The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-03-31
From Jonny Caddoo.
Des Moines, March "a, 1870,
HALL OF THE HOUSE.

EDS. COURIER:
Yesterday and o-day has been almost
entirely occupied In the consideration Of
the bill to fix the rates for freights Oh rail-
roads. There 10 no doubt there are many
grave evils in the present management Of
most Of our railroads. They are undoubt-
edly so managed as to compel most Of the
grain and other products Of this State, to
60 to Chicago to market. For instance, at
q given point in the interior Of Iowa,
where the car is loaded and unloaded by
the shipper, If 1t is shipped to Chicago. the
Iowa road charges II cents per 100 lbs.,
and if you wish to stop your car on the
Mississippi to load or unload yourself, 1t
is 20 cents per hun ired. It is not practi-
ced to this extent on all roads, but they all
discriminate more or less in favor Of
freight going to Chicago. much doubt
whether the proposed railroad bin will
remedy any or all Of the evils. Mills, Of
Dubuque, is the author Of the bill, but it
was somewhat modified by the commit
tee. Dubuque merchants seem to be vi
tally interested in its success, and haye
kept a powerful lobby here most Of the
session, and have q snug room at the
savery, with two black bottles and half
dozen glasses on the stand, and \ small
keg in thei corner, Whether they allow
members to consult these for arguments,
or 1t is the sign Of their Dubuque politics,
can't say.
The discussion OF the bill wa opened by
Mills, in an excellent speech. taking up
three fourths of the day. Wright, of Sac,
followed him in opposition for balf an
hour. John Irish then addressed the
House for half an hour in favor of the bill
when none of its opponents coming to
time, ODonnell, Of Dubuque, addressed
the House until IL adjourned that even
ing, and took up an hour this morning to
finish. For young man, o. Donnell made
good impression. He went down into the
facts and figures and maintained his
point well.
Irish had better look to his laurels !;
he talks too much with his mouth, and de-
pends on his ability to make an extempo-
raneous speech with the facts, and Of
course only generalizes. If he maintains
his posish with the Young Democracy he
has got to work more with his head and
less with his tongues or else O'Donnell will
take his laurels. Then came John Young
Stone, Of Mills County, in favor of the
railroads. and took up the attention of
the House most Of the afternoon, and after
little skirmish between Johnny Green,
Of Davenport, and O'Donnell, Pap Apple
gate. Of Scott, presented a petition with
400 signers, in favor Of thea dozen or
more petitions on the same subject, and
the House adjourned to continue discus
sion tomorrow.
This morning. before commencing the
discussion, the House passed the Senate
bill abolishing tho General Term of
Circuit Court.
In your issue OF the 2sd, notice your
correspondent. " Index" says the friends
Of the Capitol Bill favored the investiga-
ton this is too favorable to them. While
they did not directly oppose It, Mr.. Kas-
son said he would oppose it unless some
member made distinct charge on the
floor that he hsd been approached, and
when Mr.. Haycock made the charge, the
friends Of the bill desired to restrict the
investigation to him alone; and yester-
day when the committee asked leaye to
sit during the sessions of the House, they
attempted to make the committee report
by Monday morning, when, of course,
they have sent out OF town the instru-
ments they have made use Of, and could
not be got by that time. If.hey had dared
to directly oppose the resolution they
would have done so-as their conduct in.
dicated.
The pupils Of the Bind Institute gave
an entertainment last night. at Moore's
Hall. which excelisd anything Of the kind
Witnessed here this winter. The music
was superb, and the proficiency shown in
the other branches Of Blind Education and
Industry was astonishing, and is credit
to the managers Of that Institute.
Yours Truly,