National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-15
Debate in the Senate Upon Mr.. Beck's Bill TO
Increase Their Circulation.
Selection Of Indemnity Lands by the
Northern Pacific Also Discussed.
The Manning chalmers Election Contest Up in tho
House Of Representatives.
Remarks ON tho Subject by Messrs. Bel
ford, Randall, and Others.
THE SENATE.

senate, the testimony taken by u committee of
treasury officers relating to the performance of the
duties Of the Office ofsupervising architect. The
letter was ordered to be printed, and, with the
campaigning papers, referred to the committee on
public buildings and grounds.
Petitions were presented and appropriately re-
ferred as follows:
-. By Mr.. Hawley: From many citizens of Connec-
tcnt in favor OF legsla ton giving citizenship to
Indians where possible, and the grant of lands to
BY Mr.. Miller, Of New York: A memorial from
members OF the chamber of commerce OF New
YORK, praying the reiunding of money con-
ributed BY that body and others for the purchase
Of the old postofico site in Nassau street. New
BY Messrs. Blair Mitchell, Miller, of New York,
Plumb. and others From citizens of various
q states praying for temperance legislctlon.
From ex;solders praying for legislation generally
In mid of that class of citizens.
Mr., sherman reported from the committee on
the library joint resolution, which was at once
agreed to by the senate, reappointing Noah Por-
ter OF Connecticut TO be one OF the regents Of the
Mr.. Plat reported favorably from the commit
tee on patents bill to regulate the practice in
patent cases. The bill was placed ON the cal
Mr. Harrison, from the committee on military
Affairs, reported adversely petitions of several
army paymasers praying for the passage of law
to give them additional compensation Tor services
rendered during the war; The committee wero
OF opinion, Nj. Harrison said. that though tho
IL was the fixed compensation for the services of
persons who accepted the office. Beside, services
involving much more hardships and seventies
We're paid for With much less compensation.
BiIs were introduced and appropriately referred
as follows:
BY MIR. Miller, OF New York: To amend section
til4 OF the revised statues, fixing the compensa-
lion OF inspectors of hus and boilers.
by MT. Logan: To amend section 175i of the re-
sseu sletu'es, relating to the appointments to
civil offices.
Also, by Mr. Logan by requesO: To give PEN
Sous 10 soldiers aud sailors for wounds and dis.
abilities, in addition to loss of legs and arms.
by MI. Ingalls,: Authorizing the secretary of
war 10 tura oyerto the governor Of Kansas four
pieces OF Condemned cannon for the use of the
Leavenwoith Light Infantry battalion.
by MIR. Morrill,: Authorizing a similar donation
OF iour COZ hmned mortRrs, four cannon and car
Ilages ni' ~ shell and shot TO the town of Rut-
BY Mr.. rhees: To define and supplement an
act re'esti Fishing the court of commissioners of
Alabama aims, and for the distribution of the
unapprop ted moneys Of the Geneva award.
10y MI. Hex: Relating to courts and judicial
prOceeull In the territories.
The CHI laid before the senate Mr.. Voorhees,
resolution Kfered yesterday, relating to the selec-
tl9n OF IL Wmnity lands by the Northern Pacific
railroad, I'd rogue ting the secretary Of the inte-
rior not Hanction such selection until congress
SHOULD ue decided question of the rights of
settlers HOlved in such selection.
Mr.; xhees said he had introduced q bill
rev days 10 on the subject of the titles OF settlers
Affected the action of the Northern Pacific
railroad dealing with the settlers who had To-
cate" nc esteads prior TO the final fixing OF the
line OF road aud he presumed the committee
on publ ands would SOON, be ableto giveit con-
bideraut This resolution was merely request
mat TN kecreiary of the interior should not give
his apI wal to the company's selections until
the que ION OF these settlers rights was fixed by
congrei
Mr. rgan stated that the committee on pub.
lie Ian vwere working hard sometimes as late as
2O'cloGg In the morning. but 1t had many bills
>,-bGfore IL. and when any special bill would be
disposed Of was difficult to say. He did not think
that 1t was wise meanwhile to suspend the opera
tlon Of government. Neither did he think 1t wise
to anticipate any line OF action that congress may
be disposed to take. The officers of the govern
ment had, i'll these matters, been conservative
and careful and he did notapprehend any danger
from that objection, 1t would not do TO chain the
government still while congress was specializing
Mr.. voorhees, explained the position of the
settlers In question. He did not want the railroad
company to come in and take farms from men
who had made the land nth perhaps $40 pei
acre. This matter might look small to the gcnile
man from Alabama, (hir Morgan. but Mr.. voor-
hees could assure that gentleman that this was an
exceedingly large matter to the settlers.
Mr.. Bayard said the stnate should be careful moi
to lay embarrassing prCceden.s by asking for the
SUSPENSION Of ACTON by the executive depart
mehts on allegations which may or may not be
true. Aluding TO allegations o; settlers referred
to by Mr.. voorhees,, MIR. Bayard suggested the
prdpriety of modifying the resolution rs to ask
thssecretary OF the interior If the facts as stated
were stated correctly.
jIr Garland said the whole matter properly be.
lodged to the committee on public lands aud sug.
gfed its reference to that committee.
pr. NoDrnecs having no ouJecLlOH, tue resolu'
MIR. Ingail, offered resolution, which was
aireed to, calling on the secretary of the interior
n report 10 the senate any Information now filed
II his department relating to unauthorized ienc
iIg of the pubic lands.
Mr. SAWYER called up the bill recently reported
fom the committee on post0ttices and pOstroads
baking all public roads and highways post routes
ind after some nmendment aud short debate
Participated IN by Messrs. ingalls,, Plumb, Hale
md MaSey, 1t was passed.
The senate took up for consideration the unin.
Ished business ofWednesday being the bill for the
relief of the u'siana state bank. permitting
That bank, Notwithstanding The statute of limita-
lons TO present the court OF claims, lbs claim fol-
lcot,on taken by the United States in 1865.
| In response TO an inquiry by Mr.. ingalls,, Mr.
jackson, who reported the bill from the commit
tee on claims, said that tie claim was for 367 bales
4 Of cOtton worth some $4,000
Mr. ingalls, said thnt under ordinary circnm-
stances he would be in favor Of allowing claim
ants 70 come into cont with claims against The
statute, but This was case In which he thought II
4 ought not 10 be allowed.
III Mr.. jackson stated the circumstances under
which the claim arose The bunk had entered
into an eXecutoy contract In 1868 for the purchase
OF the cotton, but the cotton had remained In the
possession of the vendors until after the restric
tons OH commercial intercourse had been re
moved, and 1t was delivered in 1865.
Mr. ingalls, inquired IL New Orleans was no
then in the possession of the United States forces
and If this bank not contracting for cotton IL
the insurreGtionary districts.
Mr. Jackson replied that that was So.
Mr. ingalls, inquired If the cotton had not beer
MIR Jackson replied that It had.
MIR Ingalls, could not think that this could bI
called an executory contract The cotton haC
been paid for by the bank and had been left in the
rSsHst the government, He did not see why The
bank should be permitted the relief prayed for b!
Mr.. jackson stated that the parties had re
affirmed the contract at time when they coulC
lawfully do So The cotton had been SURRENDERED
at n time when II could lawfully be done. Tn,
government holds the proceeds Of this cotton II
trust for some one, aud IL could only be for thu
bank. This bill did not adjud!cate anything, h,
said but allowed the bank to take the claim L
MT ingalls, coutended that the contract havlnl
been one which the bank had no right to make
IL was void db intfo
oil the contract of 1863 and that alone, the com
mittee would not have reported in favor of the
bill but the contract had been performed /
may have been illegal when MADE but was lega
when performed.
Mr., ingalls, Insisted that in both cases the law
had been violated, and the government had
right to the money and the cotton,
The bill was passed by vote OF 30 TO To-
Mr. Beck called up the bill debated Wednesda!
relating TO national bank circulation, prOVidinl
that, upon deposit of United States bonds, bank
shall be entitled 10 circulating notes OF dlfferen
Iar value Of the bonds deposited, but that at NJ
time should the total amount of such note
issued to any such association exceed the amour
then actually paid in OF Its capital stock.
Mr.. Beck spoke at some length In favor Of the
bill The banks were ont of politics now he said
and nobody opposed them. This was measur
necessary for the country. AS the United state
government only expected to pay par for tn
bonds, there was no hardship In the provision q
the bill limiting the issue 70 the par values. w
| were prosperous now, Mr.. Beck said, but may no
\ always be so, and 1t would not do to base tn
Sircuiation as had been proposed by some amend
\ ments 10 the pending bill, upon the market vain