The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-23
THE HOUSE.

Repeal of the Presumption Land Laws
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-The bill passed Great
ing three additional land districts in Dakota.
The army and fertilization appropriation bills,
with the Senate amendments, were received
from the Senate and referred.
Mr.. Ryan subnitted the conference report
on the Inoian appropriation bill. Agreed to.
Mr.. Burrows of Michigan, submitted the con-
ference report on the consular and diplomatic
appropriation bill. Agreed to.
Mr.. Springer obtained leave to have printed
in the record the memorial of the Iroquois Club,
of Chicago, prepared by Mayor Harrison, in
favor of the Illinois and Michigan canal aud the
construction of the Hennepin canal.
The House then went into committee of Che
whole on the sundry civil bill.
The pending amendment was that offered by
Mr Blackburn, reducing 20 1929, 900 the appro-
appropriation for the geological survey. Though
debate was limited to half hour, the con-
fused discussion took wide range, and
braced the constitutional power of the govern
meut TO carry surveys into States in
lands. Mr.. Blackburn cOntended that there
was warrant under the constitution for
such proceeding, and strongly answered
by Mr. Dunn, who characterized the doctrine of
State rights an old fossil. In reply Mr. Black
burn asserted that Mr.. Dunn had convinced the
House that he was perfect adept in the matter
of swallowing every political doctrine he ever
held for the purpose of approprlating money
from the treasury to convict private citizens.
The amendment was lost-S2 to So
The question then turned ON the position Of
the bill relating to the survey of pu6-
lie lands which had been passed over inform
ally. On motion of Mr. Ryan amendment
was adopted authorizing surveys which may be
required for the Identification of land for the
purpose of evidence in any suit or proceedings
| in behalf of the United States.
After discussion the paragraph making an ap-
| propriation for the survey of private land claims
/ i'm Me XicO and Arizona amended aa d
prohibit any of the appropriation to be used for
a preliminary survey. OF private land claims.
Mr. founu oHereu au hlhehuintht repeating
the pre-emption laws, together with II laws ali4
4 thorizing the filing of declatory statements for
the entry of public lands by agent attorney.
| Mr.. Washburn advocated the amendment, con-
| tending that the presumption laws should be re-
| pealed. The manner in which public lands were
| taken up under those faws was perfect scan
| dal No honest man could file a legitimate claim
without being prosecuted by adventurers and
| land-sharks. Now was the time TO have this
| matter stopped. The public lands had been ded-
| icated to actual settlers, and they should be
guarded for that purpose Congress should shut
| out this army of harpies and adventurers who
went out West in order to sap the life-blood OF
| that developing country.
| The amendment was adopted, and is, in its full
| text, as follows:
provided, That the presumption laws, togeth-
or with all laws authorizing the filing of declar-
| atory statements for entries of public lands by
| agent or attorney, be and the same are hereby
| repealed; provided, further, that this repeal
shall not affect the disposal of lands under
treaty stipulatiOns with the Indian tribes nor be
deemed to impair any legal rights heretofore &C.
| quired under the laws hereby repealed: but all
| existing entries, settlements or filings may be
j perfected upon proper proof of the lawful and
| bona fde character Of said claims and of due
| compliance with the provisions and require
! ments of the laws under which such entries, set
9pr,naf filings were made; d
who has heretofore made or may
hereafter make a bona fide entry of public lands
under homestead laws shall have the privilege