The Ottawa free trader., 1876-01-08
CoNGREss.


ing after the interests of the nation 1t is SAID
the brief space occupied by the members in
mlngling with their constituents has had a
visible effect in toning some of them down
from the ardent impulsiveness with which
they set out before The holidays. There is less
eagerness for speaking to Buncombe; the
financial philosophers have lost confidence
in the immaculacy Of their various schemes
to make money plenty and cheap; and the
general disposition to run into damphoolish-
ness is visibly checked. The indications are
that there will be wise and substantial re-
duction of expendtures,-Randall says the
appropriations must be reduced $50,OOO,OOO;
and on the subjec! of the currency, while 1t is
believed the bungling resumption act of the
last congress will be repealed, it is doubted
whether a sensible practicable act to bring
about specie payment can be passed; but at
the same time there is no danger of the adop'
ton of any nonsensical initiation scheme In
deed initiation is practically dead. Even
those who talked loudest IN its favor before
their constituents, deny that they are intia'
tionists in Washington, and all express an
anxiety to get back to honest money.
Both houses re.assembled at 12 o'clock on
Wednesday. In the senate MIR. Morrill, intro
duced q bill to provide for the redemption OF
greenbacks by their exchange for AZ per
cent. government bonds. The bill, he SAID,
was intended simply TO give greater efficien'
cy TO the resumption law of the last session.
Morton's Mississippi resolution coming up,
that gentleman said he understood his col
league (McDonald, democrat,) had a substi-
tute to offer, who being now absent he moved
to let the matter 60 over until Monday, which
was agreed to- Several bills were introduced,
among them one to enquire into the habits
of the Rocky Mountain locusts," after which
the senate adjourned.
In the house several hours were spent in
the formal business Of distributing the Presi-
dents message to the various committees
Mr.. Morrison introduced resolution looking
to an investigation of the alleged frauds in
the post office, naval and Indian departments
Mr.. Lawrence offered a resolution directing
the judiciary committee to report some meas.
ure by which the Pacific Railroad company
may be compelled to indemnify the govern
ment for the interest it is obliged to pay on
the subsidy bonds issued to that road, and
then the balance of the day was given to
Buncombc. Mr.. Cason, an Indiana republi-
can, introduced a resolution, recommending
to the people the utmost care and watchfdl-
ness over the rights and interests OF those brave
men, (meaning the boys in blue) seeing that
they are preferred in the distribution of Off
ces, &c. The resolution passed without oppo-
sition. Then our Illinois Fort again mount
ed his little hobby horse and offered reso-
luton declaring that the doctrine just an.
nounced by the house being wise and just, 1t
ought to be applied in appointing the subOr-
dinate officers of the house. Mr.. Harrison
proposed to amend by adding that at the same
time, however, the Jefersonisn test-"Is he
honcst-is he capable s"-ought not to be
overlooked The matter caused wrangle
which lasted three or four hours, at the end
of which the subject was referred to the COM
miitee on the centennial celebration; and the
house adjourned.
On Thursday, in the senate the committee
to whom had been referred the Edmunds
resolution in reference to electing new
president of the senate reported-twc mem
bers dissenting-ia favor OF the power of the
senate to proceed to such an election.
Mr. Sargent submitted resolution similar
to that yesterday adopted by the house, in ref
erence to compelling the Pacific Railroad to
pay the interest on its subsidy bonds.
Mr.. Morrill, got the floor and made speech
on his grcsnback bill introduced yesterday.
Mr.. Bogy, Mr.. Thurman and Mr.. Edmunds
spoke on the same subject, after which the
bill was referred.
The house, in the absence of any reports
from committees, ran wild again after all
kinds of small business. Showers of new
bills were introduced, and resolutions cover
ing every feature of legislation. The "blue
coat" question of yesterday was revived by
resolution of Judge New, of N Y, in effect
that, as this is centennial year, there ought to
be forgiveness, joining of hands, and an
honest effort to live in peace, &c, bu: nothing
was done with it.
Mr.. Blaine, In the course Of the day inquir-
ed of Randall whether he intended to ask the
house to vote on his amnesty bill next Mon
day. Randall said he did Blaine said in
that case he had an amendment to offer, to
extend amnesty to all except JEFF Davis. At
4 O'Clock the house adjourned.
INDEPENDENT STATE CONVENTION.
The Indenendent voters of the state of Hi.