The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-01-23
FROM SPRINGFIELD.
THE LR0IsLATURE.


RAILROADS.
The railroad question came before the house
in a new shape ON Tuesday on . resolution re-
questing the attorney general to give his opinion
whether bill restricting rates of fare would not
release the Central X. R. Co. from paying it
per cent. The resolution created a mementary
sensation, but was finally tabled. The house is
evidently provoked 1t the indifference of the
railroad companies to their action on Fullsr's
bill.-not single railroad lobbyist having yet
made his appearance in Springfield, and may
pass Fuller's bill for spite.
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
It is understood that the committee Of the
Peoria Convention, who are lobbying for the
proposed improvement Of the Illinois river, have
agreed upon . programme Of action, which is,
the present session, but simply to ask that the
bill Of the last session, which made sufficient"
mot naming any sunny appropriation for the erec-
ton Of . lock and dam at or near Peoria, be car
ried into effect. This would give slack.water
navigation from Chicago to Peoria, and greatly
increase the usefulness and revenues of the pres-
snt canal from La Sale t. Chicago. This i'm
provement a. y WHOLE it 10 believed, 10 possessed
of such merit as will eventually secure for it the
united support of the people of this state. 1t
will not only increase the local traffic of the canal
and stimulate much higher development Of the
country contiguous to its line but will turn an
immense commerce over the canal, which will
pay tells to the state. Tho tolls will ultimately
defray the cost Of the whole contemplated i'm
provenent, and the only state aid required will
be the issue Of bonds fer the original cost of the
work,-the tells paying the principal and inter-
est of these bonds after the completion Of the
work The only obstacle at present in the way
of the success of the measure, On the programme
is the disinclination of the senate to
confirm the commissioners appointed by Gov.
Oglssby. The only chance 10 70 have them taken
up and rejected, when Gov. Palmer can appoint
a new set that will DO confirmed.
REMOVAL OF THE SUPREME COURT TO CHICAGO.
Under the disguise of amending the practice
sct,r Senator Ward, of Chicago, introduced a
bill, the real object of which is to remove the
Supreme Court of the Third Grand Division to
Chicago. With An influential member in the
senate from Ottawa, like Mr.. Bushnell, Chicago
has heretofore felt the uselessness of graspng at
this legislative plum; but as our present senator
10 man Of little force, and besides that, with
out any local feeling or interest in our favor on
this question, Ottawa may have soon occasion to
regret her indifference in the selection of the
senatorial candidate last summer.
FOREIGN INSURANCE COMPANIES.
The wildcat insurance companies Of this state
have found an advocate in Senator Harlan, who
bill in the senate on Tuesday for
the regulation of foreign insurance companies
doing business in this state, which requires of
them deposit of bonds with the state auditor,
aud subjects them to . tax of per cent. on all
premiums received BY them in the state. The
provisions of the bill are simply monstrous and
outrageous.
TEXAS CATTLE.
The subject Of the importation of Texas cattle
into the state seems to puzzle ths'combined wis
dom Of the Executive Board of the State Agri-
cultural Society and of the whole legislature,
without reaching satisfactory conclusion. The
sattie raisers are iercsly fer law rigid a. 70
amount to exclusion, while the cattle eaters are
for liberal law. Between the two, it is doubt
full whether anything will be done. The bill Of
Hr.Epler, introduced in the house on Wednesday,
has the favor Of the cattle raisefs, and provides
that Texas cattle shall net Be hsrdsd or erased
On uninolosed fields, bat must, at all times, DO
confined in enclosures, and, when in transit from
portion Of the state to another, must bs driv-
IN along public highways placed in Enclosures
1t night, and act permitted to range over unin-
closed lands. Persons bringing diseased cattle
into the state arc liable for all damages resulting
10 secure which lien IA given on tho whole
herd, which fellows the herd after it has been
,old to third partiss Persons violating tho Sec
lion, and permitting Texas cattle to range over
aniaelosed lands, are subjected ts $1,000 fine for
Zach sfIsnes; and. On tho commencement of pro-
seedlings, any constable in the state may take
possession Of such CATTLE and hold then until
he proceedings are terminated.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The radicals, in caucus ON Wednesday, finally
agreed to the original proposition of the Demo.
,rats, to have the election of delegates to the
convention take place next No
1ember, and to have the convention meet in De-
,ember. The bill will doubtless pass in that
Ihape.
A BIG DRUNK
A movement is ON foot to have the Legislature