National Republican., 1884-04-07
TIE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Buckner offered resolution providing
that an and after April IA the hour for the daily
meeting of the house shall be II o'clock. Referred
TO the committee on ways and means.
Mr. Gofl, from the committee on naval Affairs
reported back resolution requesting the secre-
taries ofthe navy and of report on the feasi-
bility and expediency of contracting an interior
coast line of water way for the relief of the At
lautic and gulf seaboard. Adopted.
The morning hour having been dispensed with,
the house, at 1915, went into committee of the
whole tMr, Boyle in the chair) on the agricultural
appropriation bill
trhe bill approprates $3.50 500, being an increase
of S2i $50 over the bill of lust year, and reduction
OF ISL 800 from the estimates.1
Several amendments were adopted among them
one increasing by s2j 900 the appropriation for the
committee having risen, the bill was passed.
The house next took up for consideration the
bill forieiting the Oregon Centra land grant,
The reading of the report consumed nearly an
hour and then Mr., Payson explained the pro-
visions of the bill. The measure, he said, was
unanimously indorsod by the committee on pub
lie lands. II involved 1,13O.SOO acres of public
lands
In reply Ito question by Mr.. Horr, Mr.. Payson
stated that twenty-five miles of the oad had
been completed, but that the bill provided that
all the land should DO forfeited, because the COM
pany, by Its failure to complete the entire line
within the time limited by the granting act, had
no Just claim to single acre.
Mr.. Horr further inquired whether congress had
along these twenty five miles.
Mr.. Payson replied that that was a question
which every member must determine for himself
but that IL had the legal and equitable right TO do
| so was proposition which he had never heard
| disputed except by railroad attorneys. He also
explained that the bill validated the title of
settlers who purchased land from the company,
but did not grant relief to the holders Of the bonds
which had been issued on the land grant.
Mr.. Chace inquired why the committee did not
recognize the equities of the bondholders as well
| as those OF the settlers.
Mr. Payson replied that they did not rise to equal
dignity
! and made strong argument in favorof SO amend
ing 1t Ms to exempt from the forfeiture the lands
which had been eduitably and legally earned.
| Mr.. Nichols inquired the names of the attorneys
| of the company, and, Oh Mr.. George replying that
| he did not know, remarked, Then you do not
II disoiaim," replied Mr. George. "any idea OF
| representing the company. was never employed
| in my life by II railroad company. would suffer
| my right arm to be cut off before would accept
| u fee from corporation or anybody else concern
| ing matter which came before me III my repre-
sentative capacity"
| Mr. George then went OH to crticise the bill for
| the loose manner In which it was drawn, declar-
ing that its effect would be to forfeit tho earned
part OF the grant and to forfeit the unearned part
| Was sthere ever a measure equal to that?
Mr. Rowell opposed the forfeiting of the earned
| portion of the grant, contendng that it would
open up II series of lawsuits that would be blight
on the settlement OF that part OF tho country for
| years to come.
| Without final action the matter went over
On motion OF Mr.. Browne, senate amendments
were concurred in to house bill making 1t felony
| for person falsely and fraudulently tO assume or
pretend TO be an officer or cmploye acting under
authority of the United States or any department
| thereof.
The speaker laid before the house a communi-
! cation from tho attorney general, addressed to
Mr.. Randall, submitting an estimate OF defcien-
cies in the appropriations for United States courts
| as follows: For fees of United States attorney,
S90,0O0 clerks of United States courts, $50, ,00O
jurors, $4,000; witnesses, S6O,O0O miscellaneous
expenses, 900; and fees Of marshals, $4,000.
| Re"rrCd.
| The house then, at 4:35, adjourned.