National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-01-07
LAND GRANT FoRFE1rURE.


Important Debate on the Subject in the Sen.
ate-Thc Pension Bill Proyokes Lively
discussion In the House.
The senate devoted nearly all Of yesterdays
session to debate upon the Oregon Central land
grant forfeiture bill, Mcssrs Morgan, Van
Wyck, Slater, Dolph, Blair, and Lapham cngag.
Ing in the discussion. Mr.. Morgan said he was
compelled by his sense of duty rs a senator 70
say that the bill ought not to pass, IL wnsub bill
ola adiCnl character lie favored the return
to the public domain Of all land grants not
earned Nv the railroad companies, but proVis.
ion shoRd be made for u Judicial ascertainment
of the rights Of all parties whose property, was
to be COntisCatcd. When property had been
oOuHscated as result Of the war, Mt Morgan
wu5 glad to be ablo to bear testimony TO the
cquuuimity Of the people OF the United states,
'penking through their REPRESENTATIVES IN IN
IN -iOus aroused by the war, had decrecd that
the sclzod property should be carried into court
before being disposed Of
Mr. Voorhees, inquired whether mere de-
cnrnion Of forfeiture by congress could di.
vest parties Of their rights to appeal to the
courts
Mr. Morgan replied that he knew u did not ;
/ vet that was the purpose aud Intention OF thls
| bin lfthe bill did not have that effect u
| would dsNppoin It's trainers and friends. In
| Gods name" said Mr.. Morgan, what sort OF
Il government hWo we got If the judicial de.
/ q title? When did congress get its reputation
/ for immaculate 9purity TO such extent a.
] that II arose above the reputation OF the
! iudgcs2 When did we find the precincts OF
our courts haunted by gangs Of foul Lobbyists to
attempt 10 pervcrt the decisions OF those
| courts2 10 Is not the courts that such people
! visit: they visit congress. They are not iouni
| about the supreme court, but are oitCn iound
| In the lubbics of this body. | will not say
| he continued "that where the carcass is there
the eagles gather together that would be un.
Just, but will say this, that for serene, honest
! Judgment of perfect integrity, AMI one upon
which the country can rest with satisfaction
commend me to Il court rather than 70 any
| legislative body"
Mr.. Dolph, IN reply, said 1t was not within
the power Of congress 10 cut OIL IN bill Oi thls
character the acquired rights of any citizen.
| The rights OF oil could be asserted In court III
spite OF any act Of congress ~
| The bill was subsequently passed by vote
OF Is against Ia; but Mr.. Morgan changed his
vote from the negative to the affirmative 50 p
TO enable him to enter q motion 70 reconsider;
The pension appropriation bill was passed
los the house. aftCr an explanation Ol the pro-
| visions of the bill by Mr. Hancock and n run
Mug discussion upon several features OF tho
| measure.
MIR Warner invclghcd against the abuse:
which existed under the present pension law
in the matter Of the compensation allowed to
claim agents and declared that the piracy ol
middle ages was an honest calling compared
with the operations of claim agents IN the city
|
of the soldiers; they were Kind of iric nds tC
the soldiers that the wolves were to the sheep.
This claim business In Washington, he said
was entirely too profitable.
Mr. Randall, OF Pennsylvania, said that a
the last session the house had adopted prop
ositiOn TO remedy the evils existing, but the
senate had refused TO concur i'll it, In confer
ence committee legislation had been f9rmu
lated, which was enacted into law, and I'm
der this law the abuses complained OF by TN
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Warner) had crcp
In.
Mr.J d. Taylor, ofohio, attacked the commit
tee on pensions, bounty, and back pay an1
characterized 1t as the graveyard oil all pension
| legislation.
Mr.. Warner Of Ohio, replied in vindicatioT
of the action of the committee.
In tho course Of further debate Mr.. Keifer
of Ohio having the floor, was Interrupted sew
cral times by Mr.. Warner. Mr.. keifer de
clined to yield and expressed the belief ina
Il was very unfair for gentleman VINO ha'
consumed nearly an hour in vindicatiug him
self and his committee to insist on interrupt
ing other speakers.
Mr. Warner replied that he had not con
! sumed ms much time In vlndicating himself a
the gentleman from Ohio had spent last se'
sion In attempting to vindiCate himself.
Mr.. Keifer asked the chair TO have a goo
deal of forbcarance toward the gentlema
from ohio lMr. WarnCr because II was COZ
stitutionnl with him to interrupt.
| The bill having been read for amendment
Mr. Eycrhait, of Pennsylvania, offered pro
! visO that all applicants 'iOr pensions snail %
presumed to havSha no disability at tn,
T timc of enlistment. but such presumption
may be rCbytted. Adopted.
MIR. Hepburn, of Iowa, offered an amend
mcht restoring the number OF pension agent
Di To eighteen. Lost
Mr. Rogers of Arkansas, offered nm amend
ment providing that no agent shall receive an
0 fee for his services in pension cases until u
n allowance of the claim; that al foes shall
paid by the pension agents, and that such ie,
0 shall be SO. except IN cases of special write
4 contract filed in the pension Office, when n f
= of S25 may be contracted for violation
5 this provision is punishable by hne aud In
e prisonment.
Mr. Warner offered an amendment to Il
o amendment limiting the special contracts to
O claimant and claim agent residing in the san
state. Agreed TO-
Q Mr.. ROgcrss amendment as amended WI
v adopted.