduced in the
house.
WEDNESDAY, December IA large number OF
bills were introduced in the senate, and Messrs.
Beck, Maxey and Anthony discussed the question
Of succession to the presidency in the event Of the
death disability Of both the president and vice.
president The house was not in session.
THURSDAY, December 15.-The Sherman three
per cent refunding bill was introduced In the
senate, and will be called up for considera-
ton after the holidays. The debate on the presi-
dental succession question continued, Messrs.
Garland, Coke and Jones speaking on the subject.
FRIDAY, December 16.-In the senate Mr.. Hoar' "a
resolution for the appointment OF a special COM
mittee on the woman suffrage question was fur
Their discussed. A final vote on the proposition
was not taken The Encouragement Of the COM
mttees was announced, and the resolution to re-
| fer to the finance committee that part Of the
presidents message relating to the repeal Of the
laws authorizing silver coinage and the issue OF
| silver certificates was adopted. Eight hundred
and sixty-seven bills were introduced in the house
and a joint resolution was adopted providing for
a recess Of both houses from Wednesday next un
til the 9th Of January. Both branches adjourned
until Monday.
MONDAY, December 10-The debate on thu
presidential succession question was terminated
in the senate, and the pending resolution, in.
structing the judiciary committee to inquire ant
report legislation on the subject, was referred t.
that committee. In executive session the nomi
nations Of Messrs. Benjamin H. Brewster as at
torney-general and J. c. Bancroft Davis as frs
assistant secretary Of state were confirmed
There were 500 bills introduced In tn house. Tn
bill granting the ranking privilege to the widow
Of the late President Garfield was passed, and
resolution adopted for the appointment OF sc
lect committee on the public health. The hous
| adjourned until Wednesday.