The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-03-28
From Washington.
IHE CURRENCY.


The House came up promptly to the scratch
on Monday and voted on the currency qucs
| ton The ways and means committee had
agreed to report in favor Of the bill to fix the
permanent issue of greenbacks at 100000,
600, which means an expansion of SAG 900, 900
or permanent issue of the fortysiX million
reserve Mr. Dawes, the chairman, being op.
posed to this increase, had reserved the right
on making the report to the house. to propose
two amendments, one to limit the issue OF
greenbacks to 1856, 000,0 0O-that is, to with.
draw the entire reserve; and the other to
| limit the issue to 1889 900 900, or the amount
now actually in circulation, including $2G,.
100000 of the reserve. Both Mr.. Dawes
amendments were voted down, and the house
passed the $4OO,OOO,OO0 bill on a vote of two
| to one.
In the Senate, however, instead of coming
TO A vote, Morton proceeded to make two
hours speech in reply to the speech of Sena
tor Shurz, two weeks ago. 1t was carefully
prepared, well studied effort, but it would
seem, fall of vulnerable points, for he had no
sooner concluded than Senator Shurz took
the floor and exposed his inconsistencies and
sophistries numerically. Morton thereupon
lost his temper and tried, by bitter remarks,
to draw Shurz into apersonal quarrel, but the
German kept perfectly cool and selcpossess-
ed, and by his repeated goodnatured answers,
got Morton so ashamed Of himself, that he
changed his tactics and attempted to outvie
Shurz in courtesy. Finally Sherman, Conk.
ling and Others joined in much to the amuse.
ment of the wcll-tilled galleries. The question
in the Senate was on what is called Sherman's
compromise bill, to limit the greenback issue
to $3.50, 100000. 1t was debated through two
days. and finally, on Thursday, a vote was
reached. The bill was amended to raise the
issue of greenbacks to $400,000000' the same
as in the house, and in that shape passed by
a vote of 81 to 2G The vote not being on the
house bill, however, the action is not final
though both houses being thus agreed to in
flate, the one will readily enough pass the
others bill.
INTERSTATE RAILROADS,
Mr.. Hoar, Of Massachusetts, occupied the
House on Tuesday for a couple of hours in
favor of the bill to regulate intestate com.
merce on railroads, upon which the house
proceeded to vote, and contrary TO eXpecta-
ton, on trial. there was found to be NtCid.
ed majority in the house in favor Of the bill
It asserts the right of Congress to regulate
'reights and fares on all railroads passing
rom one state into another and proceeds to
prescribe some wholesome general regula.
ions in the premises.
ATLANTIC X GREAT WESTERN CANAL.
The Senate Internal Improvement Com
nittee has unanimously agreed to report
gains: the Cumberland river and Georgia
anal project, as also against the James River
anal. This indicates that none of these wa
er transportation projects need expect favor
rom the present congress.
VAN BURN.
The Senate having confirmed the appoint
lent Of Van Buren, to Japan, Minister Jay,
t Vienna, who removed him as L. 5. Com
Missioner to the Vienna exposition, regards
ne action of the senate as personal attront,
nd it is said will at once resign.