The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-12-18

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. II, 1Se

(From regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. II, 1880.
The opening of the third session of the For
ty-sixth Congress was not particularly inter
esting. There were fewer than the usual NUM-
Der of slghtseers at the Capitol, but the gal
leries, except those set apart for the Diplomat
ic corps, were well filed In the House, be-
fore the gavel fell, the members were demon
strative and noisy in their mutual greetings;
in the Senate they were cordial but dignlfed,
as becomes members of the American House
of Peers To those, however, who understood
what may be called the private social history
of Congress, 1t was interesting to distinguish
the greetings OF crones from those who shake
hands automatically or politically The aver
age American politician has, perhaps, thin
ner veneering of deceltful pollteness than his
prototype in any other country.
The chaplans of the two houses were very
brief in their religious services, and Congress
was soon ready for Mr.. Hayes's circular, which
was of unusual length and novelty. He re-
recommended that General Grant be made cap
tain general" with suitable salary, for life,
and General McCook has introduced bill in
the House to give legislative effect to this re-
commentator. The bill will certainly not
be unanimously favored by the Military Com
m,ttee and it is said that General Joseph +.
Johnston Will oppose it in committee, If not
in the House General McCook's bill has been
the subject of much discussion in military and
political circles. 1t is believed to cmbody the
wishes of tho coming administration, and
probably to he part of the pact at Mentor
The introducer of the bill is not one of the
crowd who has made fetch Of General Grant
but he is warm personal friend of General
Garfield and the bill will certainly not be We
toed by the coming President, if it shall reach
L him.
The week has been spent by the House most
lly in useless debate on the subject of the elec
toral count Democrats holding that the vote
for President should be counted by Congress
aud Republicans holding the other theory thai
the Vice.President of the United States is alone
competent to open and announce the result Of
the Presidential election returns.
The House Appropriations Committee, oil
vided into subcommittee, has gone vigorous
ly to work on the general appropriation bills
but is not probable, at the rate time Is wasted
now, that any OF these bills will be passed un
ill after the Holiday recess. Adjournment fol
the Christmas vacation will probably be from
the 22d of December to the I'd Of January Some
Western and some Southern members are op
posed to any adjournment tor the Holidays
, but the usual rule will be followed, and Con
vress will take a rest Of least ten days from 1T
not very arduous work.
On the 9th inst. the Senate adjourned ovei
until Monday, the 18th.
Senators Hampton Conkllng, Lamar, Ed
munds, Butler, Logan, Sharon aud Jones, Of
Nevada, have not yet made their appearance
I IN the Senate Chamber.
Ex-Secretary of the Navy Robson got 80 far
at sea in a recent debate Us To address the
House as Gentlemen Of the jury