The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-12-05
WASHINGTON.
Facts and RulllOrA.
CONGRESS

Der OF the members are already in the city. The
great topic among them all is, the finances, and
about every member in three has bill on tina
subject to submit the first day of the session. 1t
| Is understood that the important business of the
session is to be taken hold of at once and not left
for the last days. to DO defeated for want of time
The law requiring the new congress to meet on
the 4th of March. will probably be repealed,
as meeting on that day will involve the election
OF a new speaker, which the "heads of mssses'
are not ready for.
GEN. GRANT.
The President elect left Washington on Mon
day on his. promised visit to Boston. He was
accompanied by Gen. Comstock and his son. In
response to committee, he declined public re-
| ception, but said he had accepted the hsspitali-
ties of the ST. James Hotel, whore he would be
pleased to receive such wished to call on him.
30 the General, on arriving at Boston, was met
at the depot, simply by the Hotel carriage, Next
morning he was waited upon by committee of
the city council and number of citizens. In the
afternoon he rode out TO the Waltham watch
works, and in the evening dned with David
Sears. On Wednesday he visited Lawrence, and
was shown through the mills there. Thursday
he visited Gen. Burnside, in Rhode Island Next
weels he will attend the soldiers reunion at
Chicago.
Gen. Grants report On the military operations
of the year is published, and consists of but
dozen or two lines, simply referring to the re.
ports by the department commanders, and rec
omending that the Indians be turned over to the
war department.
Taus far the president seems to have been
as studiously mum as ever on all questions Of
public interest. The only rumors on that head
are that lie has expressed himself in favor of the
constitutional amendment imposing MICRO suf-
fersge on all the states, and in favor of speedy
disposition of tho financial question
FINANCES
The public debt statement for November shows
an increase of the debt for the month, of ss OOO.
600. Coin on hand about 100000, 900.
Secretary McCulloch has completed his annual
report, aud has fixed his estimate of revenue
to DO raised for the next fiscal year. at $3.50 0OO-
600. This estimate is $l3, 900 900 less than that
made for the present fiscal year.
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
Quite sensation has been created among par.
ties interested in the Central Pacific r. r. by the
| report Of the Commissioner to examine the road
that it will take some $6,000,O00 to bring the
road az far as constructed, up to the requirements
OF the law and by the further fact that the pres.
ident has decided that until the road is thus fin.
ished, he will net issue another dollar Of the gov
eminent subsidy to the road.
TRIAL OF JEFF DAVIS
The attorney General being too busy to attend
the trial of jeff Davis at Richmond, commenced
on Thursday sent Richard II. Dana, Of Boston,
to take his place. The only step taken in the
trial at this term will be to dispose Of the motion
to quash the Indictment, when there will be .
further continuance 70 next term.
The EIGHT HOUR SYSTEM.
The decision of Attorney General Evarts on
the eight hour law question is promulgated, and
makes the question As clear as mud. The Atty
G. is decidedly Of opinion that congress, in pass.
ing the law. meant that men working eight hours
should receive pay for . days work, but wheth.
er the same pay as for days work of ten hours
that depends upon whether somebody else is gets
ting the same pay.
The ALASKA CORRUPTION.
The Russian legation at Washington are I'M
dsrstsod to deny the report that $2,0O0,0O0 of
the Alaska purchase money were expended in Sc.
curing the good will of senator's and congress.
mon for the passage of the appropriation bill.
Nevertheless, the proposition to investigate tho
allegations will be pushed.
The ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Things are not as rosey in reference to the re.
ported settlement Of the Alabama claims Is they
were week ago. 1t leaks out that, by the terms
agreed upon between minister johnson and Lord
Stanley, British Claims for property lost in the
csnfederacy during the rebellion can be admitted,
enough to swamp completely all our claims aris-
ing out of the depredations of the Alabama and
Shen andoah. The cabinet it is understood, with.
holds its approval of the convention, until Ger.
tain important changes or additions are made.
This is likely to turn over the whole matter to
the new administration about to be inaugurated
in England well as in this country.
The early settlers Of Illinois had . gay and
festive reunion at Hennspn last week. Among
the "old dodgers" whose names appear in tho
proceedings, we notice those of the Greens and
HunsOns of this county