The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-03-04
FROM WASHINGTON
THE FORTY-FIRsT CONGRrs,

THE FORTY-FIRsT CONGRESS
Goes out OF existence on Saturday, and is enyav.
Cd In almost continuous day and night sessions
to wind up its business before the inevitable 81,
OF high twelve before the 4sh of March. Asa
new congress meets Immediately on the heels
OF the old, there has been little disposition to do
more at this session than to pass the nscessa,v
appropriation bills. The houses however, found
time, in the interest Of securing the succession
to President Grant, to force through hi, nat
measure,
THE ENFORCEMENT BILL
This bill places every town and citv in tb.
country with over 1900 inhabitants, under bav.
onet rule on election day, with no responsibility
for any enormity the military may commit az.
cept to the President himself. In the debat. m
this bill in the senate, which was prolonged uu.
til 2oclock in the morning, Gen. Blair said:
"The election of Grant by the aid of the armv
in the southern states was identical with tho
coup ddM by which Louis Napoleon acquired
power, and that Grant would yet use the bayonet
In New York as relentlessly as he had used it in
Mississippi The purpose of the BILL in his opin.
Ion. was to enable the president to .e.elect him.
self by driving the democratic party from the
polls In New York at the point of the bayonet.
He went on TO speak of the election to high of.
flee of military commanders one of whom was
now in the senate by the use of the soldiery I'm.
der his command"
During further discussion, Mr.. Casserly ORG.
doted that the bill would prove either the death
warrant OF The republican party or the liberties
Of the country.
THE JOINT HIGH COMMISSION
To settle the difficulties between the L. s. and
Great Britain, had preliminary meeting at the
state department on Wednesday, but did no BUSH
ness. Some surprise is expressed at despatch
from the British foreign Office to the Canadian
government stating that the claims of the Domin.
ion for damages arising out OF the Fenian inva.
sions would be submitted to the commission.
Secretary Fish denies that anything but claims
arising out of our civil war and the fishery ques-
ton are to come before the commission.
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RR.
The senate and house are At loggsrheads over
the Southern Pacific r. Il. bill, and the measure
will probably be defeated. The house Topped of
all the branches and reduced the land gran. To
100000 acres, while the senate insists on re-
tanning the:branches, with grant OF 26,OOO,OOO
acres. The matter is in the hands Of confer.
ence committee.
DUTY on COAL.
The house, in view of the threatened coal fam
inc account OF the miner difficulties in Penn.
aylvania on Tuesday hastily passed d bill re-
moving tho duty on foreign coal. The bill, how.
ever, will hardly Be allowed to pass the senate.
Has had in pickle for week speech contain.
ing furious assault. on President Grant and in.
tended to deliver it on Tuesday, but WAS finally
prevailed upon not TO do it, from considerations
Of the good Of the party"
GEORGIA SENATOR.
Miller, senator from Georgia, elected in 1868,
, was finally admitted to hi. seat on Wednesday,
two days before the close of his term The Of.
feet, however, i. to give him about $4,000 for
two years salary. mileage, &c
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The house has concurred IN the senate amend.
ment TO the bill providing for centennial cee-
bration, by worlds fair, Of the Declaration Of
Independence, in Philadelphia, in 1876 1t now
goes to the president for approval
THE WEST POINT TROUBLES.
The president has yet paid no attention to tho
house resolution requesting that a court Of in.
quiry be ordered in the first class of West Point
cadets Members of the house do not explain
the delay in any other way than in the fact tina.
the presidents son il member of that class
THE NEXT HOUSE.
The next house, which meets on the ithlof
March, will consist Of 1872 republican,. and SO
democrats, with II members to elect The radi.
calls will re.e,ec. speaker Blaine and probably all
the other present officers Of the house. 1t is be.
lieved the new congress will not be allowed to
adjourn until after the return Of the San Do.
mlDyO commission