The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-03-03
Caagreesionnl poinRs.


The President has signed the joint rcsolu.
tion creating the rank Of Lieut.. General,
and in accordance with its provisions, the
President, on Tuesday, nominated Gen
Scott to the new rank, and the nomination
was unanimously confirmed by the senate
On the 22d the senate concurred in the
house amendments to the invalid pension
bill, so that the bill is now law.
The bill to extend credit on duties on
railroad iron was then taken up and also
passed.
The house bill for the construction of four
additional revenue cutters was also passed.
A joint resolution was adopted on the 23d
by both houses, to adjourn at midnight on
Saturday, March 3D.
On the same day a spirited debate occur.
red in the senate, on the bill to protect off.
GERS acting Under the authority of the Uni
ted States. The bill was supported BY
Douglas, Badger, and others, and opposed
by Wade, Fessenden, Wilson, and others.
We have tine sketch Of this debate, occu-
pying couple Of columns, which we pro.
pose to publish in our outside columns next
week.
On Monday the interesting ceremony took
congress Of the sword Of Gen. Jackson, in
accordance with his last will and testament
The sword was presented by Gen. Cass,
HI. 10. 81
ute to the memory Of Gen. jackson. He al.
ludcd to the presentation Of the sword Of
Washington, and IN passing spoke of offer
ing the cane Of Franklin which was at the
same time deposited by the side ofthc sword
Of his great co-laborcr in the cause Of human
rights. His illusions TO Washington and
Franklin were in the most happy style. He
did not consider these ceremonies empty
The memorial of the first and greatest of
our Chief Magistrates, and this memorial Of
his successor in the administration of the
government and second only to him in the
gratitude and affections Of the American
people will be side by side united links Of
patriotic devotion, and in ages shut cut from
our vision by the far away future, when re.
mote generation. hear Of our heritage Of
freedom, shall gaze upon thes, testimonials
Of victories, timc.worn but time honored .
they will be carried by association TO those
Heroes Of our early story aud will find
their love Of country strengthened and their
pride in her institutions, and their conf
dcnce in her fates and fortunes increased.
Mr. Bell followed Mr., Cass in a speech
highly eulogistc Of the hero Of New Or
leans. Many ladies were present at the cere.
mony.
In the house, the sword Of Gen. Jackson
was presented by Mr.. Smith, Of Tennessee,
who made a neat speech o. the occasion.
rs in the senate, SO IN the house, every
nook and corner was crowded with spccta
tors, among whom large proportion was
ladies'.
The business Of the day possessed no 9th
err special interest, beyond the tabng Of
bill to grant lands for railroad purposes in
Michigan. and another 10 grant land for like
purposes in Florida.
On the 9th, the senate took up the house
bill for reducing and modifying the rates Of
postage, which, after some discussion, was
passed. One OF the provisions requires the
pre- payment Of all letters by stamps, after
the lst Of January, 1866, and another pro.
vides for the registration Of valuable letters.
In the house, on the same day, the navy
and fertilization bill, and the bill establishing
l. :. Circuit Court for the district Of Ca
liiorna, were passed. The army bill was
then taken up, and while debating the senate
amendments, news came TINT Mr. Bcnton's
house was on fire Great excitement onsu-
ed and the House took recess til : o'clock.
Tho fire was cXtnguished without destroying
the house or much Of the furniture, but it is
understood that Col. Benton loses most Of
the matter prepared FOR the second volume Of
his Thirty Years View" which il viii be
difficult to replace.