The Mineral argus., 1884-05-08
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY

to make a few remarks relative to the NorfLs-
ern Pacific land grant forfeiture. His remarks
related to the division in Washington Territory
and Oregon. He was in favor of the forfeit
ure of the lands, but thought the people, who
had settled upon these lands, should be al
lowed to retain their titles, paying S1.25 or net
more than $3.50 per acre for them. His col
league, Mr.. Dolph, asked that the bnl be laid
on the table for a few days, as he wished to
speak on the subject.
Representative Beach was instructed by the
house committee on public health to report the
resolution authorizing the committee to inamre
into the extent and character OF adulterated
food and drugs imported into the United States
or exported therefrom. The resolution pro-
Vides that the committee sit during the summer
recess.
The bill to relieve certain soldiers from the
charge of desertiOn, which is now being con
sidered by the house, removes the charge of
d~esertion from the record of soldiers who served
in the volunteer service in all cases where it
shall be made to appear to the satisfaction Of
the secretary of war that such soldiers served
faithfully until the expiration of their terms
of enlistment or until May l, 1865, but by rea-
son of absence from their command at the
time the same was mustered out, failed to re
ceive an honorable discharge. 1t also pplies
to cases in which it appears a soldier charged
with desertion subsequently enlisted in another
regiment and was honorably discharged.
The house G committee Z N t9Pri nScs BY vote
ander to Cassidy's bill providing for the ap-
pointment by the president of a commission to
govern Utah. The provision relating to mar
riages requires that they be solemnized by a
minister, Judge or justice of the peace. and
the person so off ciating shall file a certificate
of marriage before the county recorder of lands
within thirty days after the ceremony. Faiiure
to file or record is punishable by a fine of $500.
The substitute makes the standardization of
marriages, when either party to be married has
a husband or wife living, a misdemeanor pun
ishable by Imprisonment in Jail not less than
six months nor more than twelve.
The house committee on public lands iu-
structed Representative Payson to favoraby re
port his bill to prevent the unlawful occupancy
of public lands. The measure provides that
All Enclosures of public land in any state or
territory by parties wko have no title to the
lands shall be unlawful 1t shall be lawful for
any person to deL4olish any such enclosure
when it includes more than GAO acres of land or
any agricultural land.
At a meeting of the house committee on pub-
lie lands, a was appointed to
draft a bill repeating the timber culture act
and revising the homestead laws. Tho bill, it
is said, will be tackled ON to an appropriation
bill and pass readily.
The speaker laid before the house the follow
ing message from the president, which was APP
propriateiy referred:
Transmitting a report of the secretary of
state in regard to the final awards made by the
French and American claims commission
against the United States for St25. 52G for the
payment of claims of French citizens against
the United States. The president recommends
the appropriation of the sum to enable the gov
eminent to fulfil its obligation and of the treaty
of Jan. -, 1856.
Transmitting a communication from the sec
rotary of state relative to the approaching visit
of the special embassy of Siam. The presi-
dent recommends an appropriation of $4,000
to defray. the expenses of the embassy whsa in
this country.
Transmitting a communication from the sec
rotary of state respecting the approaching in
ternational conference at Washington for the
purpose of fixing the meridian proper TO be
employed as a common zero of longitude and
standard of reckoning throughout the globe.
Tn president an appropriation of
10000 to defray the expenses of the same.
The house after several hours discussion on
Saturday, the 18th. passed a bill to establish and
maintain a bureau of labor statistics, whose
provisions are:
The bureau is to be under the charge of a
commissioner of labor statistics to be appoint
and consent of the senate. He shall bcappOint-
ed for four years and receive $4,000 a year.
His duties shall be to acquire all useful infor-
nation on the subject oflabor, its relation to
capital and the means of promoting the mate
rial, social, intellectual and religious prosper
ity of the laboring men and women.
The house passed Monday, the 2lst. a very
important bill to regulate the granting of pen
siOns. 1t was the bill of Mr.. A. J. Warner, re
ported from the select committee on the pay
Lltut u ptuslOuH, DSlutS ana DdCh pay ana Is
as follows:
Every person specified in the several classes
enumeratedin the pension laws of the United
States, who served in the field in the military
or naval service in any war inwhjch the United
States has been engaged for a period of three
months or more, and has an honorable dis
charge, and is not receiving a pension. or
greater pension than that provided for herein,
but who, by reason OF any wound, injury or
disease which there is probable cause to be-
lieve originated in said service in the
line of duty and is not the result
of his own misconduct or bad habits. or other
known cause occurring since such service, and
is now disabled in whole OF in past for procur-
ing his subsistence by manuel labor, shall up
on making the proof of facts under such regu-
lations as may be described by the proper au-
thority, not inconsistent with the provisions
of this act, be placed upon the bill Of pension
ers of the United States and be entitled to re
ceiye pension during the continuance of such
disability at q rate propOItionate to the
degree thereof, the true physical con
dition TO be ascertained and certified
as provided by law upon examination by
a competent boardo surgeons duly appoint
ed; such pensions to commence at the date of
filing the application therefor; that in all an
plications under the general pension laws in
Guided in this act, where it appears by the rec
ord of evidence that the applicant was regular
ly enlisted and mustered into service and
served for three months or more, that fact
shall be sufficient prima facie evidence that he
was then in good health and free from disease
OF cause of disability for which he claims pen
sion.
The senate passed the bankruptcy bill in
substantially the same form as it was intro
duced. 1t constitutes the several district courts
of the United States and the supreme court of
the District of Columbia courts of bankruptcy
with complete jurisdiction. Appeals on quos-
tons of law may be made to the circuit courts.
the decisions of which shall not be
reviewed by the supreme court ex-
cont 1InOTl a aDpfIhsQfa lnf nTg0 pTsna11aant hn