The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-02-28

Feb. 2O.-The Senate passed 90 privat

Feb 2O.-The Senate passed 90 private
bills and adjourned.
The House, after hard days struggle,
passed the new tariff bill, in the main as it
had been reported by the committee on
ways and means. 1t is said it will reduce
the revenue from customs twenty millions.
Feb. 21.-The Senate, after a protracted
debate, passed the bill, authorizing the peo-
pie of Minnesota to organize state govern
ment, with an amendment allowing citizens
of the u s. only to vote on the question. "A
bill granting a similar authority to the peo-
pie of Oregon was next taken up and dis
cussed until the Senate adjourned.
The House passed the post office appro-
priation bill. Then discussed and finally
laid over one week the resolution to impeach
Judge Watrous, Of Texas. Then took up
the resolution declaring that Whitfield had
not bee. legally elected delegate from Kan
sas and voted it down-96 against IS. And
then the House went into committee Of the
whole and discussed the deficiency appro-
priation bill until adjournment
Feb. 23.-The Senate took up the Oregon
bill, but at an early hour went into execu-
tive session, where the Kansas judgship
question was warmly discussed for three
hours.
The House took up the territorial appro-
priation bill. Mr.. Tappen moved to strike
out 5000 10 pay the legislature Of Kan
sas, on the ground that the House had de-
clared that body usurping. The motion was
debated all cay and finally prevailed, when
the House adjourned.
Feb. 24.-Mr. Hale moved a reconsldera.
ton of the vote by which the bill was passed
authorizing the people Of Minnesota to form
state government, his object being to de.
feat the amendment combining the right to
vote to citizens of the U. S. Messrs. Doug.
las, Pugh, and others favored the motion,
and Thompson, Green, Crittenden, &C., op.
posed it. The motion prevailed-35 to 2l.
The amendment was then discussed until
adjournment.
The House passed the Executive, Lcgis-
lative, and judicial appropriation bills. Mr..
Sherman rose to personal explanation. He
had been informed, Mr.. Wright had in .
low tone yesterday, said, in reference to a
certain remark Of his, chats lie." He
wanted the House to understand that he had
not heard the remark. Mr.. Wright owned
up having made the remark. Mr.. Sherman
was disposed to forgive it as "the language
Of blacksuard induced by intoxicaton ~
Mr.. Wright was not disposed to "bandy
words, and the matter was dropped. The
committee to whom had been referred the
petition Of 5000 citizens Of California pray
ing the expulsion of Herbert, reported that
there was no evidence that the signatures
were authentic, and the matter was laid on
the table.
FEB. 25.-The Senate receded from its
amendment TO the Minnesota bill, and it was
passed exactly as it came from the House.
The House amendments TO the submarine
telegraph were adopted, so that bill is also
law.
The House spent the day in desuItory
discussion on the resolution to expel Mr..
Gilbert, in pursuance Of the recommendation
Of the corruption committee. The end Of
it was, that Mr. Gilbert is to have a regular
trial on the charges against him at the bar
of the House.