The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-02-02
Illinois Legislature.

Our law makers at Sprlnyneld having
disposed of the heavy business Of the Ses-
sion by the passage of the Convention and
apportonment bill, felt like taking holi-
day, and accordingly adjourned over from
last Thursday to Monday, making a visit
to the Normal University at Bloomington
the preteXt for so long a respite.
On Monday there was no quorum present
in either House, yet as no call was order
ed to ascertain this fact, some formal busi-
ness was done, such as the introduction
! and reference of new bills. Among the
80 bills thus introduced ras most extra
ordinary one by Mr. Mack, providing for
the immediate suspension of the collection
! of the two mill tax. for the transfer OF two
or three millions of the two mill fund now
| in the treasury TO the revenue, and also
! for the transfer of the Central Railroad
/ fund, which is now de soted to paying in
terost on the State debt, to the ordinary
revenue fund. The passage of this bill
would place some 100000 at the dispo
! sal of the present Legislature. What they
propose to DO with it is the problem. II
is Soid, the object is to arm the State and
get ready for the contemplated republican
war on the South-to aid in making, as
| Gov Yates has it in his inaugural, the
shores of the Father of Waters "a continu-
! OTIS sepulclre of the slain" of those who
would shut up his mouth to the commerce
! of the Northwest Fortunately, however,
/ the bill is so palpably unconstitutional
/ that should the republicans in their mad
ness pass it, the Supreme Court would de.
clare it a nulli.y.
! Gov. YATES, on Saturday, received des-
! patches from the Governors of several
| northern States, consulting him in regard
| TO the propriety of sending commissioners
! to the proposed convention al Washington
on the ith inst The Governor gave an
emphatic negative to the proposition, and
used his whole influence against the ap-
polntment OF such commissioners by the
legislature. Nevertheless, on Tuesday.
Mr. Underwood introduced the followin g
resolution in the Senate:
Ecs5lcei RY tic .Se.of~, tic H,ms,, c,uc,,c-
ring therein Tha. five Commissioners be
appointed ut the earliest practicable period
by this general Assembly. to meet the
Commissioners selected by Virginia and
other States, to confer together on the 18th
day Of February 1861. at the city of Wash
Ington, ID. G., in relation to the imminent
perils that threaten our national govern
ment; with the hope that some mode may
be adopted peacefully 10 adjust the ques-
tons that now distract the States and our
national councils, without the efiusion of
iraternal blood.
This resolution was referred 10 the com
mittee on federal relations, two-thirds of
whom, Of course, are republicans, who,
after sweating over it until midnight, re.
ported against the proposition. Mr. Tn
derwoods proposition may however be
passed in both houses in spite or the oppo-
sitltion of the committee, a. it is uncer-
tain whether the republican dill j, suiti-
ciently perfect to prevent some from fly.
! ing the track in favor Of thi, eiuneutly
proper step in favor Of peace.
The project OF borrowing &2O0. OJ0 of the
two per cent fund for ordinary revenue
purposes has received it. quictus The
Senate cut the sum down IL $4,000; the
House refused to concur; and the matter
was referred 10 a conference committee
They have reported against the constitu
tionality Of borrowing this money in the
manner proposed. and instead present :
project to make use of $4,000 of the
Central Railroad fund, which wa- set asi.l,
heretofore by law, and not by The consti
tuition, to the purpose Of buying up State
Indebtedness. This project will probably
be adopted
In view of the enormous fee, received
10y the Cook County Clerks, Mr.. >cammo,
has introduced ILL 10 iix their >alarie.
at 5000, and make the bill applicable t,
all the County and Circuit Clerks OF th'
larger counties in the State.
Springfield appears 10 be crowded Will
lobby members, most Of them from Chca
80, to tx up their city charter and baml
projects.
Mr. Burr, (den.) from Scott, has intro
duced 4 bill into the House providing fn
submitting the Critten,lrn or Border Stat,
propositions to the people of Illinois at
popular election to be holden on the -,
of Observation-Disclosures birthday.
The following, among hundreds OF les
important bills, have been introduced in
and are III various stages Of progress thro
the Legislature:
BY Mr. Crouch Act to amend the law
concerning judgments and executions.
Also, act to amend the law conccruin.
fees
BY Mr.. Elder: Act to declare the ctI,c
Of endorsement i'll this State.
Also. act 10 amend the interest laws 0
the State
By Mr.. Flaherty: Act to amend the cri
mnal laws of the State
By Mr.. ilaincs: Act to amend the law
concerning evidence.
Also, act To amend the law conceruin;
fees ami salaries.
Also, act to amend the law concerning
change OF venue.
Also, act to amend the law concernin,
divorce. TO provide that the confession
of the wife shall not be received in cy;
dence
By Mr.. Harrington; Act to amend tn
attachment laws
Also, act to enforce the payment of rent
BY Mr.. Elder: Net to amend the Lalsa
corpus aet.
. Also, act concerning appeal. from jude
ments of justices of the peace
By Mr.. Hogg: Act to declare and estal
lish days of grace.
By Mr.. Scammon: Act to protect til
public against fraudulent insurance com
. panies.
By Mr. Talbot: Act TO amend the seve
raj acts relating TO the election and CON
pensation of county trcasurers and asse>
sors.
On motion Of Mr. IIaines the committe