The New York herald., 1876-01-27
CONGR E S S.
Pre-EmptiOn and Homestead Entries on
the Railroad Lands.
THE INTEREST ON THE 3.65 BONDS
lively Debate on the Military APP
preparation Bill
SENATE.

WASHINGTON Jan. 90 1915
Mr.. MORRILL,, (rep.) OF Me- from the Committee on
Appropriations reported, with amendment the House
1oint resolution directing the Commissioners OF the
District Of Columbia TO pay the Interest on the
S65 bonds, under Tie act OF June 20 1874 Placed on
lahe calendar.
Mr. MORRILL, gave notice that he would call up the
Aoint resolution to for action it neces
sary that the appropriation should made before the
end OF this month"; in order 10 meet the obligation OF
1he government falling due on the LIST Of February
PRE-EMProS HOMESTEAD ENTRIES.
The morning hour having expired the Chair laid be-
1ore The Senate the unfinished business the being
abe bill TO connrm pre-empon and homestead entries
OF public lands within the limits OF railroad grants in
tcases where such entries have made under the
Regulations of the Land Department.
Mr.. CHRlsrAScY, (repl OF Mich, moved that the
holll be referred to the,Judciary Committee
Mr.. BoGY, Cdeml OF Mo. said Congress night pass
this bill enable these settlers get Iheir lands, but
hhe railroad companies would contest their right and
be successful in ousting them lie believed Jaw
could be framed AVOID all this and friend OF the
Oil he hoped IL would be referred 10 The Judiciary
Committee 10 be perfected.
Mr. SHERMAN, rep Of ohio, said this was really
tconfict between railroad grants aud grants made 10
lpre-emptors and homestead settlers IL affected mill
tons OF people in the Western States lie had beard
eomplaints growing out OF aouOs as 10 the rght OF
tkcttIers The most marked case he knew OF was the
hone which occurred IN Iowa. where great number OF
leettlers deprived OF their homes, without any
shadow of Justice He IN favor OF giving TO the
Rettler the patent OF the United states where theH
claims IN pursuance OF tho preemption
mud homestead laws. Congress never Intended that
railroad companies should have title TO any land
nightfuly held by settlers he thought TINS OIL was
an assertion Of the power OF Congress and Congress
ad power protect the rights OF those claimants
WHO acquired their CLAIMS under authority Of law. Il
would delaying simple act Of justice TO refer this
bill TO the judiciary Committee
Mr. MoRRI1I4 trep) OF VI said in one instance Con-
Rress had been compelled TO pass n law giving pre-
ernptors twco the amount OF land formerly held by
them where they had been onsted by railroad com
Ho r ia AN
tice and Interior Department ana said he would like
30 know what the Commissioner of tho General Land
Dffice had to say OF his decisions which involved Con-
Eress IN this wild diihculty There must have been
kross neglect OF duty the part Of the Commissioner
FI6ho LANDS 70 cause TINS olhlcuity. he MT.
HorrlD desired TO have the bill 50 perfected that
clam should come TO Congress from railroads TO make
good losses sustained by them for land given 10 SET
| Mr.. FKELNeHuYsES, trep) OF " j.. said this ques-
Rion affected all the public land of the country and
brought before Congress all the grants made by the
united States. All his preudces favorable 10 the
kettlers but he did not think this bill perfect He
hoped il would be made the special order for some day
eext week that Senators might have opportunity
Do look into t. This bill might effect upon a
Nery important suit now pending, and, certainly, Con-
Gress dId not want TO interfere with question
Spending before the courts
Mr.. boutwell, lrep) Of Mass, spoke in favor of re-
0erring the bill 70 the Judiciary Committee. and be-
peved that the committee could report bill by which
abe Attorney General could be authorized proceed
natents invalid issued 10 them without authority OF law.
After further discussion by Messrs Harvey, Sargent,
picMilan, ingalls,, Morton, Wright, Bogy and Hitch
cock the motion OF Nj Chrstiancy, 10 refer the ball to
8he Judiciary Committed, was rejected
( Mr.. HowE, rep Of Wis, submitted an amendment
providing that nothing in the act shall be construed
affect the title which the State OF Wisconsin It's
gns may have TO lands granted TO that State to aid in
6une 3 1856, and acts amendatory thereof
Pending discussion Mr.. HOWE moved that the Senate
Hroeeed TO the consideration ofexecutve business.
The Senate thcn at halfpast four O'Clock, went into
Executive session. and after snort time the doors
NEere opened and the Senate adjourned.