The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-01-16
FROM SPRINGFIELD.
How TO GET THERE.

wee as we might deem necessary, to ascertain
~he'her the new capital should stand or be
rased to the ground, and to assist the State
Legislature in organizing on the day before
'he solons OF the state convened in general as
sembly, we "buttered our brogans,n put An
extra quantity OF bears oil on our hair. polisl.
ed our trout teeth, tied our crayat in an extra
knot, and hied ourself to the center of attrac.
ton, the Mecca of Illinois politicians. thc
place wheFe country statesmen, gay and festive
gamboliers,' and the swell mob of the
west in general do congregate.
The route chosen from Ottawa is the mos,
direct, viz; Arriving at Streator at | PM.
thence to the railroad crossing at Pontiac. on
the Streator, Fairbury & Paducah road
where we find the afternoon passenger train
in waiting, southwark bound Rattlinr
through one of the richest sections OF the
state, passing Pontiac, Chenoa, Normal, and
Bloomington, the last two having popula
ton OF 3O,0Oo,-on through Lincoln, one Of
the best corn towns in Illinois, we eventually
at q o'clock p. NJ, dash into the city Of our
destination, and proceed to investigate
SPRINGFIELD
This is large, and sometimes beautiful
iplace. The population is estimated at from
fifteen to forty ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS upon
whether the Legislature is in session or not;
also whether the oger IS in the blood or other
wise.
The city was full OF houses, the honse, full
Of people, and the people generally full OF
whisky. The town swarmed with polite
ians and bummcrs, street box orators, country
store wiseacres, and herd of shabby. gen
teel parties, who, on the ragged edged OF
dead.beatdom were here seeking for some
thing to turn up These, including gamblers
and their co.partners, prostitutes, were thick.
er than tke lice Of Egypt and scarcely less
pestilential.
After some difficulty in finding a hotel
with even an unoccupied cot, we sailed fork
to witness the proceedings of that modern in.
vention of American politics, known as
KING Caucus
the all powerful machine which governs
conventions, legislatures, and congress The
several political elements, to-wit: the demo.
Gratis, republicans, and INDEPENDENTS Oh
Tuesday evening, 9th inst, met at the lie
land Hotel, the grand caravansary Of the city,
and proceed to discuss, cuss and recuss the
situation. The democrats and independent,
had the majority IN both branches Of the as
sembly, but the independents had the balance
Of power and claimed their advantage Con
sequently each of the three parties made u
separate nomination for speaker of the house
and president fthe senate. This was to
make show of fight This grand caucus OF
which We speak was to harmonic the con
ficting elements, if possible. The republi
can party, being in the minority, did its Level
best to rim the independents the democracy
moved heaven and earth TO hold them. Thus
the conflict thickened and grew hot. The
democrats in caucus had put up their cham
pion for the speakership Hon. - Cumnmins
The republicans had chosen for the same post
Hon. - Cullon. The independents merely
waited TO see how the cat would jump, but 1t
was understood they preferred Hon. L. N.
Halnes, of Lake. The balloting began, and
warily did every customer watch the other
The two great parties, the democratic and re
publican, fearing that neither was sure OF
any advantage over the other, az length cast
their bread upon the waters, anC elected TIE
choice of the independents, Hon. +. VI.
Haines as Speaker OF the House, and he
made the usual speech, with his hand upon
his heart and tears IN his eyes, feeling too
full for utterance and as proud IS he was un-
worthy of the unexpected honor, &c, espec-
tally when he reflected that there were so many
more able men present, &c. &C. applause
&c, &c In the senate the republicans had
chosen che Early, mot Jubal Of rebel fame
for vice president. The democrats nominated
for the vacant presidency, Hon. Sam. Casey,
and the independents bushwhacked to sui
themselves The battle ragged long and fierce
ly between Casey and Farley, the republl-
cans regularly giving their twen,y.thFee bal
lots 10 Farley, the remainder OF the u being
divided among several, Casey getting from IL
to IS votes-with &c necessary for Il choice.
At length Casey in despair withdrew, and
after few more ballots, Hon. y. \. Glenn,
liberal democrat, who had received several
votes from the start, also withdrew, but not
withs'auding this, his friends continued to
stand by him until one radical and two indie
pcndents, disguised with the length of the
cruel war. voted for Glenn, ard the battle was
over. Thus the two houses were organized,
the selection oi clerks and minor officers be
Ing an easy matter.
IOTEI>.
Springfield has numerous and large hotels,
and these have numerous and large prices.
For regular board from two and a half 10
f,ur dollars per dag. and :hcn there are a few
extras, for instance, for fire in your room