The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-22
xLvIrush CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, January 81, 1884.

SENAit.
In the Senate this morning the Chair an
nounced the new rules which go into ope-
ration to-day.
The Chair laid before the Senate bills
from the House OF RepreSentatives-one
making all public roads and highways
post-routes, and another to enable courts
Of the United States in cases where patents
have been obtained by fraud to annul the
patents on the application OF the Attorney
General.
Mr.. Van Wyck introduced q resolution
in the Senate providing that any further
debate on the Mexican treaty be had with
open doors. objection was made TO its re-
ception, and the Chair ruled II to be out Of
order TO present such resolution IN the
open senate.
Mr.. Van wyck appealed from the deci-
sion of the Chair, and on motion OF Mr..
Edmunds the Senate resolved TO close the
doors nj once in order TO discuss the APP
peal. so at Z. NJ. the doors were closed.
The ruling OF the Chair was sustained
bv the Senate in secret session. objection
was then made TO the immediate considera-
tion of the resolution even in secret scs-
sion, and il went over for one day under
the rule. The doors were then re0pened.
Bills were introduced by NJ. Edmunds
TO amend the act granting AID for the con-
struction of Il railroad and telegraph line
from the Missouri river TO the Pacific
ocean and to secure TO the Government the
use OF the same for postal and military ana
other purposes, approved July |, 1862, and
bills amendatory thereof, one OF which
Droyides for the settlement OF claims OF
IN
10 the United States the indebted
ness OF companies to them. In presenting
this bill Mr.. Edmunds said that 1t had
been prepared by the Commissioner OF
Railroads, aud is an important bill. Its
object is, if possible, to bring to termina-
ton the controversy which appears TO be
nernetual between the United States and
these railroad companies as to what they
should pay in, and to provide for opening
mn transactions by a new arrangement. on
long bond. to take the place OF the obliga-
ton OF companies to repay the United
states: to provide legal securities for such
repayment, and methods for the enforce
ment thereof. 1.-THE companies referred TO
are those aided by bonds and grants OF
lands.)
Mr.. Edmunds's bill was referred to the
Committee.
Mr.. Morgan offered the following reso-
luton, which was agreed to: THAT the
Committee on Foreign Relations be IN
structed to inquire into the subject OF set
Elements and trading posts now being made
and established in the Valley of Congo
river, in Africa. and report as to any action
that may be properly taken 10y Congress or
the Executive in the furtherance OF our
commerce in that quarter, and that said
committee report by bill or otherwise"
Executive session. Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
Under the call OF States large number
of bills were introduced and resolutions
offered.
Mr.. Holman, OF Indiana, offered reso-
luton calling on the Secretary OF the In
terror for information, whether since June
/. 1882. any patents have been issued or
lists of lands certified TO any State or
patents issued to any railroad corporation
on account OF grants OF land heretofore
made for land to which such State or cor
poration is not entitled; also. for all COM
munications touching the issuing of such
patents. and opinions OF any United states
officer in relation thereto. " hich may be on
file in his department.
Mr.. Holman, OF Indiana, moved to Sis
mend the rules and adopt the resolution
declaring il the judgment OF the House
that all unearned land grants should be
forfeited and the lands restored to the pub
lie domain: that all laws permitting the
purchase OF large tracts of public land be
repealed, and iustructlng the Committee
on Public Lands to report bills carrying
into effect these declarations.
Some opposition was shown to this reso-
luton, but it was adopted-yeas. 2j1;
nays, Is.
The following is the negative vote t:
Messrs. Barksdale, Bingham, Bisbee,
George, Herr, Kean. Libby, Lyman,
Morse, Muldrow, Poland, Ranney. Reed.
Rice, Russell, Stone. Van Eaton, and
Whiting.
Mr.. Calkins. OF Indiana, moved TO suS-
pend the rules ara pass the bin providing
that in any suit against an innocent pur-
chaser of IN article manufactured in viola
ton Of The patent law, if the plaint:n shall
not recover $40 or over he shall recover
no costs. Agreed 10.
Mr.. Cox, OF New York, moved to sus-
pend the rules and pass the bill repeating
the laws prescribing the iron-clad oath.
Mr.. Boutelle, of Maine, opposed the bill.
He was unable to recognize any eXigency
which called for the introduction OF this
II the repeal OF the test-oath
would have the tendency of fastening the
era OF good feeling he would heartily favor
il, but he believed that the Interpretation
which would be put upon that action
would he harmful to the country. When
every concession of this kind was inter-
preted in the South as retrogression from
the standpoint OF loyalty and as sanction
or conformation OF the attempt to destroy
the Government. he must enter his protest
against 1t.
Mr.. Cox explained that the bill only
affected Jurors and men who take the IRON
clad oath. Men who had been in the seces-
sion did not take this oath. Therefore it
did not affect southern men. The IRON
clad oath was but rotten reminder OF the
clumsy buttresses OF arbitrary power. 1t
was necessary during the war as a test, but
since the men who had fought against the
Union were rebabilitated. the same priyi-
lege should be extended TO Union men
which Disunionists enjoyed. Why Keep
up these old bitter hates OF the past! why
not pour oil upon the old wound! He APP
pealed, in support of the bill, from politics,
from sectional hate, from old uncharitabie-
ness, to better era OF good feeling which
had been ushered in.
The motion was agreed to and the bill
passed by vote Of 1876 to IL.