The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-12-20

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9th B. +. Fridlcy.
Several bills have been introduced in reference
to our public debt, one OF which provides for the
payment Of the interest the state debt by ssu-
ing other bonds, and by tax Of 10 cents on the
800. They have all been referred to the commit
tee on finance. A resolution was introduced to-
day instruc,ing the finance committee to report
revenue bill on or before the 10Th of January
next Messrs. Gregg and Arnold, members Of
that committee, hoped the resolution would not
pass, as 1t could in no way forward the matter.
The committee, they said, were not idle They
devoted all the time they could to The subject, and
would report at as early a day as practicable. The
resolution was laid on the table. q
Mr.. Brinklcy Of Hamilton, on the 18th, oder
ed a resolution in the house inslructing the judi
ciary committee 10 inquire into and report upon
the expedency Of repeating the Nauvoo city char
ter; which MIR Ross of Fulton moved to amend
by adding also tho cities of Springfield, Altor,
and Quincy. The amendment gave rise to "a
long debate. Mr.. Hicks opposed it, Its object,
he said, was to smother the resolution. He was
for repeal of the Nauvoo city charter, and he
wished the question to come up direct. He would
not be understood as opposing examination into
the charters of other cities; bu, he hoped the one
mentioned in the resolution would be allowed to
stand on It's own merits.-Mr. Ross could not see
the justice or pICprety ofdirecng all the inquiry
to one corporation. He was for a thorough nves-
tgation into all our city charters, and was oppos-
ed to making dstinctions-to making the matter
flesh for and fish for another" Let all have
fair hearing, and bill be then reported that vii
do them equal justice. The debate was con,inu-
ed by Messrs. Ross, Manning, Parish, Stearne and
others until the house adjourned. On the 18Th
the resolution was again called up, and the debate
on it resumed by MIR. Robbins of Randolph, who
opposed the resolution on the ground that it was
premature. The house should wait, he thought,
until the promised communication from the COVER
nor in relation to the Mormon difficulties should
he received. Mr.. Gregg was in favor Of amend
ing the Nauvoo charter, if there were provisions
in i, the abuse of which could be remedied in no
other way but he could no, why the house
should make invidious distinctions. He could
not join in the exercise of that in,ocran, and pro-
scrip,ve spirit that seemed to ac,ua,e the movers
Of this resolution. He had yet t. learn that the
citizens Of Nauvoo had abused the privileges
granted in their charter more than tho same pri-
vileges had been abused by other cities. Mr..
Gregg spoke at some length and with feeling on
the subject and was followed by others, who con-
tinucd the debate for several hours, after which
the previous question was demanded and the re-
solution passed without, amendment.
A bill was introduced on the 9Th fixing tho
per diem pay of the members at So, and ordered
to a second reading.
Mr.. Cushman, from the committee on the ju
dietary, reported back to-day preamble and re-
tee to memorabilia congress for relief to the SUI
ferers by high water on the Illinois and Misss-
sippi rivers, and asked to be discharged from the
further consideration of the subject. Mr.. Gregg,
member of the committee, stated that they
could not subscribe to the doctrine set forth in tho
preamble, which assumed that congress had pow
ers which they were of opinion it did not pos
sess but they had no objection to the resolution;
and he moved so to amend the preamble as to
read congress have heretofore granted relief
instead of ''consress can grant," &C., which am
endment was agreed to aud the resolution passed.