Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-06
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Nav j

SENATE. The Usage Indian land bill came
up, the question being on an amendment of
| Mr. Ross to take the lands from the Indians
at 20 cents an acre. and give them to certain
railroads in Kansas as specified sums, and
giving settlers on the reservation the right to
purchase 100 acres each at l.25 an acre
Mr. Morrill, of Maine made an argument
| against the measure, and said the bill was
generally Objectionable, and that its passage
would be legislative scandal. He moved to
re-commit the bill, with instructions to the
Committee to report a bill tor the removal of
the Usage Iadians to the Indian territory, and
tor the sale of their reservation for cash, as
other public lands are disposed of.
The bill was then laid aside.
The bill to abolish the Franking privilege
came up as the special order, and MIR. Stew
art moved to pass over the bill and to take up
| the next special order, the bill 10 enforce the
10Th amendment, which was rejected, 20 to
80.
Mr.. Conkling appealed to the Senate to act
on the bill at once.
After considerable discussion, interspersed
with unsuccessful motions to adjourn, the
Senate voted 26 to 81 to pass over the frank
ing bill.
The executive legislature and judicial ap-
preparation bill was then taken up, and the
Senate adjourned.
House The Senate bill authorizing the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company to issue
bonds for the construction of its road, and to
secure the same by mortgage coming up, Mr..
Weeeler Of n. y, moved to put the bill on
its passage, and addressed the House in ex-
PLANTATION and advocacy of 1t.
Mr.. Hawley of H., proposed to offer an
amendment, requiring all the land granted to
the company to be sold to actual settlers, IN
sections not greater than 100 acres to one
person, and at prices not exceeding SIG
per acre.
Mr.. Wilson opposed the bill and Immigrant
system, as wrong in principle and an outrage
on the tax progress.
Mr.. Conger of Mich, advocated the bill,
contending that the land would be valuess
without the railroad.
Mr.. Garfield of Ohio opposed Mr.. Haw-
ley's amendment as calculated to throttle the
company.
Mr.. Wheeler of New York closed the dis
cussion, and the previous question excluding
all amendments was seconded, Is to "a.
a motion to table the bill, to adjourn, and
to reconsider the vote, ordering the main
question having been successfully rejected
by yeas and nays, Mr.. Voorhees, of Indiana
suggested that 1t be agreed that vote be
taken on Wednesday.
Mr.. Wheeler consented, but refused to al
low Mr.. Hawley's amendment, and the voting
on the filibustering was continued.
After some further voting on dilitory mo-
tons, MIR. HoAr inquired whether it was with
in the power of one fifth of the members to
defeat the action.
The Speaker stated that it had been invari-
bly the practice OF the House; that 1t was
unnecessary to discuss it, and it was decided
ly in the power to the minority to prevent
action on the bill, except when motion to
suspend the rules could be made, as on Mon
dav. and for the last ten days of the session.
Mr.. Wheeler persisted in his refusal to al
low Mr.. Hawleys amendment to remain
pending with the bill, and finally amid much
excitement, motion to adjourn prevailed,
rs to CT, and the House adjourned till Mon
day.