Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-02-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.

When the nnal history OF the Tor
ty eighth Congress is written it
must be set down to its credit that
it antagon1zed Railroad grabs. 1t
earned this praise by its action last
Thursday in restoring to the gov
eminent five million acres of land
grants. A number of railway kings
had appeared before the Public
Lands committee, with the most
plausible argument in defense of
their monopoliess but their eloquence
had fallen on deaf ears. No fill
clustering, no tricks. no parliament
tary devices, have been able to
prevent action on the bills called
up by Chairman Cobb for FORGETTING
the grants to eight corporations in
the Southern States. Mr.. Cobb brief
ly explained that these corporations
had never completed their roads;
most of them had never begun
them, and yet under the decisien of
the Supreme Court the lands were
valueless until Congress declared
them forfeited. While Mr.. Cobb
was speaking members left their
seats and crowded closely around
him. In a moment the vote was
taken and the notorious Texas Pa
cific grant which involves the title
to sixteen million acres of superb
land was declared forfeited. 1t was
the one for which C. P. Huntington
pleaded, and for which he would
fight in the courts even if Congress
did declare it forfeited.
The Senate having held only two
full day sessions last week but little
work was accomplished except in
committees. Business to be dispos-
ed of during the present week in
cludes first, as unfinished business,
the bill for settling private land
claims in certain States and Terri
tories. Thenlthe MACPHERSON bank
ing bill is likely to be taken up in
advance ofits order on the calendar,
as are also Mr.. Edmunds Civil
Rights bill, and his anti-Mormon
bill.
In the House to-day during the
call of States for the introduction
of measures, Mr.. Morrison expects
to present his revenue reform bill
providing for twenty per cent re,
duction in the tariff. Mr.. Converse,
who several days ago offered to the
House a pack of petitions from The
farmers, and wool growers of OHIO,
asking for restoration of the duty
on wool, contemplates making a
short speech in favor of free wool
which MIR. Hurd expects to oppose.
Mr.. Converse says the tariff legi@Ia
ton of the last Congress imperiletl
the business of three million men
in this country who are interested
in wool growing, and this legisla-
ton not only affects the industrial,
but also the political outlook.
The fer-Boynton scandal has
been fruitful subject of comment
around the Capitol. The ex-Spea-
ker has been unsparingly criticised
for abusing his privilege of the floor
in an undignified, malicious attack
upon Gen. Boynton, who, not be-
ing a member, could not reply to
him. The exhibition made of him
self in this speech has made the
Republicans more ashamed than
ever of their support of Mr.. Kei-
fer. A resolution, authorizing an
of the charges made
by him against the Washington
Correspondent, was adopted, and it
is thought the bottom facts will
place the Republican leader in an
position. 1t is rumored
there is a strong probability of his
being served with resignation APP
peal similar 10 that with which
Senator Malone was served. Speak
ing OF Malone reminds me that,
Notwithstanding his recent failure
to carry Virginia, to incite the ne
groes against their white employ
ers and to taunt Democratic Sena-
tors to angry retort; one eminent
success has crowned his efforts.
He has secured a clerkship in the
Capitol for his son.
Mr.. Belmont OF New York is OPP
posed to the inspection plan of pork,
partly on account of its doubtful le
,ality, and will introduce resolu
ion of inquiry as to the constitu- {
ionality OF such procedure. He
avs that the adoption of the -sys-
EN- would create another army of !
Office holders, with lit '
lie to do, and consequently plenty
# time to run the politics of their
districts. He strongly
avors the retaliatory policy.
An old bill reintroduced in the
enate provides for the election by I
he people of Postmasters Marshalls, .
district Attorneys, and other Uni u
ed States officers, and new bill x :
revents any state from imposing B
cense taxes on commercial tralel- z
rs.
are trying to carry q
lie Capitol by storm. The Senate D
as literally overwhelmed Thurs y
ay with petitions, signed by thous- +
lds of people in the states and K
praying the enactment NJ
prohibitory laws for the District n
Columbia. N
February 5, 1891. p
THE great State OF Texas has re- 81
ntly been shaken from center to I'll
90 49, Il