Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-12-07
SENATE.

The following memorials and petitions
were presented:
Senator Anderson from the Legislature
of Nebraska, asking that railroads to
which the government granted lands be
either compelled to take out patents, so
they may be taxed, or the lands revert
to the people; also that the duty be re-
moved on barbed wire; also urging the
improvement of the Missouri river.
By Senator Slater, from the Chamber of
Commerce OF Astoria, Or, praying that
the lands granted to the Oregon Central
railroad by the act of MAY !, 1870, be for
feited and thrown open for settlement.
Senator Ingalls, introduced bill to re-
peal the pre-emption and timber culture
laws, and amend the homestead laws.
The following bills were introduced:
BY Senator Garland: To release the
Memphis and Little Rock railroad from
the conditions of the act OF Congress
which uniustly affect that corporation :;
also authorizing the Secretary of the Treas
ury to settle and adjust the accounts be-
tween the United States and the same
company on account Of customs duties on
iron imported by that company.
BY Senator Cameron Wis. !: To restore
to the market certain lands of the United
States in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and
to authorize their sale, subject to the right
of towagc. These are lands Withdrawn
fiom sale in 1880 and 1881, with the idea
that they would be required in the use of
the construction and maintenance OF
dams, reservoirs, etc, proposed to be
erected in the improvement of the Missis-
sippi river. They are, by this bill, TO be
subject to private entry and sale at 81 %
per acre.
by Senator Groome: 70 provide fort the
construction of the Maryland and Della
ware free ship canal a. a means of military
and naval defense and for commercial pur-
poses. "Thc canal is TO connect the waters
of Chesapeake and Delaware bays, to be
100 feet wide at the bottom, twenty-siX
feet bslDw the mean low water and l7S
feet wide at the low-water level, with
locks 600 by sixty ieEt in the chamber, and
sufficiently deep to allow the passage Of
vessels drawing twenty-threc feet. The
Secretary of War is authorized TO make
the necessary surveys and negotiate with
the owners OF property along the course Of
the canal, and if satisfactory terms cannot
be reached, then to condemn the land.
One million dollars is appropriated for the
purpose Of the bill"
The following resolutions were offered:
BY Senator Butler: To provide for an
amendment TO the fifteenth amendment of
the constitution, inserting the word "na-
tivity," so as to make the article read "rhe
right Of citizens of the United States to
vote shall not be dtnisl or abridged by the
United States, or any sag; 81 account Of
nativity, race, color or previous e0nli-
ton of servitude."
by Senator Lapham: Proposing an
amendment to the constitution giving wo-
men the night of suffrage; also proposing
an amendment 10 DE constitution giving
the President the right 70 sato separate
items Of the appropriation biA while ap-
proving the remainder. The items OBJ
ected to, however, may become law by an
affirmative two-thirds vote of each House.
by Senator Morgan: Proposingan amend
ment a. tho constitution by which the
| President shall have power TO disapprove
| any item Of appropriation Tor rivers and
! harbors while approving other itcms.
Senator Hill presented resolution call
ing ON the Secretary of the Interior TO fur
| nish the Senate copies OF papers on file
! in the interior Department relating to the
| transfer on the land grant Of the New Or
leans. Baton Rouge AMI Yicksburg Rail
| road Company TO the New Orleans PaO.G';
| Railway Company. This is known as the
backbone railroad grant, The resolu-
ton was laid over and ordered printed.
A resolution offered by senator Gail, to
be referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relatious when appointed, requests the
President to ceIacnd OF the Spanish gov
ernment repayment 10 citizens OF .!!.a
United States money paid by G.em on
| shipments VI cattle from the United States
TO Cuba.
At the expiration oi the morning hour
| the Senate adjourned.