Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-02-05

Tho bill to confirm presumption and homo
stead entrl, Of public lands within tho limits
Of railroad grants was passed BY . vote OF
fort -four to nine. Several amendments were
attempted but oil failed, and tho bill passed
~ originally presented. Tho bill provides
that I'll presumption and homestead entries.
United States, Of tho public lands, made In
good faith by actual settlers upon tracts Of
land Of not more than 100 acres each, within
the limits Of any land grant prior 10 the time
whom notice Of withdrawal Of tho lands en-.
brsced In such grant was received at the local
land office OF the district In which such lands
are situated, or after their restoration TO mar.
ket by order Of the general land office, and
whore the presumption and homestead laws
have boon complied with and proper proofs
thereof have been made by the parties hold
Ing such tracts or parcels, they shall BIO con-
tlrmed and patents FOR the same shall issue to
the parties entitled thereto.
Tho proposition to vote the sum OF 1,6O0,-
600 for the Centennial, attracted much atten-
ton in tho House. Speeches were made In
favor Of and against the bill by large number
Of members. Mr.. Lawrence (Rep.), Of Ohio,
said that the appropriation would DO worth
many times over S1, 6O0, 900; and would be
good investment and bring back more than II
cost. The government might save 81 SOC, 900
by refusing tho appropriation, but It might
lose $780, 900 by doing 80. Mr.. Randall
Oem.), OF Pennsylvania, gave an indignant
contradiction to tho statement In letter rela-
tive to the character Of the Centennial officers,
and said that Q purer set Of men than tho
members of the Centennial board never man.
aged any enterprise. Mr.. Kelley (Rep.), Of
Pennsylvania. nd say amen to every word
my colleague has said.
- l,.I
the closing hour OF the debate, but surrendered
. part OF his time, and speeches were delivered
by Messrs Young (Dem.), Of Tennessee, and
Randall Dem. }, Of Pennsylvania.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Springer
(Dem.) Of Illinois, requiring the payment In
full to the United States treasury Of any balance
that may be left in the lands Of finance COM
the profits shall be paid to the stockholders,
was agreed to.
The vote was then taken, and the bill passed
yeas, 146 nays, 1870. The announcement
was greeted with applause.
Bills were introduced TO provide for the sus-
pensioa Of the sinking fund until 1880; also
to amend the act authorizing the funding
legal tender debt Of the United States for
funding legal tender notes into forty-year four
per cent. gold bonds to the amount Of $780,
000, 900, at q rate not to exceed $3, 10000 .
month fixing the first Monday Of January for
the time Of the meeting Of Congress also, q
constitutional amendment proposing to change
the beginning Of the Presidential term from
March to May l to protect life on steam
ships, steamboats, and sailing vessels to por-
vide means of cheap transportation in interior
waters to abolish the stamp duty on pro-
prietary medicines; to reduce the tax on to-
bacco and whisky, and to abolish the stamp tax
on bank checks; granting bounties to heirs Of
soldiers in the late war who enlisted for less
than one year, and who were killed or died by
reason Of service
By Mr.. A. s. Williams (Rep), Of Michigan,
q constitutional amendment prohibiting Soma
tors aud Representatives from soliciting ap-
pointments to or removals from Office, and pro-
viding civil service commission.
BY Mr.. Wilson (Rep.), Of Iowa, . constitu-
tional amendment, providing that the term Of
office Of Representatives shall begin on the
March.
BY Mr.. Crounse Rep.), Of Nebraska, de-
claring. lands heretofore granted to certain
railroad companies subject to State taxation.
By Mr.. Jacobs, of Washington Territory for
to the public domain land in WASH
ingtoa Territory granted to the Northern Pa
cifc railroad.
By Mr.. Stone (Dem.) }, Of Missouri, resolu-
ton nstructing the post-office committee to
inves igate the straw bid system. Adopted.
Mr.. Rusk [Rep.l, Of Wisconsin, reported the
bill to increase pensions in certain cases. 1t
provides that persons who in the military or
naval service have lost one hand and one foot,
Or even been totally or permanently disabled,
shall be entitled to pension for each Of those
disabilities.
Mr.. Clark (Dem), Of Missouri, from the
post-ofice committee, called up the bill regula-
ting postage on third class mail matter. It
provides that all mailable matter of the third
GLASS, referred to in sections $3.50 and SOL Of
the revised statutes, may weigh not exceeding
four pounds for each package, and that the |
postage thereon shall be one cent for every |
5wo ounces or fraction thereof. After some
title discussion the bill was passed without q |
division of the House.
Mr.. Cannon (Rep.), Of Illinois, from the |
on post-ofices and post-roads, re- |
ported a bill to amend section 1898 and 1884,
providing penalties for the sending Of obscene |
natter through the mails. The bill was criti-
Used severely by the House, several members
claiming that injustice to innocent persons |
would result from the carrying out OF its pro-
'isions. THE bill was recommitted to the
committee.
Mr.. Douglass (Dem.), Of Virginia, from the
on patents, reported bill to amend
ection 100 Of the revised statutes prohibiting
,ffices, clerks, of employees of any Of the
ulcers Of the government acting as counsel,
or agent, or being interested in any
lrm for prosecuting either claims or patents,
pplication for which was pending while they
we're such clerks, or employees. Also, that
my government officer recognizing such per-
on in any such application shall be, ipse facto,
discharged from the service. Passed.