The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-03-31
Current Events.


The week has been noted for storms of
magnitude, NOT only In America but III
Europe. Late IN last week the cold snap
of this part of the country was howllng
blizzard in the Northwest, as severe In some
respects as any of the winter, ana renewing
tue earth covering OF Ice and snow that
had begun to disappear before the APP
proaching spring. In Tennessee, Georgia,
Nc, il developed as furious wind ana
rain storm-in some parts OF the south the
wind assuming the proportions OF cy-
clone. Later, veritable cyclone swept
over Kansas, doing much damage. In
Europe the storm became flood, aud parts
AT Germany and Hungary suffered to an
appalling extent. AloBg the Elbe, Nogart,
Vistula and Oden rivers near 40 villages
and hamlets were washed away; and over
eight thousand people are homeless. Great
IN asses Of ice In the rivers tore away
bridgea, entertainments and miles and
miles of railway on Tuesday and Wednes-
day we're under water While endeavoriDg
70 break an Ice gorge IA soldiers were
killed. The suffering Is so great that the
government has been called on for aid, and
subscriptions have been started by several
of the newspapers.
Balfour's Land Court bill has been read
for the first time. 1t Is looked upon as
means 70 undo the work Of the commits
sioners under the laws Of 1881 and 1885 by
which reduction In rents In Ireland of
over $40, 000O00 had been made.
France has been scandalized by the re-
versal by an appellate court In the Wilson
case, whereby the great distributor Of the
legion of honor decorations has been re-.
leased. The people had just recovered
their breath from this explosion when 1t
was followed by the decree removing Gen.
Boulanger from the army. In both cases
the people are highly indignant
The new Chinese treaty has been made
public. 1t provides for stoppsge OF i'm.
migration for the period of 20 years, This
does not apply to the return OF any China.
man who has family In this country, or
property Of 81, 900 or debts of that amount,
which right must be exercised within one
year. Residents shall have the right Of
transit, protection, &c, and the United
States government, while disclaiming re-
sponsibility therefor, agrees to pay 1915,
6l917 indemnity TO sufferers In the riots
OF the west of some time ago.
The anxiety Of congressman To get II
"whack" at the tariff shows itself In re-
peated tariff speeches whenever there Is the
remotest connection between II and the
subject In hand Senator Dorsey on
Thursday "got there In speech on the
message, In which he supported tina views
Of that document; and In the house, In
discussion of the Indian appropriation bill,
Mr.. Nelson, OF Minnesota, took advantage
of the prUmiscuous debate 10 argue In
favor OF tariff reform rs the true American
policy.
Senator Farwell has introduced a retail.
story bill under which by proclamation
imports from foreign countries who dis
criminate against. American products may
be absolutely prohibited.
The house COMMITTEES has completed liz
Investigation Of the manufacture OF IRE
fiued lard" by the packing houses, though
the introduction of the bill to tax the pro
duct In the same manner as Olamargarine
is taxed, will not take place Immediately
The investigation has shown an almost
universal adulteration of the product by
'uo phShCIb, VIM uoC WOOL Auts totSou oCVu
oil, &c, and has, II Is claimed, done great
damage to the packers,
The river and hnrDOr bill has been com
piled, and rs 10 appropriations Is the largest
ever submitted to congress, aggregating
Sl9,432, 1888. Tae Illinois share Is u little
snort of 100000 The Illinois river i'm.
provements get 500 600 and II survey of
the Illinois and Desplaines rivers, with
view 70 the big waterway from the Lake to
the Mississippi, was ordered
The democrats In congress are not rush.
ing 70 Mr. Randall's side OF the house to
any alarming extent. La fact, the appear
prarance Of his scheme In cold type seems
IL have awakened the wavering democrats
10 realizing sense OF their duty in the
premises, So that the prospect of passing
the Mills hill Is better now than at any
time silce it was made public. The Mills
bill is still In the hands Of the committee
aud the republicans expect to have theirs
ready by the time the committee report to
tue house.
The death Of Chief Justice Morrison Il
Waite, of the United States supreme Court,
"a Friday last, was great surprise from
the fact that no notice OF his Illness had
heen given out, though he had been Ill
several days. He was buried on W ednes-
,isy at Toledo. He was appointed Chief
Justice by President Grant In 1874 upon
the death of Judge Chase, and though
prior TO that time, his reputation as a jurist
was local rather than national, his rulings
upon the bench demonstrated that he fully
appreciated the duties and responsibilities
Of the position As matter Of course any.
thing now said as 10 who will succeed HIM
would be mere speculation, though II is
worthy of note TO state that In no Instance
heretofore has vacancy 10 the position so
lately held by him been filed by the ap
pointment of one of the Associate Justices.
An awful mine disaster occurred at n
coal mine near Rich Hill. Mo, on Thurs
day last. There was an explosion which
completely wrecked the mine, burying In
the debris over 100 miners, who were cut
of from all means of escape. More than
40 dead were taken from the mine on
Thursday. The explosion was terrihc,
shaking every house In Rich Hill, six