The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-12
From Washington,
FINANCTAy

While there is admitted TO be n oood leeI
OIL division OF sentiment among the democrats
IN congress on the currency question. the
outside pressure for some definite policy and
In favor OF the repeal of the re-
sumption act OF last session, is so great THAT
the democrats have been forced, as il were ,o
reconcile their differences among themselves
and agree on some definite measure The
bill agreed upon has not yet been perfected
in all its detail, but the following are said to
be Its leading points
]. A repeal ofthe present resumption acr
2. The establishment of sinking fund
this sinking fund to be used for ultimate re,
sumption without contraction of the present
volume fpaper currency.
3. No interference with the national bank.
ing system, as 1t exists, with provision.
however, prohibiting a renewal of the char
tiers of banks when they expire. These
charters run out in the period between 1881
and 1890.
Mr.. Campbell-our Campbell-presented
to the house on Monday bill embodying his
curious financial scheme, which contem-
plates turning over the entire treasury de.
partment to board of twenty commissioners,
&c. The scheme has heretofore been review
ed in the FREE TRADER. OF course the
house will never give it an hours attention.
BANKRUPT ACT
The house on Tuesday took up and with
out wasting much time in debate, passed an
act to repeal the present bankrupt law. The
vote was 1856 in favor to 81 against the repeal.
The fate of the bill in the senate, however, is
regarded as doubtful
PINCHBACK.
The case Of the niger burglar Pinchback,
who claims a seat in the senate as senator
elected by the bogus Kellogg legislature OF
louisiana is still undisposed Of Morton,
who talked part of two days in his favor, was
followed by Thurman and Christiancy in
vigorous speeches against him, and then
Howe, of Wis, mumbled through four
hours speech which was construed both to
favor and oppose his claim.
DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATIONS.
The house has spent most Of the present
week on the diplomatic appropriation bill,
by which large reductions are made from
former appropriations in that department.
Mr.. Springer. of Illinois, has charge Of the
bill, and as he has just got through with a
very successful investigation Of the plumber
ings of late years in the diplomatic depart
ment he is defending the bill with an intellI-
gence and vsor that rather surprise the re-
publican leaders, who naturally oppose the
looping of of single dollar Of expenses
anywhere.
BLAINEs sPLuRGE.
Ex-speaker Blaine availed himself on
Thursday, IN the discussion Of the diploma
tic appropriation bill, to make big splurge
on the financial question. As the topics ne
discussed had no reference to the bill before
the house, of course the speech was purely
for Buncombe. However, it was a strong
and well constructed argument in favor of an
early return to specie payment, and weak
only in the attempt to showthat the democra-
tic party were the sole friends and nurses Of
the rag baby,-a statement which was disprov
ed then and there by Kelly, Of Pa, at once
making an effort to get the floor to reply to
him.
The Philadelphians are growing uneasy
over the delay Of the senate in acting on the
centennial appropriation bill. Their uneasi-
ness was increased on Wednesday by Ed
'munds making a violent speech against it.
Cameron however, treasured them by vigor
ously defending the grab.
Il THE LATE SENATOR FERRY.
i Both houses gave up most of Tuesday to
passing resolutions in reference to ana pro
nouncing eulogies on the late senator Ferry,
of Conn. An interesting feature in the pro
ceedinps was the fact that Mr.. Garfield, i'll
lieu of any remarks of his own, read the
speech prepared on the subject by Mr.. Stalk
weather, himself since dead.
i \ SURPRISE.
!, The House committee on appropriations
had q genuine surprise on Saturday by Inter
nal Revenue Commissioner Pratt appearing
before them and stating his belief that there
is no necessity for keeping SO many men as
are at present employed in his bureau anu
that the internal taxes can be collected AT
much less expense than they are at present.
If there IS another official IN Washington
who believes thai his Office is too expensively
managed, or who is willing to assist IN re-
trenchment, or who believes there is any ex-
trsvarance IN any department OF the govern
ment anywhere, his name has not been made
known up to this present
, CORRUPTION.
Half dozen OF committees are still DEW
inc in the different departments daily bring
ing to light new mines of extravaganza ana
corruption. In attempting 10 get at the JoD-
, berry in the navy department, the committee
f find their way blocked by very large nguFes
attached in lump 20 specified jobs, without
$ particulars as to the items OF whicn 'he 70
.5 The committee have de-