The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-01-10
From Washingto n.
THE GRAB LAW.

The senate has been debating the salary
grab law since Tuesday the debate turning
upon Mr.. Pratt's amendment, that all the
members of the present congress shall be
paid at the rate of $4,000 year, aud shall be
made to reimburse the treasury for the addi.
tional pay they have drawn since March 4,
1873. The amendment was opposed by Sena-
tors Logan Morrill,, and Stewart, and advoca
ted by Senators Thurman, Edmunds, Morton,
and others. Logan said he should vote to
reduce salaries to $4,000 in Difference to his
constituents, but he believed the increase he
had voted for last year was right, he didn't
care who knew it. The Pratt amendment
was, on Thursday, defeated by As to IA, and
the amendment now pending is to make the
salaries for 1874 $500 and for 1915 $4,000
CIVIL RIGHTS.
The chief topic of interest IN The house has
been the new civil right. or negro equality
bill. 1t was taken up on Tuesday, and Ste
phens, of Georgia, made one hours speech
against 1t. Mr. Rainsier Il colored member,
made feeble speech in reply. Mr.. Dunham
of Ky, then went in strong for the white race ;
and then Mr.. Elliott, of South Carolina, an
ebony black negro, rather astonished the
house by the ability of his speech in reply to
Dunham, Stephens, &c Elliott is a pro-
nouncedi negro; his skin is very black, which,
with his teatures,-low, receding forehead
broad flat nose, and thick lips,-indicate that
he has no white blood in his veins He is IA
little more than3l years old, short, erect, quick
and manly in his bearing He was prnci.
pally educated in England, graduating from
Elton College in 1859 Heretofore he has
borne himself quietly and modcstly, seldom
rising to his feet or taking any part beyond
voting in the proceedings of the house and
he consequently earned a reputation as man
Of some ability. On Tuesday he justified Il
higher reputation than he has been credited
with, by the delivery of one of the best
speeches that has been made in congress for
many months. He answered Beck, of Ken.
lucky, Harris, of Virginia, and Stephens of
Georgia, in a mastery manner, The effort was
smooth in diction, logical, and delivered with
Il clear, ringing voice, well managed, and
giving evidence of natural oratorical powers
Of no mean order, which had been well train
ed and cultivated.
JUDGE WILLIAMS
The muddle about the confirmation of At
torncy General Williams as chief justice was
ended on Thursday by the President at VII.
iiams' request, Withdrawing the appointment
II was evident that his nomination would be
rejected by n large majority, and Williams
concluded to save his credit and his present
Office by backing out
LABOR RELIEF.
lloar OF Mass, has again introduced his
bill in the house with reference to the capital
and labor question, which is an important one.
1t provides that the President shall appoint
commission of three persons from the Civil
Service of the Government, at salary of
5000 each, whose duty it shall be to invest
igate the subject of wages and hours of labor
Of the division Of joint profits between en-
ployes and capitalists; and the social, educa-
tional, and sanitary condition OF The laboring |
classes in the United States, and how the |
same are affected by existing laws regulating |
commerce, finance, and currency,
ToM scoTT's SCHEME,
The proposition which is to be made to con
grcss within few days, on behalf Of Tom |
SCOTS Texas Pacific road, asks the govern
mcnt to guarantee the interest only, not the
principal, Of the first mortgage bonds OF the
road, and TO secure the govcrnment a lien on
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