Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-09
Forty--Seventh Congress.

MONDAY, July 3i.-The senate passed the naval
appropriation bill, retaining by vote Of % to %
the amendment reducing the appropriation for
finishing the Miantonomah and the other iron
clad vessels from Si000000 to 100000 and
stopping further proceedings under the contracts
Of March 3, 1877. The sundry civil appropriation
bill was considered and twenty-ono pages were
disposed OF before adjournment. bill was
passed to prevent and punish the counterfeiting
OF notes. bonds and other foreign securities within
the United States. In the house joint resolu-
tloD was reported by the foreign committee pro-
viding for the creation OF new commission to
consider the claims against Venezuela adjudicated
by the mixed commission OF 1866. An effort to
table the bill placing General Grant on the retired
list Of the army was defeated by q vote Of 81 to
II; subsequently the bill was referred TO the mil
itary committee An evening session was held
for the consideration OF pension bills.
TUESDAY, August LIN the senate an adverse
report was made on the joint resolution authorlz-
ing the Issue Of two per cent bonds. The confer
ence committee on the Japanese indemnity bill
reported its inability to agree with the house
committee. The sundry civil appropriation was
considered at length 80, The house passed the
bill exemptng, in the calculation of the tonnage
OF American vessels, space occupied by cabin
compartments, etc, not exceeding five per cent OF
the gross tonnage, and In case Of steam vessels
like exemptions and also for boilers and engines
not exceeding in all fifty per cent Of the gross
tonnage The naval appropriation bill was re-
ported back and some Of the senate amendments
conference committee was appointed. The report
on the Chi-Peru investigation was submitted,
and a resolution for the final adjournment Of
congress on Friday next was offered and referred
to the appropriations committee.
WEDNESDAY, August 2-The senate, by n vote
Of Al to 1G passed the river and harbor bill over
the presidents veto. The rest OF the session
was occupied principally in discussing and amend
ing the sundry civil appropriation bill, which
finally passed The house, by q vote Of 100 to
10 naqgpd the rvar and larbor hill the prpai.
dents veto to the contrary notwithstanding II
also insisted on its disagreement to the senate
amendments to the naval appropriation bill, and a
| new conference committee was appointed.
THURSDAY, August Sin the senate resoln-
ton was passed for printing 300, 900 copies OF the
agricultural report and bill was passed provid-
ing for the deduction from the gross tonnage OF
vessels OF the spaces occupied by the crew, and in
| steamers, the space occupied by the boilers and
machinery. The tariff bill was again taken up
and proposition submitted TO the democrats to
pass the bill as II came from the house with the
senate amendments extending the time at which
the reductions shall take effect, and the amend
ments reducing the tax on snuff and tobacco
from sixteen cents to twelve cents per pound and
allowing rebate A long debate ensue1, but
no arrangement was arrived at. The house final
adjournment resolution was not acted on, A
resolution was adopted in the house for 8 final
| adjournment OF congress on Saturday next A
joint resolution was passed providing for the ex-
penditures OF the government until the 9th inst.
FRIDAY, August 4-The senate passed the bill
for the establishment of diplomatic relations be-
tween the United States and Persia, and author
zing the appointment OF a consul-general to that
country The conference report on the naval APP
preparation bill was agreed to and new conferees
were appointed on two items still remaining In
dispute. The tax reduction bill was discussed
until seven o'clock without reaching a decision.
THE house agreed to the conference report on
the legislative, executive and judicial appropria-
ton bill, and 1t was signed by the speaker. The
senate amendments to the sundry civil aIpro-
| priation bill were non-concurred In, and new
| conference committee was appointed.
SATURDAY, August 5-The senate after pro-
tracted debate, passed the knit-goods bill ty a
vote OF 36 to 10. The reports Of the conference
committees on the naval appropriation, the de.
| ficiency appropriation and the sundry civil APP
preparation bills agreed to and they were all
passed. The post-route bill was also passed
joint resolution was passed appropriatng S33,O0C
| for mileage to senators who attended the extra
| session in October last. The house agreed to
| the conference committee reports the naval
and sundry civil appropriation bills and passed a
| bill for the relief Of the executors of the late
| John W, Forney. The house committee on the
| Chili-Peruvan inquiry reported that it was ad.
visable to drop the prosecution of Mr. Shipherd
on the ground that Generals Hurlbut and kilpat-
| rick were dead, MIR. Blaine was not now an
officer OF the United States, Senator Blair was
| not now a member OF the house, and jurisdiction
over them was doubtful.