The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-07-08
CONGRESS-.

In view of the fact that most of the appro-
prlation bills have failed to pass before the
commencement of the new fiscal year, on the
lst inst. both houses on the Both agreed
to joint resolution temporarily providing for
the expenditures Of the government until the
regular appropriations can be made.
There was warm debate IN the senate on
Monday, and many sharp words were SAID, in
reference to the house bill to pay tor the med.
ical services in the case OF the late
President Garfield. The house committee
after cutting down the bills Of the
various su gcons as claimed about onehalf
allowed them $4,000 The senate cnt down
the figures to $4,000, including the Garfield
funeral expenses, allowing the surgeons alone
but $50 O0 and in this shape sen, the bill
back to the house.
The house is still hammering away on the
naval appropriation bill, the main fight being
against strong lobby pressure from without
and ring of corruptionlsts within, for large
appropriations to complete series of corrupt
iron clad jobs inaugurated while Robson was
secretary Of the navy.
The closing debate on the bill on Thursday
was rather exciting. Robson took occasion
to make general reply to the assaults made
upon him during the discussion, bearing
down with especial severity on Mr. Whit
thorne, who responded with like asperlty
ending up by declaring Robson falsifier
and perjurer The bill passed by ll9 to 10,
The senate on Thursday took up the river
and harbor bill from the house, Mr. Allison
offering the amendment of which he had given
notice to add 100000 to begin work on the
IIennepin canal No vote was reached.
Among the sensations in the house on
Wednesday was the introduction OF a bill by
Mr. Berry to abolish the state OF Nevada.
There is no doubt but that the admission OF
Nevada as state, the sole purpose of which
was to give the republican party two addi
tional members of the senate, when the terri.
tory was still far short of the requisite pOpula.
ton to entlte it to admission, was gross and
inexcusable fraud, but how full iledged "free
ana independent state" is to be Invested of IFS
Sovereignty" and put back into Its territorial
Iswaddling clothes is problem the solution
Of which, we imagine, will puzzle even as
astute a constitutional lawyer as Mr. Berry.
Another surprise to the house was the receipt
from the senate on Monday of joint resolu.
ton which that body had adopted, for the is.
sue of some $4,000 600 of 2 per cent. govern.
ment bonds with which to take up that
amount of 80 per cent bonds that had been
issued, 1t will be remembered, as a makeshlft,
by secretary Window a year ago. The reso-
luton was passed by the senate at the request
of secretary Folger who stated that certain
banks holding that amount of 315 per cents.
liable to be called IN at any time, were wil-
ling to exchange them for 2 per cents on long
time The house, Of course will not hesitate
to agree to the resolution rs soon as 1t can
come up. The passage Of the resolution and
carrying it into effect will give the United
States the proud prominence Of beng the
only government on earth that can float Its
bonds at par bearing the low rate of two per
cent. interest.