Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-01-24
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The FOrty-Seventh Congress.

SATURDAY, January 13.-A bill was introduced
in the senate providing that the president shall
appoint seven commissioners from civil life to
consider and investigate the subject of railroad
transportation in its relations TO the agricultural
commercial and industrial interests of the United
States, and to report their recommendation to
congress not later than December 3, 1888. A bill
was also introduced providing that in all federal
elections the balloting machine invented by A.
c. Carey shall be used. The agricultural bill and
the treaty with Mexico were discussed, without,
however, reaching decision on either question.
The house passed the pension and fortihca-
ton bills, and also bill allowing from S12 to $50
a month pension for those who have lost sight or
hearing In the military or naval service
MONDAY, January 15-The tariff debate was
continued in the senate and a joint resolution
was introduced directing the president to give
notice to Great Britain by July next, OF the in
tenton OF the United States 10 abrogate the fish
cries clause Of the Washington treaty. At the ex-
ecutive session the protocol with Mexico, whereby
| new hearing was proposed TO be given in the
We'll and Delebra claim cases was rejected,
Numerous bills and resolutions were introduced
in the house. and days assigned for the consider
ton of certain bills.
TUESDAY, January l6.-The post office appro-
priation bill was reported to the senate and the
tariff bill was discussed for the greater part of
the session. In the house a joint resolution
was reported providing for conditonally abro-
eating the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty. The bill
amending the act regulating the removal OF
| The tariff bill was reported from the ways and
means committee. The naval appropriation bill
was also reported. bill to reimburse the
state OF Massachusetts, TO the extent OF $3.50, 600
| for coast defence expenses during the rebellion
WAS discussed at length in committee OF the
| whole, and by n vote Of 05 TO 81 it was agreed
| to report the bill back to the house with rec
| ommendation that the enacting clause be stricken
| out.
WEDNESDAY, January 1.-THE senate discussed
| the postofiice appropriation bill, and also contin-
ued the tariff debate The entire session OF the
house was occupied In discussing the joint reso'
| luton for the appointment OF n new mixed com
mission for considering the Venezuelan claims
which was finally passed.
| THURSDAY, January 1S-The post-ofce appro
priation bill was discussed in the senate, and the
clause appropriatng S1S5 900 for fast mail service
was adopted The tariff debate was continued
49,. The house refused, by seyenty-six majority
to consider the whiskey bonded period bill, tn,
naval appropriation bill being taken up instead
After an explanation Of the measured Mr., Robe
son, the death OF Mr.. Shackleford OF North Caro-
lima was announced, and an adjournment takeI
as mark of respect to his memory,
FRIDAY, January 9-'1he post-olce appropri
alton and the tariff bills were further discussed
In the senate. resolution was offered for hold
ing evening sessions after Monday next, but NJ
action was taken on II. 1.-The annual post rout
bill was passed in the house. and bills on the pri
vate calendar were considered In committee o
the whole. caucus OF republican members wa
held Aiter adjournment, AT Wnlch IL WAS uetef
mined TO take up the tariff bill AZ soon IN Dossibe
and press II to a conclusion without unnecessar
delay.
SATURDAY, January 20--The senate discusses
and passed the postoilce appropriation bill, re
tanning the clause appropriating $4,000 for nee
essary and special mail facilities on trunk lines
also the two-cent postage clause, The tarin dc
bate was then continued until the adjournment
,u, The house spent the entire session in commit
tee OF the whole on the navy appropriation bill
General debate on the bill was finally limited :
one hour OF Mondays session.