Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-07
IN SENATE AND HOUSE.
Short Sessions in Both Houses and no
Important Business Transacted.

Short Sessions in Both Houses and no
Important Business Transacted.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-rhe Senate was
called to order at noon. A memorial was
presented from the Legislature of Ne
braska, praying that lands granted to
railroads on which patents have been
taken out and on which taxes are not
paid be either forfeited or the railroads
be compelled to take out patents on them
so that they may be taxed, and urging the
improvement of the Missouri river.
Joint resolutions were offered by Mr..
Lapham relating to the veto power and
woman suffrage, and the following bills
were introduced:
BY Mr.. lngalls-To repeal the pre-emp-
ton and timber culture laws and to amend
the homestead laws.
BY Mr.. Call-TO disqualify Judges of
the Supreme Court from sitting as such
in cases which they have heard when sit
ting at Circuit Courts.
Among the bills introduced, were the
following:
BY Mr.. Lapham-Providing that that
portion of the naval appropriation act,
approved August 3, 1888, limiting the
number of graduates of the Naval Acade-
my to be retained in the service each
year, shall not apply to those classes who
had completed the four years course at
the Naval Academy prior to the passage
of the act, and authorizes the return to
the service of those members of the class
of 1881 who have been hOnOrably dis
charged under the provisions of said act
BY Mr.. Morgan-TO define the iurisdic-
tion of the Circuit and District Courts of
the United States. 1t provides that no
District or Circuit Court shall have, or
exercise Jurisdiction, to enforce the col
Of t1sX in Gfufo Jo1.
the laws thereof.
A joint resolution was offered by Mr..
Butler to provide an amendment to the
fifteenth amendment of the Constitution
inserting the words "natiYity," 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 by any State on account of
nativity, race, color or previous condition
of serYitude."
A joint resolution was introduced by
Mr.. Morgan, proposing an amendment
to the Constitution, by which the Presi-
dent shall have power to disapprOYe any
item of the appropriations for rivers and
harbOrs while approving other items.
Also, to grant right of way over public
lands in Alabama and Georgia to the
Rome and Decatur Railway Company.
By Mr.. BrOwn-For the settlement of
and such railroad companies as received
property from the United States in 1865
| and 1866, and that have made full pay
ment tor the same, or who, upon the ad-
justment of their accounts, shall be found
to have paid their Indebtedness on ac-
count of such property. In this adjust
ment, the abatement IN respect to the
valuation Of such property shall not eX-
| ceed % per cent, and the basis of settle
ment to be the same as that with the
Western and Atlantic Railroad in 1877.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Call to be
| referred to the Committee on Foreign Re
latiOns when appointed, requests the
President to demand of the Spanish gov
ernment repayment to citizens of the
| United States of money paid by them on
shipments of cattle from the United States
| to Cuba.
After the introduction of some other
bills, and on the expiration of the morn
| ing hour, the Senate adjourned till Mon
day next.
THE HOUSE.
| In the House this morning Mr.. McCoid