Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-14

by It's law Tor the f4ltnlul approprlatlon Of alt
such proceeds; and as security against any
misapplication of them, the State should be
respon sible to the u. s. for all such portions
Of such proceeds not go faithfully applied at
the expiration Of the time fixed for the com.
pletion of the road, and the lands sold to be
estimated at 81 Is per acre. and those nasoid
to revert to the o. s.. but The title of purchas.
ers and mortgages under the State TO reuain
- .---'
IL. It should be provided that the granted
lands shall not be leased by State or its trans
ferees, before the road is finished, for q longer
time than Eve years. This provision, We pre- |
sumo is suggested to quiet the apprehension
of anti renters and anti land -monopolists. and
to force sales at reasonable prices to settlers,
and is perhaps wise precaution.
r. The "alternate section retained by
the U. S. within miles of the road should be
reserved from private entry and offered at
at public sale for 81 so or over. per acre, and
then made subject to entry at same minimum
price Of 50 so. Il
Ii. The land on the lines of the proposed
route should be reserved from sale forthwith
on application in behalf Of the State &C., till
the route is finished and then patented to the
State or its assigns. s.os sa Sass
We are inclined to the opinion that the
adoption of the above rules will have salu-
tary operation and effect. They would doubt
less do much to break up the pcrnicious sys-
tenn of lobbying and log-rolling and bargain
ing in such matters Besides these rules, if
Congress was to require all parties urging
grants to be made to States for railroads, and,
in fact, all claims and projects, to present
printed memorials and printed statements of
ali the facts and arguments they advance,
and the proofs, and to have each member pro-
vided with copy; and even provide that
such parties shall make publications in news
papers of general circulation here, such sys-
TEN would have like good effect Such open
and shoye-board course would protect honest
parties and detect the rogues. Contrary and
conflicting statements and arguments could
not be used to different members. Honest
parties could not be plucked and plundered
by miscreants figuring as lobby borers and
agents affecting to have tremendous influence
with this and that and the other member of
Congress, and the power to secure his cote
This class Of people never use arguments
founded on principle but prefer sinister con-
siderations. 1t might, perhaps, affect the
terapin, oyster, canvas back duck, venison
and wine trade Of this city, but it would pro-
mote good morals, cary hours and diminish
headaches and heartaches, and certainly 'ssays
expense
We are in favor Of the grants Of alternate
sections to States for railroads through the
public lands. We rccol!ect that Mr. Guthrie
the present Secretary Of the Treasury, was
one Of the distinguished committee of the
celebrated Memphis Internal Improvement
Convention in 1915, who made an elaborate
and able report in its favor, the views adj
vanccd ill which were adopted by Mr.. Cal.
houn. IA Chairman of the Select Committeeof
the |. :. Senate in bis report If June, 1916,
lin The Senate documents of that year.) Mr.
c. strongly recommended such grants The
doctrines and principle; Of those reports in
this respect are sound. They steer clear of
all the refined objections made by strict con-
StructioDis:s Cf the Virginia school. But too
much vigilance cannot be exercised, nor too
great caution observed to prevent these being
pros'itutcd to 5uhserye tn, purposes OF srecu-
ia:oIs and joAbers, pccunisry and political,
aud at the same iule be MT lie to advance and
promote the public veal.
MAJOR HoBBIE IIElLrH-Wc are pleased
in being able To inform our readers that
Majnr H,bbje, lst Assistant Postmaster Ger
eral, VII" mas .aea sivk fnr some time past.
has never hecn so low IA Geographic reports
from this city have made him. We learn, this
morning, that he is fas: recovering bis health
and Is expected to DC at his post in two or
tbreS days.
OFFICERS SEA, LEAVE AND HosrlrsI PAY.
Under the rules adopted in the Navy Depart
ment, and by the accounting officers, 81
officer undergoing treatment ut naval hos
pital, while yet attached to a sea going vessel
is entitled to sea-ray, il his absence from his
ship does not exceed three months IT, how
ever. he should be detached from the shin
within three months without returning to her
he can be paid only rs on leave of absence
from the time he left her. If no remain in
the hospital three months without having boep
detached, his sca-scrvice pay must then cease
and he must theneeforth be allowed only
leave OF absence pay until he rejoins the ycs-
sci, or enters on some othor duty.
SICK SEAxAN's PAY-It is held by tho
accounting officers of the Government that
seaman on the sick-list in the hospital. not
in condition to be discharged, is not entitled
to pay after tho term of his enlistment has
expired.