Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1884-02-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.

From our regular correspondent.
FEBRUARY -, 1884.
When the final history of the
forty-eighth Congress is written it
must be set down to its credit that it
antagonized railroad grabs. 1t earn
ed this praise by its action last
Thursday in restoring to the govern
ment five million acres of land grants.
A number of railway kings had ap-
peared before the Public Land Com
mittee with the most plausible argu-
ments in defense of their monopolies,
but their eloquence had fallen on
deaf ears. No filibustering, no
tricks, no parliamentary devices have
been able to prevent action on the
bills called up by Chairman Cobb for
forfeiting the grants to eight cor
porations in the Southern States.
Mr.. Cobb briefly explained that these
corporations had never completed
their roads; most of them had never
begun them, and yet under the de-
cision of the Supreme Court the lands
were valueless until Congress de-
clared them forfeited. While Mr..
Cobb was speaking members left
their seats and crowded closely
around him. In moment the vote
was taken, and the notorious Texas
Pacific grant, which involves the
title to sixteen million acres of SUI
perb land, was declared forfeited.
1t was the one for which c. L. Hunt
ington pleaded, and for which he
said he would fight in the courts,
even if Congress did declare it for
feited.
The Senate having held only two
full day sessions last week, but lit
tie work was accomplished except in
committees. Business to be dispos-
ed of during the present week in
cludes, first, as unfinished business,
the bill for settling private land
claims in certain States and Terrific
ries. Then the MACPHERSON bank
ing bill is likely to be taken up in
advance of its order on the calendar,
as are also Mr.. Edmunds civil rights
bill and his anti-Mormon bill.
In the House today, during the
call of States for the introduction Of
measures, Mr.. Morrison presented
his revenue reform bill pro-
viding for twenty per cent reduc-
ton in the tariff. Mr.. Converse, who
several days ago offered to the House
a pack of petitions from the farm
ers and wool growers of Ohio, ask
ing for restoration of the duty on
wool, contemplates making a short
speech in favor of free wool, which
Mr.. Hurd expects to oppose. Mr..
Converse says the tariff legislation
of the last Congress imperiled the
business of three million men in this
country who are interested in wool
growing, and this legislation not only
affects the industrial, but also the
political outlook.
The Keifer- -Boynton scandal has
been fruitful subject of comment
around the Capitol. The ex-SpeakeE
has been unsparingly criticised fol-
abusing his privilege of the floor in
an undignified, malicious attack upon
General Boynton, who, not being 9
member, could not reply to him. The
exhibition made of himself in this
speech has made the Republicans
more ashamed than ever Of theil
support of Mr.. Keiter. A resolution
authorizing an Investigation of the
charges made by him against thu
Washington correspondent, wa
adopted, and it Is thought the bot
tom facts will place the Republical
leader in an unenviable position.
is rumored there is strong probs
bility of his being served with a res
ignation appeal similar to that wit
which Senator Malone was served
Speaking of Malone, reminds m
: that, Notwithstanding his recent fai
: ure to carry Virginia, to incite Il
y negroes against their white emplo.
5 ers and to taunt the Democratic Sc
tors to angry retort, one emine