The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-01-26

or SIX months IN constructing the track has
been granted by the government. The pur-
9oss q I'm as ylst y the securing OF capital to
co Is located, toward which work the gov
ernment will contribute money and lands.
Two companies have been organized In the
United states to undertake the work, which
Is expected to cost Sl2,0CO,0O0.
THE NAVY.
All Of the general legislation introduced
In the naval appropriation bill was stricken
out by The house, except that relating to
commodores. The naval officers and their
sisters, cousins, and aunts, who were In the
galleries were delighted with the outcome
or the controversy, and Immediately desert
ed the capitol The bill as 1t stands now
abo llshes the rank OF commodore and pay
master by prohibiting promotions or an
point to these grades, and providing
that both grades shall cease to exist when
the present incumbenis die or resign or are
retired.
A RAILROAD BILL.
The subcommittee of the senate commit
tee on railways, appointed q month ago to
consider and report upon Senator Miler's
bli 10 conso idate certain lines of railway
with the Southern Pacific railway, so that
the roads leading from New Orleans to the
Pacific coast should constitute one line, met
for the first time Tuesday. The committee
discussed the bill at considerable length,
and while no action was taken, the un MI
nous opinion OF the committee appeared to
be that no consolidation should be- permit
ted unless the roads agreed to accept a
freight and passenger rate that would be
satisfactory to the people along the lines Of
the road. If CONGRESS ever intends TO con-
trol Interstate commerce, this bill of Sem
ator Miller's presents good opportunity to
make a beginning. The roads interested
they want, ought to be ready to give some
thing in return.
ARTHUR DIsAPPROyAL
The senate bill directing the secretary NJ
the treasury to redeem five bonds stolen
from Robert StOdart Wild and DESTROYED bv
thieves, having become a law by lapse OF
time, the president improves the Opportu-
MY 20 express 10 the senate his disapproval
OF this class of legislation in the following
words: II have carefully considered the
provisions of senate bill No. 5C1. entitled
"A bill for the relief of Robert Stodart
Wild l am OF opinion the general statute
Is sufficiently liberal to provide relief in ali
bonds, and believe the act above referred
to constitutes an evil precedent. 1t Is not
however, so Objectionable as to call for INV
formal disapproval, and have allowed It
to become law under the constitutional
provision, contenting myself with communi.
mated, my disapproval of special legislation
of this character"
CHICAGo's RIVAL.
Michigan City harbor was one of the OBJ
jects provided for in the last river and har
Dor bill, of which Secretary Lincoln recent
ly reported that the appropriation was not
in the interest of commerce and did not
benefit navigation. At this Michigan City
Is wroth. Harvey II. Harris, the MAYOR of
the sand-hill town, has written very fresh
letter to Representative Calkins, protesting
against the reflection Oh Michigan City, and
presenting the fact that 8 q vessels arrived
al tnat port last year, bringing more than
100, wv, QUO feet OF lumber, besides many
thousand tons Of coal, iron-ore, pig-irOn and
other commodities nearly the whole of
which trade has been built up within two
years. Michigan City is described as dis
tributing point for six states, and the APP
preparation OF CIV, 600 for the inner and $780,
600 for the outer harbOr is cordially approx
ed. Mr.. Harris complains that Chicago Is
jealous OF Michigan City; that the lumber
interests of the former city have tried to get
the railroads to discriminate against the
latter; that congressman from Chicago
voted against the appropriation for Michi-
gan City, and in short, 1t is the mean envy
Of the small Illinois town that led to the de
predatory comments of the secretary of
war, himself from Chicago, regarding the
great metropolis in Indiana. The city
clerk certiles that the mayors letter was
read to and approved by the city council.
THE PORTER BILL IN THE HOUSE.
The friends Of Gen. Porter are quite hopes
full of action in the house this session on the
senate bill, and they derive much encOur-
agement from the fact thai Gen. Grant Is
showing q personal interest In the measure,
and has carried 1t so far as to go to the
house and personally talk with members
and urge them not only TO support the meas
ure, but to aid in securing early action. He
has seen many members, and this fact has
greatly encouraged Gen. Porter's friends,
and caused others to entertain strong hopes
that the house will pass the bill early this
session. On the other hand, opponents OF
deeat the he b Fifteen Ffe ' the See ebers o
the house have formed themselves into
what they call Porter vigilance COM
mttee" to secure the defeat of the BILL
The members of this committee have pledg-
ed themselves that one or more Of them will
be present at all times when the house Is in
session, and object to the bill being taken
up out OF It's order, unanimous consent be-
ing necessary In order to have II done. In
this way these members expect to defeat
the bill. II these members persist in their
reached Is for the military committee to
come in OH suspension day" with motion
to pass the bill, but this will require a two
thirds vote.
CoUNTY's REMARKABLE PLEA.
Thu day afternoon Mr.. G. c. BOnney ar
gued before the supreme court the ase OF
Chapman and others against the county Of
Douglas, Nebraska. The county bought
land for poor farm and gave certain notes
and mortgages for it, Subsequently these
were de Jared invalid and the county would
neither pay the price in money nor return
the property. This suit was to compel the
county to do one or the other. There Is no
dispute about the facts. Counsel for the
county admitted that the county was in
possession of the farm and meant to stay in
possession, and had never paid for 1t. The
away the breath Of some of the members of