The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-12-13

SENATE.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 6.-The fol-
lowing bills were introduced:
By Garland, to release the Memphis
& Little Rock railway from the cOndi-
tions imposed by the acts of congress
unjustlY affecting that corporation.
Also to authorize the secretary of the
treasury TO settle and adjust the accounts
between the United States ami the same
company on account OF the customs on
iron imported by that company.
By Cameron of Wisconsin, to restore
to market certain lands of the United
States in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and
TO authorize their sale subject to the
usual rights. These are lands which
were Withdrawn from sale in 1880 and
1881, with the idea that they would be
required for use IN the construction and
maintenance of dams, reservoirs, etc.,
which property was to be erected in the
| improvement of the Mississippi river.
They are by this bill subject to private
entry and sale at $l.25 per acre.
By Groom, 20 provide for the con-
struction of Maryland and Delaware
| free ship canal as q means of military
and naval defense and commercial pur-
| poses. The canal is to connect the wa
bays and lie To be 100 feet wide at the
bottom, 20 feet below the mean and 178
feet wide at low water level with locks
| 600 feet by 60 inch chamber, and euffi-
GENTLY deep to allow the passage of YES
sells drawing % feet. That the secretary
of war be authorized to make the neces
Sary surveys and to negotiate with own
ars OF property along the course of the
canal, and ii satisfactory terms cannot
be reached TO then condemn the land.
And that a million dollars lie appropria-
ted for the purposes of the bill.
The following joint resolutions Were
offered:
By Butler, TO provide for an amend
ment 10 the fifteenth amendment to the
constitution, inserting the word "nativ-
ity," so as to make the article read, "The
right of citizens of the United States TO
vote shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States, or any state, on &C
count of nativity, race, color or previous
condition of servitude."
By Lapham, proposing an amendment
to the constitution giving women the
right of suffrage. Also, proposing an
amendment to the constitution, giving
the president the right to veto separate
items of the appropriation bill while ap-
proving the remainder. The items OBJ
jected to, however, may become laws by
an affirmative two-thirds vote Of each
house.
By Morgan, proposing an amendment
TO the constitution, by which the presl-
dent shall have power to disapprove OF
any item Of the appropriations for riv-
ers and harbors while approving other
items.
By Hill, q resolution calling upon the
secretary OF the Interior to furnish the
senate copies ofthe papers on file in the
interior department relating to the trans
fer of the land grant of the New Orleans,
Baton Rouge s. Vicksburg railway com.
pany to the New Orleans s. Pacific rail-
way company. This is known a. the
"backbon railway grant" The resOlu-
ton was laid over and ordered printed.
By Call. resolution to be referred to
the committee on foreign relations when
appointed, requests the president to de-
mand of the Spanish government repay
ment to citizens of the United States
money paid by them On shipments OF
cattle from the United States TO Cuba.