The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-31
School Funds----Impris
0nment for Debt---Pro-
posed Investigation
of Stealings---The
Radicals Object
Canals Again.
Corpo ration
Laws.
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON.
GEN. BUTTERFIELD BEFORE THE
EXAMINING COMMITTEE---THE
RECIPRUCiTY TRE ATTY -
STEAMBOAT LINES--POSTAL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
MENT AGAIN.
MARkETS--GOLD I.2II-i.

! WAsHlsGroY, Jan. 29.-Gen. Butterfeld
was examined to day by the banking com
mi,.ee upwards of three hours. In the first
place, he denied that Corbin had anything
! 10 do IN securing his appointment as sub.
treasurer. be said he was not aware ths.
Gould and Fisk were carrying gold for him
until after the panic was over.
Strenuous efforts are being made by
Canadian agents here to induce our govern
ment to open a reciprocity treaty and the
free navigation of the st. Lawrence
4. A. Lowe and j. L. Strsnahan, of New
York, who have been here for some DAYS in
conference with the committees OF both
houses of Congress relative to the establish
ment of steamboat lines were invited to
appear before the banking committee to day
for the purpose of laying before that com
mittee all information in their possession
concerning the effect of the Wall street panic
and the causes which led to it.
the Senate postal committee had a special
session to-day to mature q postal telegraph
bill, and expect to have il ready TO report
early next week. The House special
committee on the same subject will opor, a
special telegraph scheme differing some hat
from the Senate bill.
The Senate retrsnchment committee are
in session to-day, considering the question
OF cutting down the expenditures and
reduction OF the expenses of all branches of
the COVE rnment
SPRISGFIELD, Jan. 2l.-The Convention
met at the usual hour. PRAYER was offered
by Rev. Mr.. .Cornha.n.
4 communication WAS read from the Su-
perintendent of Public Instruction he gives
the total amount of school property in the
State st sit, $50 ,S53. Total amount of
school fund, s6,348, 5s3,32. Value ofinsti-
tu;ions Of learning, So, ,2s0, ,490. Total value
$2S'584, ,S7l,32.
A resolution to prohibit Imprisonment for
debt was introduced and referred.
A little breeze was raised, during the
morning hour, by resolution offered by Mr.
Anthony, to Investigate the accounts OF Mr..
Alexander Stsrnes, state treasurer, from
1862 to 1864, in regard to the estate of ex.
Gov. Joel A. Mstteson, and other matt rs
Mr. Browning rose, and objected steruu-
ously to the conventions enterning upon any
such business. claiming that In so doing it
WAS totally ont of the sphere. He said he
should call for the yeas and nays upon the
subject, for the purpose of putting himself
upon record even if he stood alone ss he
had done once before.
Mr.. Vending also spoke in the same
strain with regard to the propriety of the
resolution, and wished 10 know If the con-
veution proposed to make q smelling com
mIttee of itself.
The statement was then by MIR Archer.
Il believe that Mr.. Stsrne courts the inves
tigation, and would be obliged to his friends
if they would vote for the resolution.
Upon this, a vote was taken, resulting in
81 yeas and 2nays,-the latter being Messrs.
Brown, of Massac. and Browning.
Mr.. Cameron offered a substitute for the
Canal Committees report, which provides
that the Illinois canal shall never be leased
or granted to any parties, unless the State
shall receive the entire nett revenue there
from: that the General Assembly shall have
40 power to carry on system of internal
improvement by revenue received from the
taxation of private property or railroads,
but from the revenue from canal alone, and
shall make laws to protect the people from
extortion or imposition IN the amount of the
canal being leased.
The resolution and reports were referred
to the committee on canals and canal
land.
Mr.. Mccoy, from the Committee on Mis-.
cellaneous Corporations, reported an article
for adoption which provides that the Legis
lature may pass general laws for creating
corporations, but shall not do so by special
act. 1t may be general law to provide
for amending and enlarging existing char
ters, but shall pass no law for the revival of
any bank charter. The capital stock OF
railroads shall not be increased except in
good faith. Corporations may sue and be
sued, and stockholders may vots In proper
tion to stock owned by them. The Legisla-
ture Shall pass no laws granting right TO
street railroads without the consent of local
authorities. Articles of incorporation shall
De void IN one year from the adoption of
this constitution, unless they shall be put in
operation.
The special order being the consideration
Of the canal report, it was taken up in
committee of the whole, Mr.. Pillsbury in the
chair.
Mr.. Bromwell resumed, and made q
strong and powerful speech in favor of the
article reported. His remarks were forcible
and extremely well timed. He proposed to
offer substitute forever prohibiting the
canal from being sold or leased, SO as to
remove the control thereof from the people
of the State.
At one o'clock the committee rose, re
ported progress, and the convention ad
| iourned.