The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-04-17
WASHINGTON. -,
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Facts and Rumors.

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ra.s~s CONGRESS. -ass.-e,.~,ss-.
Congress adjourned At noon on Saturday, the
10th, not to re-convene until next December.
The closing hour was marked by the usual con.
fusion, arising from an attempt, during the last
40 minutes Of the session, TO smuggle through
bill to pay the carpet bag members fof atsen.
dance during the whole Of last congress, when
more than half its term had expired before their
election. The democrats fought the swindle
with rdilatory motions, until the republicans
backed down. eveH ,taipss.sog ,s
The senate has been re-convened in special ses.
sion by order of the President, to act on execu.
tive business. and may be detained three or four
weeks yet at Washington.
VIRGINIA, MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS BILL
The most important bill passed at the tail end
of the session was that passed in accordance with
the request Of the special message Of the president
to submit the constitution of the states named
second time to . vote Of the people, but
submitting the obnoxious clauses relating to dis
franchising rebels to separate vote. The bill
was amended, On Morton's motion, requiring the
states, as an additional condition precedent to
congressional representation, to ratify the Of.
tenth amendment, q condition which, it is said,
will again defeat the constitution in Virginia
and Mississippi. The president signed the bill
though tits far from what he asked for.
JUDICIAL BILL 13soS@ ~
Among the more important bills passed by the
80: ~
system Of the q. 8. It provides for nine new cir
cult judges, but only the present circuit judges,
with an additional one, are to constitute the Su-
prePe court. All the judges are 10 retire from
the bench at the age Of 20 years, but their sa,av-
ies, are to run, on during their life kline. - 4
ave %RvERs AID HARBoRa a w
The only shape in which the river and harbee
bill could be passed was by striking ut all men,
ton OF particular improvements, and to vote
generally $2.OeO.00o to Be expended BY the War
Department in its discretion. -
w 40 SENATOR sPRAGuE's SPEECH ~
The galleries were overerowded on the 9Th to
hear Mr.. Spragses speech, promised the day BE-
fora. He spoke for two hours, without much
cohesency, mixing up personal, Political, and
financial matters at random; but exhibiting the
general depravity and corruption of the republi.
can party. Among other startling statements
he made was one that certain Senator had re-
eeived 100000 for his vote and influence in
favor Of certain measures, but he refused to name
the Senator. nsa se8.TfsAl ~
THE INDIAN COMMISSION <
This singular commission, TO consist of 10
Quakers, or eminent philanthropists, 10 about to
be oppointed as provided by the Indian appro.
pristion bill, to advise with the secretary Of the
interior on the management of the Indiana
agfsv APPOINTMENTS.
The first OF the foreign appointments we're
made on Monday. Motley is nominated as min
lister to England John Jay, of N. Y, to Austria;
Gov. Curtin, Of Pa, to Russia J. Russell Jones,
Of Chicago to venezuela; and Gen. s. A. Hurl.
but Of ILL.,, to Bogota. Two more negroes were
nominated. Bassett Of Philadelphia, as minister
to Hayti, and Clay. Of Louisiana. as minister TO
Liberia. The latter, however, declines the 20
sition, and il will probably be given to Fred
Douglas who wants it, "Impeacher Ashley" as
governor ofMontana, was bitterly opposed In the
senate, and was confirmed by majority. Fss
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE. -, ''s
'S.Aside from acting on nominations 70 Office.
the senate has been acting upon some important
treaties. Several nsturalisetions treates, with
Belgium, the new German Onion, &C., we're rat.
fed, They sustain the doctriae Of this country.
"oncs citizen always sitissn," and place the
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