Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1884-04-17
HON. BYRON NJ CUTCHEON, NJ.
c., OF MICHIGAN.

/
General Cutcheon has distinguished
himself in many ways since he has been
in Congress. In the first place, he is a
very able, ready and fluent debator.
Secondly. he is remarkably industrious
and has shown II praiseworthy effort
in faithfully representing his district
the greatest numbering district in the
world In looking over the work done
by individual members we find that
Mr.. Cutcheon has introduced the fol-
lowing bills: Two ''for the better pro
lection of life and property on Lake
Michigan by the construction of two
'harbors of refuge on the eastern
shore of the lake in the county of
Manistee, Michigan" It seems that
some work has already been done
there for the purpose, and the bill asks
for an appropriation to complete them.
They will be Incorporated in n general
river and harbor bill. His bill to
amend the homestead and pre-emptioa
law is now i'm the hands of a sub-com-
mittee. 1t requires before final proof
shall be submitted by any person claim
Ing TO enter agricultural lands, that he
shall file with the register Of the land
office note of his intention, discrip-
ton of land and the names of wit
nesses. The register shall then post
the notice in his Office for thirty days.
His bill TO restore to market certain
timber lands in the lower peninsula of
Michigan on Indian reservation is now
also being considered by "a sub-con-
mittee The bill o1fereo by him, ito
improve the civil service by relieving
legislative officers from the perfor-
nance Of executive functions" and
giving TO local boards, composed Of
three persons appointed by the Presi-
dent the power TO examine and recon-
mend applicants for office to the Presi-
dent so that members of congress and
it, is matter of Suggestive cOnsidera-
ton. and is an unsetish anomaly in
our pol ties, because it deprives the
Senators and Representatives of Off
cial patronage thing oi which they
are very jealous. Mr.. Cutcleon wosid
to that extent be un.riii~h. his bill
TO increase pensions 10 soldiers who
have lost their limbs. lIa< been adopt
ed by the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic
During the session 20 far he has de
livered three or four very smart and
t'lliIg speeches Ollie upon the ques-
ton ,f pu ting manufactured lumber
upon the free list. was exhaustive Ot
iie subject; ne showed the disastrous
g /, ct up n the laber interest and 9th
er interests connected herewith. if Il. :.
Canadian lumber trade had free mar
CANT speech. and a sympathetic aud
hear -felt one. His speech OH tie
" bonded whisky * ension bill WIS
Il "rouSer Down upon il! Well,
we should reckon he was down on it.
we don't think he is much of II whisky
man. lie did not think tllac the time
Ina arrived when the United States
would go into the whisky brokerage
busin -. = 1t was the Devils indus
try" anyhow. and the less we had 10
do with il the better. His speech sup
porting his amendment to the Indian
appropriation bill, providing for the
orgaAization of an educational division
in the Indian bureau. showed the be-
nevolent side of his character. ~ we'll
as his principles of justice. He thought
the Indians were entitled to Lauch be
neticent consideration Ivy the Govern.
ment. a: member Of the committee
on military affairs he joined the mi
nority in not favoring the removal oi
! blame attached to FitZ John Porter. --
He entered. in his long speech. into
! the whole merits of the case--traced il
from the beginning to. the end. IL wa'
! listened to with the most respectful
and eager interest by crowded house.
! But il was set down that the demo
Gratis would pass the bill of relief. and
so the speech might rs we'll have beei
whistled TO the winds
A very singular and exceptional cast
it has been Mr.. Cutct cons duty t.
perform i'm presenting the claim for {
pension of Mrs. 5. l.. l.. Seelve. whC
had served in the Second Michigan Vol
unteers two years as u soldier in tin
late war, dressed in mems clothes. He
sex was not discovered. The name sh'
was known by was Frank Thompson
She appears to have been II good sol
dier, and discreet in the concealmen
OF her sex. She will get her pension
as it was passed ia the House, thank
TO Mr.. Cutcheon's kindly interest il
her behalf - Washington Gazette.