The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-01-14
NATIONAL LEGISLATION.


Brief Resume of some of the Impor-
tant Bills Introduced in Congress.
Our Congressional Solons reassembled
at the National Capital on Wednesday,
the 9th inst, after two weeks holiday
recess, and have settled down, it is
hoped, to the earnest business of the
session. A number of important meas
ures have already been introduced.
Senator Harvey, of Kansas, proposes
to investigate the habits of the pestifer-
Gus grasshopper. His bill directs the
Commissioner of Agriculture to appoint
three Commissioners to make an investi-
cation and report as to the best method
of preventing the incursions of Rocky
Mountain lOcusts into the fertile States
and Territories.
Representative Hopkins, of Pennsyl-
vania, has introduced bill in relation
to the selection of jurors in the United
States Courts. 1t provides that each
United States Circuit Judge shall APP
point two citizens of different political
parties, resident of said District or Cir
cult, who, with the Judge, shall select
the jurors. In this way it is expected
that the jury system will be entirely
taken out of the political arena.
Representative Hardenburgh, of New
Jersey, has offered resolution recon-
mending to the people of the country
that they assemble in their several coun-
ties on next Fourth of July, and cause
to have delivered historical sketch of
each county from its formation, and that
u copy of said sketch be filed in the
Clerks Office OF the county, and another
copy in the office of the Librarian Of
Congress. In this way it is proposed
to obtain a complete history of the
country.
The Supplementary Resumption bill,
which was promised before the recess,
has been introduced in the Senate by
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont. 1t gives the
Secretary of the Treasury power to issue
bonds at not less than their face in green
backs, and to cancel the proceeds. The
bonds are to run 30 to 40 years, and bear
interest at four and half per cent. The
bill also provides that all notes or obi
cations made after the date for resump-
ton shall be payable in coin, unless
otherwise agreed.
Mr. Frye, of Maine, offers bill rela-
tive to the Geneva award. The original
bill provided for the payment of the
award after the dissolution of the Com
mission. That was to take place in one
year from its creation, but authority was
given the President to extend the time
six months. He did so. Tine expires
Jan. o.. This Congress extended the
time six months more. These extensions
put off the day of payment OF awards.
This bill proposes the immediate pay
ment of all the judgments already made,
amounting to 100000.
Mr.. Morrison offered resolution,
which was adopted, directing the several
committees having in charge matters
pertaining to Indian Affairs, Military
Affairs, Naval Affairs, Postoffices, Public
Lands, Public Buildings and Grounds,
Claims and War Claims, to inquire into
any abuses in the administration and ex-
ecution of the existing laws affecting
those branches of the public service.
Senator Dorsey has introduced bill
which will settle the whole controversy
regarding the Arkansas Hot Springs.
The property has been in litigation for
over fifty years, and the Court of Claims
has recently decided it to be govern
ment reservation. Dorsey's bill pro-
vides that the Springs themselves and
the park in which they are situated be
forever set apart for the benefit of the
public under the control of the Surgeon
General of the army, and that the pro-
prietors of both houses supplied with
water from the Springs be assessed n
nominal rental, sufficient to keep the
premises in order. The bill provides
that all the land he appraised by COM
mittee of three persons, neither of whom
shall be citizen of Arkansas, or in any
way interested, and sold at the appraised
value, the claimants to have the first OPP
portunity to purchase.
Senator Dorsey also has bill in refer
ence to the opening of the Indian Terri
tory to settlement, ana which has been
approved by the whole Congressional
delegation from the Southwest. The
bill provides for a Territorial govern
ment, with the right of franchise secured
to all civilized Indians, and to all per
sons legally entitled to settlement in the
Nations. The distinguishing feature of
the bill is that it provides for the divis-
ion of all the land equally among the In
dians, only giving the heads of families
100 acres more than single persons, and
providing that 160 acres of land given
to each Indian cannot be alienated fol
twenty years.
Dutch Cunning.