Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-27
FOrty.Seyenth Congress.

TUESDAY, December 19.-The Indian appro-
priaton bill was discussed in the senate and
passed. The bill extending the bonded period
on distilled spirits was also discussed, but final
action was not reached. Bills were introduced
in the house to abolish the internal revenue tax
on fermented liquor, for the regulation of tele-
graph and cable companies and for granting
pension OF IS per month to all persons engaged
In the Mexican and Indian wars, except those
participants in the war OF the rebellion who have
failed to take advantage of the pardon extended
by the United States and those expressly ex-
cluded by that act. resolution providing for a
holiday recess from the 22d instant until the I'd
OF January was adopted by vote of 1877 to 1O1
The post-ofice appropriation bill was discussed at
length in committee Of the whole.
WEDNESDAY, December 20-The senate passed
the consular and Diplomatic appropriation bill
The Pendeton clvil-servce reform bill was dis
cussed at length, Messrs Vest, Barrow, Dawes
aud others participating in the debate. The
house passed bill permitting retired army Of
hcers to hold civil offices In the territories 1t
also passed the post-ofiice appropriation bill, the
vote standing 1853 to 81,
THURSDAY, December.2l. The senate by a vote
ton for adjournment from to-day until the I'd
proximo. The agricultural appropriation bill was
passed. and the Pendeton civil service reform bill
was discussed until eight o'clock in the even
ing. Mr.. Pendleton gave notice that he should
ask the senate to sit out the bill at todays ses-
sion. In the house, resolution was reported
declaring 1t to be the sense of that body that il
the tax on tobacco, snuff and cigars be reduced or
removed rebate shall be given on all unbroken
packages. The general debate on the army ap-
preparation bill was concluded in committee Of
the whole, but no action was taken.
FRIDAY, December 22.-The senate adopted the
tobacco-rebate resolution with the Morrill, amend
ment providing that whenever the tax on tobacco
snuff or cigars is reduced or removed proper
tionate rebate should be allowed of the taxes paid
on stock on hand. The Pendleton civil-service
reform bill was further discussed, Mr. Malone of
Virginia making the principal speech An effort
will be made to take final action on the measure
to-day. The house, by vote OF 1Ot to 81, voted
to adjourn from to-day until Wednesday next
The army appropriation bill was considered in
committee OF the whole until the question Of mo
quorum" was raised. 1t appeared that 1871 mem
bers were absent on leave, and an adjournment
was Immediately taken.
SATURDAY, December 23.-The senate did not
adjourn until nearly midnight, the major por-
ton of the session being spent in discussing the
Pendleton civil service reform bill The Pugh
amendment to the bill, compelling all the present
clerks in the departments to submit to competi-
tive examinations, was defeated by vote
OF ~ to IL. During the debate a brief pas
sage-at.arms occurred between Messrs. Hoar of
Massachusetts and Butler of South Carolina
After agreeing unanimously to dispose OF the
measure on Wednesday next, an adjournment
transacting any business, also adjourned until
Wednesday