The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-06-13
From Washin gton.
CCkRl. NOV.

CURRENCY.
. In our las; resume of congressional doing.
the conference committee had agreed on a
new compromise" currency bill, which had
/ been reported to the two houses, and of which
we gave a brief synopsis The bill was not
taken up in either house until Thursday,
when the senate ventured 10 call ii up. Mean
time the Presidents memorandum" to Sena-
tor Jones had been published, in which the
President had as good as pledged himself to
veto this bill, SO that the senate opened the
debate on the question with some embarrass-
mcnt Morton, however, led Oft in support OF
the bill, and Sherman, a hard money man and
warm friend of the President, backed him up,
Then Jones, the Presidents new confidential
advisor, came down upon it rough shod, de
clarlng the bill was full of stupid surprises.
Logan went FOR Jones and Grant, in his pecu-
liar clap.trap style. The debateraged liercely
until adjournment, and no vote was taken,
The bill, however, is bound to pass, and con
sidering that the very existence OF the radical
party seems to hang upon it, there is hope
that Grant may yet be Coaxcd TO sign 1t to
save the party.
FORT ST. PHILIP CANAL.
The house, on the 9th, somewhat uneXpect-
edly passed the bill for constructing the Fort
St. Philip canal, below New Orleans, the
work not to exceed $S00o,000 in cost and ap-
propriatng 100000 to begin with. The
senate committee, however, to whom the bill
was referred in that body, appears to be OPP
posed to its passage, and show no disposition
to report 1t for action,
COLORADO
The house having week or two ago passed
a bill TO confer statehood on New Mexico,
naturally voted on Monday also to admit
Colorado, though neither state has within
10000 enough population. The object in both
cases is clearly to get some more radical sena
tors elected. The probabilities are that the
senate will concur at least in the Colorado
bill.
NOTIFIES.
The senate, on Tuesday, after a long session,
passed the house bill abolishing the Sanborn
stealing or, as it is more politely called, the
moieties system, but with sundry amend
ments greatly emasculating the measure as
passed by the house. As there is no proba-
bility that the house will agree to these
amendments, conference committee must
settle II or the dlsgraceful steal will so on.
CIVIL RIGHTS.
There being no hope Of the Sumner civil
rights bill passing the house in its present
temper, that measure goes over 10 the next
session.
TAXING SUGAR.
There is quite strong probability that the
tax on sugar will be restored. \ good many
senators favor the proposition. It is said that
the Louisiana sugar interest needs this pro
lection; that sugar is no cheaper since the
abolition Of the tax, and that as soon as our
government struck it of the Cuban govern
ment put it on.
HENNEPIN CANAL.
The house committee on railroads and can
ais through Mr.. Hurlbut, on Wednesday,
made favorable report on the bill of Repre-
preventative HawleN of Illinois, to provide
tor the construction of a canal connecting
the waters of Lake Michigan and the Illinois,
Mississippi and Rock rivers. The bill au-
thorizes and directs the secretary of war to
Law out and construct canal from a point at
or near Hennepin, by the most practicable
and convenient route to the Mississippi river,
with branch canal or feeder, from the Rock
river, at the city of Dixon, connecting with
the main line Of the canal near the town OF
Sheffield The total length of the canal is
1902 miles, at an estimated cost of a little over
$4,5O0,000. The bill approprlates 100000
toward its commencement But there is no
more chance ofthe bill passing congress than
Of its passing parliament.
A GOOD BEGINNING,
Secretary Bristow is doing finely in the
treasury department, He has difficult task
to perform, in restoring among his subordi,
mates the sense of responsibility and the re-
cognition of authority which they had almost
wholly lost under bls predecessor, yet he has
already accomplished great deal III this d.
rcction. Every official who has come in con-
tact with him has been made to feel the new
spirit which governs the department. So
says an enthusiastic correspondent at least
CANAL TOLLS.
Do our merchants and shippers generally
know that within a week or two important
reductions have been made in the tolls upon
the canal? Tolls on lumber have been re-