Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-02-09
FOrty-sixth Congress.

WEDNESDAY. February IA bill was reported
to the senate appropriating 100000 for the pur-
chase Of vessel to search for the steamer Jean
cite, supposed to be lost icebound in the Allan
tic regions. A protracted debate occurred On the
Morgan electoral count resolutions, and they
were finally adopted by a UiUd roce vote The
house passed joint resolution approprhting
$40, 900 to aid in the erection OF monument in
commemoration Of the battle Of Bennington. A
message was received from the president t,ans-
hitting the report Of the Crook Indian commits
sion. A message was also received from the
president recommending an appropriation OF
500, 900 for the establishment Of naval stations
on the American isthmus. The District Of Co.
lumbia appropriation bill was passed, and the leg.
islative, judicial and executive appropriation bill
was reported. The Cox apportonment bill was
taken up, and Mr. Cox spoke at length in its sup.
port.
THURSDAY, February 3.-In the senate the Nor
gan concurrent resolution declaring the president
OF the senate not constitutionally invested with
the right to count the votes Of electors for presi
dent and vice-president, so as to determine what
votes shall be received and counted or what votes
shall be rejected, was debated at length. When
the vote was taken upon Its adoption twenty
democrats voted in the Affirmative and,one In the
negative. All the republicans except Mr.. Conk-
ling (who voted for the resolution) abstained from
voting, leaving the senate without a quorum.
Foreseeing a disposition on the part Of the repub-
lcans to obstruct the passage Of the resolution at
Mr.. Morgan's suggestion, an adjournment was
taken. Nearly the entire session of the house
was occupied in discussing the Cox apportionment
bill, without, however, reaching vote. The
river and harbor bill (approprfating about SILL
0OO,O0O) was reported and recommtted to the
commerce committee.
FRIDAY, February 4.-The senate passed the
Morgan resolution, denying the right of the vice
president to count the electoral votes for president
and vice president of the United States, with an
amendment declaring that ''it is the duty of con-
gress without delay to institute measures to exc
cute the due and orderly performance of said duty
in the future" The finance committee reported
the house refundng bill In an amended form. A
bill appropriatng $4,000 to send vessel in
search OF the missing Arctic steamer Jeanette
was passed, and the pension appropriation bill
was discussed. =. The house. in committee of the
whole, discussed the pension appropriation bill,
finally laying 1t aside with a favorable recommen-
dation. Several relief bills were passed, and the
bill for the relief Of Mrs. f. p. Page, which ex-
cited 40 much discussion one week ago, was laid
on the table.
SATURDAY, February 5.-The senate voted to
extend an invitation to the government and peo-
pie Of France to attend the Yorktown centennial
celebration in October next, and appropriated
S200 to defray the expenses OF the visitors.
resolution nstructing the secretary Of state not to
pay certain claims under the award Of the Amer
lean claims commission was discussed at length,
but went over without action. Several unimpor-
tant bills were passed. After an hours debate
the house passed the senate resolutions regarding
the count OF the electoral votes for president and
vice-president. The apportionmept bill was dis
cussed, but no action was reached.
MONDAY, February IA brief but sharp pas
sage-at-arms occurred in the senate between
Messrs. Conkling and Butler, growing out of re-
marks made by the latter In a speech on the al
legged frauds In the census count Of South Caro-
lima. The pension appropriation bill was dis
cussed at length, but without reaching final
vote. The house by a vote of one hundred and
sixty-four to eighty-three refused to suspend the
rules and pass the bill making the agricultural
department Of the government an executive de-
partment. By vote Of one hundred and sixty to
eighty-six it also declined to suspend the rules
and pass the river and harbor appropriation bill
The effort to suspend the rules and pass joint
resolution for the appointment of commission
to ascertain and report the basis for reciprocity
treaty between the United States and the British
provinces likewise failed, the necessary two
thirds vote not being obtained.