Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-01-23

postponed. This is the bill introduced
by Mr.. Cameron, of Wisconsin, the 24tl
of January last, and authorized the sec
retary of the treasury to declare the
Territory of Alaska, except the island.
of st. George and St. Paul, epen to the
killing of fur-bearing animals; person:
engaged in such killing to pay the gov
ernment 10 per cent. of the appraised
value Of the skins taken. A long dis
cussion ensued on the bill to amend the
patent laws, but a quorum having beer
found lacking, the matter was laid aside
Messrs. Wallace and Bayard were ex
cused from service on the Teller COM
mite and their places supplied with
Messrs. Mcdonald and Randolph. Ad.
journed until Monday.
FRIDAY, Jan. 7-House.-The house
went into committee of the whole on
the private calendar. On motion OF
Mr.. Gunther, chairman of the commit
tee on private land claims, the senate
bill was passed defining the manner in
which certain land scrip may be as
signed and located by actual settlers.
Vfter laying aside several bills to re-
port to the house, the bill was reached
for the payment of 100000 to the trus-
tees of the Protestant Episcopal semi
nary and high school in Virginia, for
rent of buildings during the war. Quite
a lengthy discussion ensued, the oppo-
nents of the bill asserting that it was a
war claim, and the friends cf the meas
ure stating that it was a just bill for
rent of properly, and the government
was bound to pay rent for this building,
occugied by it. Without reaching a
vote the committee rose and the house
adjourned.
SATURDAY, Jan. 18-Senate. SEN
ate was not III session.
SATURDAY, Jan. S-HOuse.-Tne Gen
eva Award bill consumed the entire at
tention of the house. The substitute
reported by the minority of the judici-
ary committee was adopted and the
bill passed. As passed the bill revives
and continues that the court of COM
missioners of Alabama claims, fixes the
number of judges at three, requires the
court to convene and organize as soon
as practicable in Washington, and limits
the expense and time to eighteen
months. The first class of claims to be
those described in section one of the
former act and claims for damages di-
rectly done by confederate survivors on
the high seas, although within four
miles of shore. In cases of whaling YES
soi5 ten per cent. additional is to be al
lowed in lieu of freight, and the same
allowance is made, with six per cent.
interest, on judgments heretofore rem
dered in favor of whaling vessels. The
second class of claims is to be for two
per cent. additional interest on former
judgments and on all judgments
to be hereafter rendered, the interest al
lowed to be six per cent. The third
class of claims to be for payment of
premiums for war risks, deductions to
be made of any sums paid back in
diminution of such premiums, so that
only actual loss shall be allowed. The
secretary of the treasury is directed to
pay, further, the adjudication by any
court of ten per cent. upon whaling YES
sells and their outfit, with six per cent.
interest on awards heretofore made, and
also to pay two per cent. additional in
terest on all judgments heretofore made
Judgments rendered on the first class
are to be first paid, and then judgment
on the second class, and if the money
be not sufficient to pay ali judgments of
the second class, they are to be paid
pro rata. A like rule is also to apply to
judgments in the third class. No for
eign born person is to be excluded if
sailing under the United States flag.
The act is not to be construed as renew
ing or continuing any of the commission
of judges or officers of the former
court. Amy balance that may remain
shall be fund from which congress
may hereafter authorize the payme ment
of other claims thereon.