The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-01-27
From Springfield.
THE SHNATORSHIP.

THE sENATORSHlP.
After week of intense excitement uncer-
talnty and anxiety, the democrats and inde-
pendents finally effected n perfect union and
did most sensible act, in electing Judge
David Davis to the United States senate.
The first break in the programme as 1t stood
last week was the withdrawal of Palmer in
'he democratic caucus on Saturday night,
ana the nomination of Anderson by the eau
Gus In his place. Five ballots on Monday,
however, showed that the problem was no
nearer solution. Anderson could get but
Palmer's ~ votes, while Logan held steadily
TO his ninety and nine. On Tuesday, to the
dismay OF The Loganites, his party began to
scatter, and Washburn, Lawrence and others
began to get votes This showed Logan that
his race was run, and on Tuesday evening
he went into the republican caucus and with
drew his name the caucus thereupon nomin-
ating Judge Lawrence. The democ, ats were
equal to the emergencies this movement
brought up, and meeting also in caucus,
dropped Anderson and nominated Judge
Davis This movement thoroughly scared
and demoralized the opposition, who, after
one or two trials on Wednesday, virtually
gave up the fight. Professedly voting for
Lawrence, they scattered wildly, Lawrence
seldom getting over 70 or IS votes The
democrats and independents steadily concen-
trated more and more on Davis, so that at
the last ballot on Wednesday evening he
lacked but two votes those Of kehoe and
Hickey-ofan election, and the convention
adjourned amid intense excitement. During
Wednesday night it is evident Kehoe and
Hickey were duly "labored" with, for at the
first ballot on Thursday --the 10th ballot
both their voices rung out clear for Davis,
and he was elected, getting 101 votes, to Law
renee "a. The tension upon the two houses
up to this haepy climax appears to have been
so great that they suffered for rest, and
JOINT resolution was at once adopted to ad-
journ oyer to next Thursday
THE ELECTORAL COMPROMISE.
In both houses resolutions were offered on
Saturday approving the electoral compromise
proposed in congress, and by the house the
resolution was promptly passed. The senate,
however, deferred action until Thursday,
and then the house reconsldered and did the
same.
BANKRUPT RAILROAD.
Both houses have agreed to appoint com
mission to ascertain the number of bankl upt
railroads!in the state operated by receivers,
their condition, &c.
HENRY DAM DAMAGES.
A similar commission has been agreed
upon to examine and report upon the damage
from overlooked lands caused by the Henry
dam.
REVENUE LAW.
A like joint committee of the two houses,
consisting of five senators and nine represen-
tatives, has been ordered to revise and recon.
mend amendments to the revenue law.
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS.
Mr.. Hardeman has introduced a bill of
some importance IN regard to municipal in
debtedness. 1t has for its object the amend
ment of the law so as to allow the refundIng
of county and city Indebtedness contracted
since the passage OF the act of 1865, by leav-
ing out the word heretofore" which occurs
in the first section of said act, upon such
terms as the holders of such Indebtedness and
the people of such county or city may agree,
the interest of the new bonds not to exceed 10
per cent. The purpose of the bill is to per
NIT the county of Macoupin and other coun-
ties and also cities owing Indebtedness con-
tracted since 1866 to effect compromise
with the holders of such Indebtedness.
LIQUOR LAW.
Senator HOerner is pushing a bill greatly
the seventies of the present liquor
law towards dealers selling liquor to minors.
1t doubles the fines and inflicts imprison-
nent on every conviction.
BRIBERY.
Representative Sheridan caused some com
motion one day last week by reporting that
IN agent of Logan had made an attempt to
Dribe him. 4 committee was at once order
I'd to investigate the matter, of which, 1t
seems, l.. b. Crooker was a member Mr..
Harrington, the chairman, on Saturday, com
planned that the conduct of Mr.. Croker and
lis republican colleagues on the committee
vas so fictitious that it was impossible TO
make the investigation, and asked tor an OIL
,er and reporter. The request was granted.
PAY OF JURORS.
Mr.. Armstrong, on the 10Th, introduced
pill in the house providing tor the payment
IF the fees of grand and petit jurors out of the
reasury of the counties in which the courts
where they serve are held. Referred TO the
judiciary committee.