, 1885-02-27
HOUSE.


then went into executive session and
shortly adjourned.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2G.-A concurrent
resolution was agreed to, rendering the
thanks of congress to Col. Casey, his
corps Of engineers and his assistants and
workmen for the admirable manner in
which he and they performed their re-
spective duties in the completion of the
monument to the name and fame of
Washington. Mr.. Thomas moved to re-
consider the vote by which the resolution
was adopted in order to oppose the reso-
luton. He called attention to the fact
that its effect would be to extend the
period OF duration which Col. Casey
would be on the active list ten years. He
did not wish to detract from the achieve
ment of Casey, but did not want the
thanks of congress to be made too cheap.
He did not think it right that Col.
Casey's term should be increased ten
years for achieving this simple civil enter
| prise. while no honor was given officers
fighting on the frontier. The motion to
reconsider was agreed to and the resolu-
ton laid upon the table.
Mr.. Forney submitted the conference
report on the army appropriation bill.
Adopted.
An agreement vas reported on all
amendments except that relative to the
hours during which courts martial may
hold their sessions. A further conference
was ordered.
Mr.. Cobb moved to suspend the rules
and take from the speakers table for
reference to the committee on public lands
the house bill repeating the presumption,
timber culture and desert land laws. with
senate amendments thereto. In support
ing the motion Mr.. Cobb said no greater
evil had been done to the future of the
country than had been done through
fraud and perjury under the laws which it
was proposed to repeal.
Nj. Converse asserted more fraud had
been committed under the homestead
than under the pre- -emption laws, and in
stanced the case Of Estes park, Col,
which had all been taken up by Lord
Dunraven under the homestead law.
Mr.. Payson c~ontroverted this state
ment and said he had papers in his pos
session showing Estes park was taken
up under the presumption law.
Mr.. Valentine thought he voiced the
settlement of the people of the West in
protesting against the repeal of these
laws. The demand for the repeal can't
from two sources, from the great railway
corporations which could not raise the
price of their lands 50 long as the pre-
emption law remained in force, and
second, from the great cattle kings who
wished the timber culture act repealed in
order that their herds might roam ovel
praries undisturbed by settlers.
Mr.. Perkins sock the same view of III,
question and characterized the bill as in
g~enious legislation in favor Of large CATTLE
organizations in the West.
Mr.. Converse opposed the repea
of what he considered bene
fcient laws. If there was -fraut
committed under the laws, let tn
~rascals who commit it be turned out AMI
honest men put in their places.
Mr.. Maginnis thought the bill SHOULD
be entitled an act "in the interest o
| cattle kings and to double the price o
/ railroad lands"
Mr.. Holman summed up the issue pre-
sonted as being, whether the public land
should be disposed of to actual settlers o
to spectators.
Mr.. Payson referred the house to tn
fact that for the past few years ever
= sundry civil appropriation bill had cor
e tanned an appropriation of not less tina
0 800, 900 to ferret out frauds under tn
e pre- emption laws, as proof that sue
+ frauds existed, and he Indignantly denie
e that such legislation was in the interest {
t cattle kings.
Y The motion to suspend the rules an
e refer the presumption land bill was los