The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-12-19
WASHINGTON.
Facts and RulMOrs.
CONGRESS-.

CONGRESS-.
Since its meeting on the 7th inst, congress has
had in reality bat three working days-Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday of the present week,
and these comprise all the work to be done un.
til tho 9th Of January, to which date, from next
Monday, both houseshave agreedlto take recess,
The remaining two or three days before the re-
cess are to be occupied in announcing the death
Of Thaddsss Stevens and other members OF the
Senate and House, deceased since the adjourn
ment last summer.
The great finance and specie payment muddle
in which the members found themselves involved
on the meeting Of congress, is working itself in.
to intslligible shape. Firstly and foremostly, the
finance committee in the senate agreed on rsso.
luton, which was reported TO the senate on Mon
day, declaring that the SEQ bonds ought not to
be redeemed antil the government shall be able
to redeem its currency in gold. The resolution
is still pending. The democrats are pleased with
it because it virtually admits that the $50 bonds
are redsemable in greenbacks. And secondly,
Mr.. Morton, Of Ind, on Monday introduced his
bill in the senate to bring about specie payments.
1t provides, in BRIEF that the Secretary Of the
Treasury shall sell no more gold, but retain all
he receives above what is needed to pay interest
on the public debt in the treasury until July /,
1871, when he shall commence rsdeening the
outstanding gresnbacks and postal currency.
The national banks, by the sans bill, are requir-
ed to commence specie payment on the LIST Of
January 1872, after which date gresnbacks shall
cease to be legal tender. If the gold in the
treasury fails to be sufficient, the Secretary i.
authorized to borrow gold on : per cent bonds.
The bill was advocated in lengthy speech by
Mr.. Morton on Wednesday, in which he criti-
cised Secretary McCulloch's report with great
severity. The bill was then referred to the f.
nance committee. A bill somewhat similar in
its provisions, offered by Mr.. Lynch in the house.
was made the special order for the first W ednes-
day in January.
Mr.. Wilson, on Monday, got his bill referred
to the Judiciary Committee to increase the num-
Der Of L. S. Circuit Judges to II, seven of whom,
to be drawn by lot, shall, with the Chief JUS
tice, constitute the Supreme Court. It's object,
of course is to unseat some of the present con-
servative judges and get radicals in their places
The .empestous indignation excited in both
houses by the reading of the Pre.iden'ts message
cooled itself down into the adoption OF resolu-
ton in the house Monday. offered BY Mr.
Broomall, declaring that, as the dostrines of the
message savored of reputation, in the estma-
tion Of the house, the people held such doctrines
as ''odious." The senate resolution on the same
subject simply "disapproves the sentiments Of
the Presidents message in reference TO the pay
ment of the public debt" but though the rsso.
luton has been called up each day, it i, still
pending, with sn amendment proposed by Mr..
Hendricks, declaring that bonds made payable
in greenbacks ought TO be paid in lawful
money"
On the petition Of Horace Greeley, VIM Z.
Dodge, Marshall o. Roberts and others, the
house on Tuesday ordered rowing committee
OF seven to investigate the alleged naturalization
and election frauds in New York, Philadelphia,
and wherever else the committee may see proper
to go to.
The friends Of tho Niagara Ship Canal pro-
ject received great encouragement from tho vote
in the house on Monday ordering the bill for
that work, by 100 TO 40, TO be made the special
order for the 18th Of January. The bill requires
the work 10 be commenced within one year, and
to BE- finished ~ speedily ~ possible, under d.
rsction Of the Secretary Of War. s
The provision in the reconstruction bill Of the
last session prohibiting tho organization Of the
militia in the Southern States was repealed by a
senate bill on Monday and by house bill on
Tuesday. except as to Mississippi, Virginia,
Texas and Georgia.
The Morshead tariff bill was Unexpectedly
sprung upon the house by its author getting it
up in committee Of tho whole on Wednes.
day BY vote Of 104 to go. Nearly the whole
day WAS spent BY the house in its consideration,
the discussion Ringing on the duty on copper
the smelters wanting an increased duty, and the
ship builders wanting the duty taken off.
A bill passed the house on Tuesday providins
| for an extension of the time for the payment Of
| the tax on tobacco on hand from January 1st 70
February 10Th.
Butler introduced new reconstruction bill in
the house on Monday to apply exclusively to the
| obdurats State Of Georgia.
Tho house, on Wednesday, passed bill, intro
duced by Mr.. Jones, of Ky, that females in tn.
employment Of the government shall receive thu
same pay as males where they perform the lik,
service.
The twenty per cent. scheme fer the benefit O