The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-02-10
NORTHERN PACIFIC LAND GRANT.
An Effort In Congress to Declare n Por.
rion Forfeited.
Congressional Record, January I7h.
HOUSE.

Congressional Record, January I7h.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Hazelton introduced the following
notice, which was referred to the Commit
tee on Pacific Roads:
Resolved, by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America IN Congress assembled, That the
grants of public lands heretofore made TO
certain Pacific railroad companies and to
certain States to aid In the construction Of
railroads to the. Pacific Ocean for the benefit
Of certain corporations, so far as the same
have not been earned by the fulfillment of
the conditions of said grants. be, and the
same are hereby, declared forfeited, and
shall revert to the United States, and be
open for settlement as are other public
lands.
Congressional Record, January 31st.
Mr.. Hazelton--I am instructed by the
Committee on Pacific. Railroads to report
back with the recommendation that IT, be
adopted the resolution which / send to the
desk
The clerk read as follows:
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the In
terror be requested to communicate to this
House the decision of the Commissioner of
the General Land Office declaring the land
grant made to the Northern Pacific railroad
lapsed under the operation of the law grant
ing the same; and also the full text OF the
decision. order or instructions of his prede-
cessor, Hon. Carl Schurz, overruling the de-
cision of the Commissioner of the General
Land Office, and restoring the grant of land
to the Northern Pacific railway without ref
eTence of the subject to the consideration of
Congress. And that he be further requested
to communicate all papers, orders, cores
pondence and memoranda in his depart
ment, touching or relating to the decision of
the General Land Office aforesaid, the order
of the Secretary of the Interior overrulng
the same, and the decision of the Secretary
of the Interior restoring and confirming to
| the Northern Pacific Railroad Company the
said grant of land to it.
Mr.. Dunnell--May ask what committee
| reports that resolution?
The Speaker-The Committee on Pacific
Railroads.
Mr.. Hazelton--It Is unanimous report of
the committee. The resolution merely calls
for information.
Mr.. Dunnell-Is it the report back from
that committee of resolution referred to 1t |?
Mr.. Hazelton--Yes, sir.
Mr.. Dunnell-I object to Its introduction
at this time If 1t is not privileged.
The Speaker-It is an order under the
rules.
Mr.. Hutchins--I call for the reading of the
resolution again.
The Speaker--It has been read.
Mr.. Hutchins-1t seems to assume certain
propositions we know nothing of.
Mr.. Hazelton-The resolution assumes
nothing. 1t asks for certain information.
Mr.. Hutchins-It assumes that certain
things have been done as to which there is
no proof before this House that know of.
Mr.. Dunnell- I wish to ask whether the
Committee on Pacific Railroads reports back
this resolution which had previously been
referred to it?
Mr.. Hazelton-Certainly.
Mr.. Dunnell-When was that resolution
referred to the committed?
Mr.. Hazelton-A long time ago. Look at
| the record.
The clerk stated that the date of the refer.
ence of the resolution was January 10th.
Mr.. Hutchins-As heard the resolution
| read it certainly assumes that an officer Of
| this Government had done certain things
| without consultation with Congress. Now
| do not know that that is so.
The Speaker-I: is a resolution of inquiry
| to find out the facts.
Mr.. Hazeiton-Itis merely a resolution Of
inquiry.
The Speaker-The chair will direct the
| resolution to be again read.
The resolution was again read.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Hazelton moved to reconsider the vote
| by which the resolution was adopted; and
also moved that tho motion to reconsider be
laid on the table.
The latter motion was agreed to.