The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-03-22
BEHIND In ITS WORK.
CONGRESS CROWDED WITH BUSINESS.
Little Likelihood Of an Early Adjourn
ment-Questionable Practices OF the
Alaska Seal COmpany-Counterfeit
Certifcates-Congress
STACKS OF BILLS.


on the calendar of the Committee OF the
Whole House on the State of the Union
ninety bills, each involving an appropriation
of money, exclusive of the general apprO-
priatOn bills, fourteen in number, and not
yet disposed of. On the House calendar
there are sixty eight. These do not involve
appropriations, but are matter of general
| legislation. Some of them are Of an i'm
por,ant character. Besides these there are
go private bills to be disposed of or go over
to the end of Congress and then die, only to
come up in the Forty-ninth Congress. As
remarked by member few days
since "The claimant may die, but
the claim is immortal" Each call Of
the committees, to which, under the
rule, an hour is devoted each morning,
swells these calendars. In addition TO these
calendar measures there are nearly Il hun
bred bills on the Speakers table that have
passed the Senate and been sent to the
House, but which have not been referred to
committees for consideration. The reports
from the Committee on Elections on contest
ed election cases will soon be coming in.
They will be numerous, and being questions
of high privilege can he called up at any
time. Each one of these contested cases is
likely to occupy the time OF the House for
at least one day With these facts in view
the early adjournment of Congress promised
at the beginning Of the session does not
seem probable.
JUSTICE MILLER'S ASPIRATIONS.
The Presidential fever has reached the
....lI I...,
Gently been discovered that Mr.. Justice
Miller, of Iowa, is a candidate. and that
his friends are endeayOring to secure dele
gates for him 10 the Chicago Con-
ventiOn. The movement, although kept re-
markably quiet so far, has considerable pro-
portions, and has the support of some in
fuential combinations in Iowa. The pur-
pose is not to formally announce his can
didacy until after the delegates shall have
been selected when 1t will appear that they
will favor the nomination of Judge Miller.
II has not been learned that any attempt
has so far been made to secure delegates in
any other States.
Combines PRESIDENTIAL IDEAS.
Mr. Bedford, who is supposed to know a
good deal about Roscoe COnkling, was asked
by star reporter what were Mr.. Conk
ling's Presidential ideas. He said: 81 don't
like to talk about Mr.. Conkling's differences
with Mr.. Arthur, but will say this: The
man Mr.. Conkling favors for the nOmina-
ton is General Grant He thinks that
Grant is the best and most available man in
the Republican party. But If Grant can
not get il, and Mr.. Blaine is nominated by
the Chicago Convention, Mr.. COnkling
will enter vigorously and earnestly into the
and do all he can to secure his
election. As to Mr. Arthur, | don't want
to talk on that subject. II Blaine is nOmi-
mated Conklng will support him. He will
work for Grant or for Blaine if he is nOmi-
mated"
FAST MAIL WITHOUT EXTRA EXPENSE.
Postmaster General Gresham, who re-
turned here yesterday. says that the new
fast mail will not cost more than was paid
for the old mail facilities, and that 50 far it
is highly satisfactory to the POst-Ofiice De-
partment and to the public.
FRUIT BRANDY.
The House Committee on Agriculture has
authorized that favorable report be made
on the bill allowing persons to manufacture
wine or brandy out Of apples, peaches,
grapes and other perishable fruits raised by
himself or his tenants from any internal
revenue tax or restrictions.
OPPOSED 10 ANOTHER JEANNETTE INvEs-
TIGAToE.
Secretary Chandler has written person
oil letter to Chairman Cox, Of the House
Committee on Naval Affairs, protesting
strongly against second investigation Of
the Jeanette expedition. He declares that |
Jerome Collins friends had every 0ppoP-
tunity on the first investigation to ascertain
the facts Of the case, and the proposed re-
opening was pitiless sacrilege Of the |
graves of the dead for the purpose of in
decently calling public attention to trivial
difficulties which had no influence In bring |
ny about the disasters to the expedition, |
and no pernicious effect upon its general
conduct
A FIELD FOR INVESTIGATION.
A resolution offered in the House Monday |
by Mr.. Henry, California;, calling for the
appointment of q special committee to in
yestigate the contract with the Alaska Seal
Fur Company was based upon charge |
that the Company secured the exclusive |
privilege to catch seals, paying therefor
but $4,000 a year, for twen-
ty years, while responsible company in
California offered at the time the
ease was made S272, 500 for the same privi-
ege. Charges of gross fav0ritism and cor
ruption are also preferred. 1t is said the
profits of the company amount to from 81
500, 900 to ST. 600. 900 year, and that ii costs
out "a to Law down each seal-skin in Lon
lon, the average wholesale price for the
same being $50. The company can catch
700, 900 year, and it is alleged it frequent
y doubles the catch. The resolution was
'eferred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.
OSCAR wIIDE's PICTURE CAN BE COPY
RIGIITED.
The United States Supreme COnrt has
decided the suit of Napoleon Sarony against
he BarrOw-Gile Lithographic Company, of
New York. for infringement of the formers
upon Oscar Wiide's posing photo
raph. The court held that such picture
was an original work of art, and therefore
'ould be copyrighted.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
In the Senate on the 18th JOINT resolution
vas passed--f0 70 H-appropriating "a 700 to
be used by the Commissioner of Agriculture
with the co-operat,on OF the authorities of the
States In which 1t may Do used for stamping
,ut the foot and mouth disease, the Govern
nent not To he committed beyond the amount
named The bill extending the term OF the |
ourt of Alabama Claims until December IL,
As4 was passed Petitions were presented
rem several commercial bodies ask