Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-31
CONGRESSIONAL.
MONDAY, Dec. 81,

MONDAY, Dec. 81,
Se1lGte-Among the bills favorably
reported was the Edmunds bill from
the committee Ola Judiciary, in refer
ence TO bigamy and polygamy in Utah.
Edmunds eaid he would ask the senate
to take up the bill immediately after
the holiday recess. Sen. Cullen intro
duced his postal telegram bill to-day.
1t provides for the purchase of any ex-
listing lines under provisions Of the act
of 1865, at the appraised value to be as
certained by a commission of five dis
interested persons. The bill was re-
ferred to the committee on postoffices
AID post roads, to be considered in con-
nection with the bill on the same sub
ject recently introduced by Sen. Ed
munds. Among the bills introduced
ard referred in the senate were the fol-
lowing: By Sen. Van Wyck, to estab-
lish an additional land district in the
state of Nebraska, to be called the
Cheyenne district. 1t also provides
| for the sale Of that part Of the reserva-
ton in the state CT Nebraska of the
| Winnebego tribe of Indians, also to
provide for the organization Gf that
part of the territory of the United
States known as the Indian territory
and the public land strip in TIE terri
tory Of Oklahoma, and to provide
a temporary government for the same
for the allotment of homesteads to
the Indiazs in severalty and to open
the unoccupied lands to settlers.
Bills ere Introduced as follows: By
Sen. Harris, fer the relief of Rear Ad-
miral Carter, y. S. A. Sen. Mcpherson
for the relief of the officers and crew of
the United States steamer Monitor, who
participated in the engagement with the
rebel iron clad Merrimac in 1862. Sen.
| Logan, to increase 5he efficiency of the
army of the United States. Also, to
equalize the bounty of the soldiers.
sailors and mariners Of the late war of
the union. Also, to pension the pris-
oners Of war who were confined in the
confederate prisons during the late
war. Also, to egulate marine hospital
appointments. Sen. Buffers recent
resolution relating to Dakota was re-
ferred to the committee on territories.
The senate passed the house concurrent
resolutions providing for holding a re.
cess, and after the executive session adj
| journed until January 5.
! HOuSe,-The regular order of business
being demanded, the speaker proceeded
to call the states for bills and resolution
for reference. Bill were introduced as
follows: Mr.. Henly, of California, de-
claring forfeited certain lands granted
to aid in the construction ef the North
ern Pacific Railway company; also, the
| Southern Pacific Railway company;
also railroad from Portland, Oregon,
| to the Central Pacific railroad ia Cali
fornia. Mr.. Dunn. of Arkansas, amend
| ing the Pacific railroad acts. 1t requires
railroads to take out patents for lands
earned. Mr.. TOwnshend, of Illinois, to
organize a territorial government in
Indian government. Itprovides for the
establishment of courts and the allot
ment of lands to Indians in severality.
l. grants patents to Indians for lands
allotted in severality, making them,
| however, inallenable for % years, and
requiring all the remaining lands held
by the Indians to be sold and to be
opened to settlement, and the proceeds
of sales to be used by the government
for the education and civilization of
the Indians; also, increasing the pen
sion of the widows of soldiers Of the
late war to $12 per month; also for the
| establishment of an American customs
union. Mr.. Thomas, of Illinois, granting
pensions to all soldiers who served
thirty days in the late war; also, to
equalize bOunties; also, to divide The
state of Illinois into three judicial
DISTRICTS; also, providing a consti-
tional amendment prohibiting poly
gamy in the United States. Mr.. Pay
son, of Illinois, granting lands
to honorably discharged soldiers of the
late war; also repeating the timber Gull
ture, presumption and desert land acts;
ferfeitiug the lands granted to aid in
the construction of the Memphis &
Charleston and Northern Pacific rail-
ways; also forfeitiLg the lands granted
to the state of Michigan TO aid in the
/ construcao Of railroads; also to put
lumber on the free list: also to reduce
the duty on lumber; also proposing
constitutional amendment permitting
the president to veto items in general
appropriation bills. Mr. Murphy, of
Iowa, for the construction Of the Hen
nepin canal. Mr.. Frederick, of Iowa,
TO enable the people of the territory of
Dakota to form a constitution. Mr..
Holmes, of Iowa, to establish agricul-
tural experiment stations. Mr.. COnger,
| of Iowa, to increase the pension Of sol
diers who are totally disabled. When
the state of Maine was reached the call
vas discontinued with the understand
| inC that it be resumed when the house
meets on January 5. One thousand
and four bills were introduced to-day,
| including one for the erection of pub
| lie building at Fort Dodge, Iowa, Ad-
journed until January 5.
A. J. Pickering has returned from
Europe. and located studio IN the