Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-04
BOTH HOUSES PASS BILLS.
THE NATIONAL LAWMAKERS AT
WORK IN EARNEST

Railroad Land Grant FOrfeitures Com
ing in for Good Share of Attention
Senator Mcpherson Proposes a Sus-
pension of the Silver Dollar Coin
age.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-In the Senate
to-day Mr.. Vests resolution of yesterday,
calling for an investigation into the
leases made by Indian tribes of land in
the Indian Territory, was taken up.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Conger was
agreed to, including within the scope of the
investigation leases of land IN the Indian
reservations.
Mr.. Plumb, referring to Mr.. Vests criti-
cisms made yesterday on the course of the
Interior Department, said that the present
Secretary Of the Interior was only following
precedents set Dv his predecessors. Much of
the land held bv Indians. Mr.. Plumb con-
tinued, was land that they did not and would
not need, and which was fit for agriculture.
1t was becoming question for Congress to
consider whether, owing to the rapid eX-
haustiOn of the public domain, some of these
lands should not be obtained for settlement.
He hoped that the investigation now cOntem-
plated would result In suggesting a plan
which would reconcile the needs of settlers
and the Indians. The resolution was then
agreed to.
Several Senators were at their own request
relieved from present committee assign
ments.
\ couple of bills of minor Importance COM
ing over from the last session were passed.
Mr.. Slater gave notice that on Monday next
he would move to take up and would push to
passage the bill declaring forfeited the un-
earned lands granted to aid in the cOnstruc-
tiOn of the Oregon Central Railroad.
The select committees of the Senate IN eX-
istence on July Z. 1854, were continued, and
the presiding officer of the Senate was given
power to fill existing vacancies, or such as
may occur this wees. The Senate then at
y :55 went into executive session, and when,
at 1915 O'Clock, the doors were reOpened the
senate adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
In the House day, on motion of Mr..
Cobb, of Indiana. the Senate amendments TO
the House bill, fOrfeting the unearned land
grant to the Atlantic and Pacific Road, was
nOncOncarred in. At y 30 on motion of Mr..
Randall, of Pennsylvania, the House went
into committee of the whole, with Mr.. Cox,
Of New York, IN the chair on the bill
making temporary provision for the naval
service. No amendments were offered to the
bill and no discussion was had upon it, Mr.
Rardall merely making brief statement tc
show that the total Appropriation Tor the SUP
port of the navy for the current fiscal year
was SIS, ,636. l66 reduction of $25S. PCS from the
appropriation for the previous year.
When the cimmittee rose, the bill was
passed and the House resumed consideration
| of the inter- State commerce bill.
Messrs. Seymour of Connecticut, Long O
Massachusetts and Peters of Kansas argued
| the Importance of the subject before the
House, and supported with certain limIta
tOn the bill reported by the committee. Mr.
Peters cited instances Of wrongs perpetrateC
| by railroad companies upon the producing
| classes of the country by unreasonable
| charges for freight transportation, and de
| clared that remedial legislation on the suu
| ject was imperatively demanded. Sucl
| remedial legislation was contained in the pro
| visions of the bill under consideration. HI
| strongly favored the commission plan, con
| tending that all legislation which was con
| servative in its nature should be conservative
| and not radical. At the conclusion Of MI
| Peters remarks, the subject matter wen
| over until tomorrow.
On motion of Mr.. Morrison, it was Ordere
| that when the House adjourn tomorrow
| he to meet on Monday next. The HOus
/ fhpn. at 3.25 O1clnck. adinnrned.