National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-01

MIR. Anderson, from INC committee on PUBIC
lands, reported buck resolution reciting that
lands were granted to the state of Kansas for the
purpose of aiding in the construction of rail-
road from Leavenworth TO the southern line of
the state, with branch from Lawrence to point
ON the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad,
and from Atchison to the western line Of the state,
with branch down the Neosho valley; that the
roads were not completed within the ten years
required by law and that 1t is alleged that the
secretary of the interior. about oct 6, 1883 certi
fed to the state of Kansas list OF lS9,3A acres
for the benefit Of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa
Fe road and calling OH the secretary OF the in
terror Tor Information as to whether the roads
were completed within the ten years, and, If not,
under what authority a list OF lands was certified
to Kansas. Adopted.
Mr.. Ellis from the committee on appropriations,
reported back the joint resolution appropriating
$50 900 for the support of certain destitute Indians
IN Montana with senate anesn nn en- thereto IN
mittee recommended non-concurrence in the
amendment.
Mr. Maginnis hoped that this action would not
be taken. and pointed out the necessity of the
immediate relief of the starving indians.
Several members Of the appropriation commit
tee stated that $4,000 was all that was asked for,
and that the senate had given no reason why the
appropriation should be doubled. 1t was there
fore, thought proper that the joint resolution
The senate amendment was non-concurred in.
MIR. Reagan, chairman OF the committee on
commerce, reported back n resolution calling on
the secretary of the treasury for information in
regard to the trade between the United States and
Mexico, and to the traffic over the railroads con-
Meeting the two countries.
Mr. Thomas, from the committee on naval
affairs reported back the bill to equaliae the rank
OF graduates of the naval academy on their as
signment to the various corps. House calendar.
1T provides that all graduates of the academy
VINO are assigned to the line Of the navy shall be
commissioned cnsigns, and aboishes the grade of
junior ensign
: An effort was made to dispense with the morn.
ing hour, but the requisite two-thirds vote was
not secured.
Mr.. Barbour, chairman of the committee on the
District Of Columbia, reported back the senate
bill establishing standard of time in the District
of Columbia. House calendar.
Mr. Steele, from the committee on military
affairs reported bill 10 relieve certain soldiers
from the charge of desertion. House calendar.
Mr.. Reese, from the committee on public build
ings, reported u bill for the erection of public
| building at Augusta, Ga, the ultimate cost of
which shall not exceed 100000. Committee of
the whole.
the house calendar, precedence being given 10
bills reported from the committee on public
lands
The first bill taken up was that declaring for
feted certain grants ofiand made TO certain states
to aid in the construction OF railroads.
1T iorfeits all land granted to Mississippi nnder
an act approved Aug. II, 1856 except the grant in
ala OF railroad from Jackson 10 The state line of
Alabama. Also the lands granted to Alabama un-
der acts of June 3, 1906 and March g. 1851, to aid
in the construction Of the road from lytOn to the
Tennessee river, the Memphis and Charles on
road, and the Savannah and Albany road Also
the lands granted to Louisiana to aid in the con-
| struction OF roud from New Orleans to the state
line. Also the lands granted to Arkansas 10 aid
in the construction of road from the point where
the Iron Mountain road intcrsccLs tile southern
boundary to point near the town of Helena.l
Mr.. CODb made brief explanation Of the pro-
visions of the bill Stating that the lands which 1t
| was proposed to forfeit had not been earned by
the various companies and declaring himself in
favor Of FORGETTING every acre granted to railroad
companies which had not been earned in strict
GCcOrdGuce with laws. None OF the lands affected
I,t
| the companies and in us second section the bill
fully projected settlers VINO had entered upon the
MIR Van Eaton member of the committee on
| public lands, offered al ulnendmen. excepting
from the provisions OF the bill the land granted TO
Mississippi TO aid III the construction OF railroad
| from Brandon to the gulf of Mexico, commonly
called the Gulf and ship Island railrOnd company.
lie stated that he and two colleagues had voted
! against the resolution adopted moro than week
| ago. upon motion of Mr.. Holman, for they knew
that tue people OF their state had never ceased TO
hone for the benefit which would accrue TO them
| from the grant referred " in his amendment. He
cUncurred in The sentiment that that resolution
proposed rather swecplnE legislation to ne hurried
through On such short consideration. He felt that
| there might DO cases where there should be no
| exceptions where the rOnGs though not COM
peted might fairly appeal to the justice and equity
OF congress that IL should not exact the pound Of
| flesh even though 1t should happen to have the
bond. The Gulf and ship leland road presented
one of these cases, The grant was made in 1876,
and up TO November, 1860 the beneiciares took
az proper steps to avail themselves OF the grant,
-AltcI NNL iRlt ~ was pUShlCu lupuaAlDlllty w
construct the road. Since the close Of the war no
capital could be secured to build tho road as the
grant had lRpscd. He had II bill pending now
waving tho forfeiture of the grant
Mr. singleton sRid that he had voted for the
HOLMAN resolution because he believed in the
general principle of FORGETTING uneOrncd grants
aud though he believed thlt there should b. an
exception III the case of the Gulf and ship Island
rond, no was not willing for the sake 100000 acres
in Mlssppi, 70 uphold principle which would
place OIOVOOOO acres IN the hands of corporations
Whigl, were not entitled 10 lhcn.
MI Hatch favored tho general scope of the bill
but criticised tho construction Of Il second sec.
ton for TIE protection Of settlers declaring that
under IL he could see room for mighty job aud
extensive speculation,
MT, Brksdalu argued in support OF Mr.. Van
EntOn'5 GmopdmeuI depicting the iusupe rable
obstacles which prevented the completion of the
road within tne ten-ycar limit, ana Coutenling
that II wga hut The part Of justice in congress 70
waive tine forfeiture, There were many prtce-
dents for the action asked IN behalf of the Gulf
aud ship Island road, ana The state Of Mississippi