The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-05-07
FROM WASHINGTON.
DILAroRlnEss OF CONGRESS,

OILATORlUESS OF CONGhESS.
We have found - little in the news from
Wellington Of late worthy of mention that our
usual synopsis Of Wellington news was virtual.
" suspended. Congress has now been in session
i've months. and thus far not single measure
OF importance has been disposed Of No reform
ing bill; no tariff reform; nothing on the sub.
jsct of currency-in short not \ single one of
those great financial measures in anticipation of
which business is At . stand still, has yet been
passed, and ruinous doubt and uncertainty still
prevail in all business quarters. Aud in the
face of all this dilatoriness, the house on Tues.
day passed . resolution to adjourn on the 4sh of
July! But Of course the senate will not tou oh
the resolution for three months yet
THE TARIFF BILL.
The traif bill has now occupied tho house al
most uniterruptedly for six weeks, and not
quarter Of it has yet been gone over. The big
struggle has been on iron and steel, in which
the snti.tariff party have won such advantages
that the monopolists are almost discouraged, and
may yet combine to defeat the BILL The tariff
on railroad iron was cut dowa from 20 to 60 cts
Per 100 lbs. and on steel the monopolists got $50
per ton instead Of s44, which they had asked.
INDIAN TROUBLES.
1t is stated in dispatches to Washington from
the plains that the rumors about impending trou-
BILE with the Indians gross exaggerations.
Not 10000, nor any Sioux On the war path, and
Gen. Sherman has no thought Of leaving for the
west.
THE FUNDING BILL.
This bill, which passed the senate a month
ago and contained provisions particularly obnox.
ious to the banks, has had such an overhauling
by the house committee thst the senate would
hardly know it. Secretary Boutwell,, however,
fighting for the senate bill, and there is no tell.
ing in what shape it may ultimately be reported
NATIONAL DEBT.
The debt statement for May /, shows q reduc.
ton of $l7,464, 1882 during the month of
March, and the total debt $2.43s $50, l17.74.
wINNEPEG EXPEDITION.
The rumor having reached Washington that
the British expedition of 10000 men to Winnie
peg proposes, in its march from Canada TO pass
over a portion OF American territory, without
permission, the T. S. gunbOat Michigan, at DE-
troit, was ordered to be in readiness. for orders
in connection with such attempt. There is little
prospect, however, of fuss with England on
that score. There are plenty OF ways to get to
Winnepeg from Canada without touching Amer.
lean soil or waters.
MRS. LINCOLN.
The letter which Mrs. Lincoln wrote from
Germany to President Grant, begging congress
to relieve her necessities by providing pension
for. her. WAS shown to several members of con.
gress last week, and on Monday bill WA. in
troduced IN the house granting her request. The
bill gives her pension of $4,000 year, and was
passed by the house by 80 majority Some Of
the democrats voted for it, The bill nov goes
to the senate, where it is said it will meet with
less favor
FENIANisM.
The officials at the state, war and navy depart
ments are thoroughly advised of the contempla.
ted movements of the Fsnlans, and prompt
measures will be taken for the suppression of
any attack that may DO attempted on Canada.
DECORATION OF SOLDIERS GRAVES.
The annual decoration of the graves of our
deceased soldiers. under the auspices of the
Grand Army Of the Republic, will take place
this year on Monday. May 30. The ceremonies
At the national cemetery At Arlington are to be
even more grand aud solemn than those of last
year.