The New York herald., 1877-12-08

the exclusive right 10 bnild road IN uch them would
control them Tor all time that the even sections
WITHIN the limits OF the grant snail DC open to settle
ment under Tue presumption laws 81 20 per acre,
anu 70 homesteads IN quantities NOT exceeding 100
acres tnat alter Ave years from tho completion OF
any section OF the road the railroad lands within tho
completed portions may, at tho option OF the COM
pany De SOLD a auction, ior not less, however, than
~ 20 per acre. buy being limited to single section.
the proceeds TO 30 TO the credi OF the In tho
Treasury OF the Cncc States the lands unsod to bc
open 10 settlement as before, and that Congress
serves The night TO not than per
o the net earnings to be applied TO the redemption OF
the hrst mortgage construction bonds, to provide
against unjust determinations and excessive
~ The companies and 10 alter amend repeal the
This measure was in accordance with the almost
UNANIMOUS wish Of people scattered over 800, 600
square miies--a territory nearly twice large AS
Franco; three times as large Great Britain Ire
Ianui larger than Austria Bavarla, Belgium. Don
mark, switzerland aud Holland combined; 275 times
as large as Rhoie Island The smallest State anu
square miles larger than Texas, the largest State
tue Union; eight times as large as the State OF New
York and i've times larger than Missouri, and, finally
larger than all Of Now England with New York, Penn
syvanh, Maryland ONO, Indiana, Illinois ana VI is
souri, thrown IN. The silver haired author OF ..ihapa-
'opsis, when he wrote could with propriety say
Where rolls the Oregon
Aud hears no sound its dashipgs.
But since then the had changed. Now tho
busy hun OF commerce above The sound OF the
dashings oi that great river indicating the rapid up
proach OF coming future when Oregon would not
stand alone az tho solo static seutncl these distant
outposts OF the Union, Tor Washington Territory would
soon divide with her the honor oil uphoiding The led
cra arcn on tho busy shores OF the great Northwest
Alter alluding 10 the commercial importance and
prosperity OF tnat region, Mr. Mitchell closed BY cx-
pressing mis- belief that tho proposed readjustrnent
would DO accepted by tho Northern Pacific Railroad
Company. In any event tho true in ntcrests of the
country should not be suborinated 10 the wishes Of
that or any other corporation.
Mr.. THURMAN SAID ne did not arise to say anything
for or against the bill II was matter OF great i'm
portance. The company was bound 10 hnish Tho road
by July 4, 1871 date now passed, ana not having
and not yet patented TO IT, This bill was practically
grant OF nearly four million land.
Whether II was proper that the government should
ITS right TO this land revive the grant would
be considered after tho bill should be reported IRON
the Committee on Railroads There several
questions which he would ke to have considered by
been patented to the company, how many acres
now entitled 10 Tor which had not received patents
what mortgages had been executed. nc
MIR. MITCHELL sad tho Secretary oil the Interior,
the l4tn o November last sent to the Senate, in
ply 10 resolution submitted by him stat cncnt IN
regard to some Of tho Inquiries just submitted uy tho
Senator from ONO (MT lhurmuul THIS statement
showed hat the whole number Of miles OF road com
plctcd Was b3O 60, ana that 743 4yJ A 100 oi
land had been patented to the company.
The BIN was then referred TO the Committee on
Railroads.
THE HOLIDAY RECESS
The concurrent resolution was received IRON tho
House Of Representatives providing for holiday ro-
cess from December 10 10 January To- and Was laid be-
fore the senate.
Mr.. CoYKLISG, OF New York, said the Senate was as
roady 10 consder u now II would be- any time,
anu as would be matter oi convenience 10 Senators
to know when the adjournment would take place he
moved that tho resolution bo n,w considered. Agreed
TO.
Mr.. ANTHONY, OF Rhode Island, said 1t fixed Satur-
day, which was an awkward day for adjournment
He thought had better be amended by inserting FRI
day, December H.
Several Ssnators-Oh. no; let US agree TO It.
IL was thcn read third time and passed.
PAYMENT IN SILVER.
Mr. MATTHEWS, (rcp) OF OHIO, called up the
rent resolution submitted W him yesterday IN re-
gard 70 the payment OF the principal and interest OF
the government bonds in silver coin, alter II
boon read he said his intention TO submit
remarks this afternoon IN regard TO tho resolution be-
fore moving its reference TO the Committee ON FL
nance. At the request OF several Senators he would
allow II to ie over until Monday, and would then call
The senate then at quarter 10 three O'Clock, went
into executive scssion and when the doors were re-
opened adjourned until Monday.