National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-06-09
THE HOMESTEAD LAWS.
Amendments Proposed In tho House OF

Amendments Proposed in tho House ON
saturday-Ot Business Transacted.
The house Saturday took up the bill FORGETTING
the unearued Atlantic and Pacific land grants,
and after, an explanation by Mr.. Cobb the bill
was passed.
Mr.. Randall, from the committee on appropra-
lions, reported tho general deficiency bill, and 1t
was referred to the committee Of the whole.
THE HOMESTEAD LAWS.
Mr.. Cobb then called up the bill repeating tho
presumption and timber culture and amending
the homes cad laws.
MIR. Holman of Indiana, offered an amend
ment, Which was adopted repeating the act pro-
vdng for the sale of desert lands in certain states
and territories.
On motion Of Mfr. Nelson an amendment was
adopted providing that all persons who have
heretofore in good faith, made settlements OIL the
public lands under the pre- emption laws shall he
permitted to make final proof aud entry upon not
Mr.. Holman offered an amendment providing
that no public lands Of the United states adapted
to agriculture sho oil DO sold, except mineral lands
and town sites and oil Of the public lands adapted
TO agriculture shall be reserved for actual and
bona tde settlers only under tho provisions Of the
homestead law, subject, however, TO bounty land
warrants and college script Issued by authority OF
congress and the grants which congress has made
for the purpose of education.
To the debate which followed Mr.. Golf gave n
slightly political turn by the declaration that the
homestead law had been almost solidly opposed
- p''ANJ VIM 'NNSSN " - NSAhb-
Mr.. Cobb retorted by the statement that since
the republican party had come into power in had
In the most iagrant manner wasted and given
away the public lands.
MIR. Holman contended that the homestead law
was essentially IA democratic measure quito o
long discussion ensued confined principally to
declarations of the necessity of rcserying the
public lands for actual settlers, which called forth
the remark from MIR. Van Eaton that time would
be saved IL II could be taken for granted that all
members were devoted to thepeopo instead Of re-
quirlng them to be always talking about that do
Mr.. Herbert moved TO amend Mr. Holman
amendment by striking ont the words, adapted
TO agriculture" whore they FIRST occur and to in.
sert in lieu thereof the following, (which shall be
decided by the interior department to be more
valuable in the market for agricultural purposes
poses"
The vote resulted-yeass5, nays III. No quorum,
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
Mr.. Hoblltzoll, from the committee on reform in
the civil service reported adversely bills to repeal
the civil service uct, aud they were laid on the
table. The report accompanying the bills says !:
workings of the commission appointed to execute
the law, and heartily recommend II for the intei-
gent and efficient administration of the important
branch of executive power" The report refers to
the abuse of the appointing power, where places
are given MS the reward of political service, and
says that since the organization OF tho civil ser.
vice commission great good has been accom-
plished in many directions, and better feeling
peryHdes the dominant public sentiment on tho
SUBJECT Oh reform IN the civil service inspiring inc
hope that at no distant day the benefits of similar
laws may extend throughout the several states,
and by a harmony and homOgoniousness Of senti-
ment and action much of that which now con-
tributes to the bitterness Of political contests and
the scandal of our FREQ institutions shall be for
ereliminated and destroyed-state and national.
RETIREMENT OF GEN. rLEAsASToS.
Mr.. Morgan, from tho committee OH military
affairs, reported bill authorizing tho retirement
Of Alfred PleasantOn with the rank Of colonel.
House calender
ANOTHER SOLDIERS HOME WANTED.
Mr.. ONelll presented the petition OF j. A. Mower
Post, Grand Army of the Potomac, for the estab-
lishment of II national soldiers home ut some
point in tho gulf states. Referred.
JURISDICTION OF CIRCUIT COURTS.
on motion of Mr. Culberson bill was passed
amending tho act to determine the Jurisdiction OF
United States circuit courts, aud To regulate the
removal of causes from state to federal courts.
The bill increases the minimum Jurisdiction of
circuit courts from $500 to $1,000, takes away from
those courts Jurisdiction OF causes in favor OF
assgneCs of prOmissory notes and bills OF ex-
change, and also suits OF q civil nature arising
between corporation and the citizen of any state
in which the corporation may have been carrying
on business ut The time the cause of action ac-
cTuCd, and restricts 10 the defendant the right IA
remove cause from the state to the federal court