The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-25
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.

THE SENATE.
Passage of Bill for Purchase of the Re-
mainder of the Oklahoma Lands.
WASHINGTON Feb. 24.-The Chair laid before
the Senate memorial from the Legislature of
Wisconsin urging the placing of General Grant
on the retired list of the army.
Mr. Hoar, from the committee on privileges
and elections, submitted written report regard
ing the dual sets of credentials of Senator ALI
sons election. The substance of the report, Mr.
Hoar said, was, that as Mr.. Allison appeared to
be elected in either event, it was not profitable
to inquire whether the legal election was that
which took place on the second Tuesday after
the temporary organization of the Legislature,
or the second Tuesday after the permanent or
ganization. and if it were necessary to determine
that question, it was forthe Forty ninth, and not
the Forty eighth Congress, to determine. Mr..
Hoar added that of course there was no doubt
whatever of Mr.. Anison's election
Mr.. Cullom presented a memorial from the
Legislature of Illinois, urging some early and
satisfactory settlement of the Oklahoma ques
ton.
Mr.. Dawes asked unanimous consent to at
once take up the bill heretofore introduced by
him, to authorize the President to negotiate for
the purchase of the renal ming lands of the Sem
mole, Creek and Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
Mr.. Sherman said that the bill had better be
considered at the regular time.
Mr.. Dawes said the regular time would never
come
Unanimous consent was given to take up the
bill, land in less than five minutes it was read
and passed 1t now goes to the House for action
by that body
Mr. Jones, of Nevada, from the committee on
contingent expenses, reported favorably reso-
luton to pay ex-senator Spencer, of Alabama
the amount of his disbursements in maintaining
his right to a seat in the Senate. Placed on the
calendar.
The naval appropriation bill was laid before
the Senate and referred to the committee on ap-
preparations.
Mr. Mitchell moved TO take up the first pen
sion bill on the calendar. Agreed to-yeas 49,
nays g.
The bill was passed. and motion prevailed to
take up, in their order, all pension bills favor
ably reported, and they were accordingly pro-
ceeded with.
Pension bills upon the calendar and favorably
reported having been disposed Of Mr. Cockre
called up the house BILL already favorably re-
ported by him, presented by committee on mil
itary affairs, to provide for settlement of claims
of officers and enlisted men of the army, for loss
OF private property destroyed in the military
service of the United States.
Mr.. Cockrell said it was bill to provide by
general law method of settlement for claims
and which are uniformly passed by Congress.
1t would not, however, include all losses suffered
In war; neither would it cover such things as
carpets, watches etc, but articles deemed use
full, necessary and reasonable for officers and
soldiers to have when on duty.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Sherman, the time
for presenting such claims was limited to two
years, and, SO amended, the bill was passed.
Mr.. Cockrell also called up the House bill,
heretofore reported favorably from the commit
tee on claims, limiting to three years time the
presenting of claims for bounty or back pay for
services In the late war or previous wars and
limiting to six years' time for presenting all
claims originating hereafter against the United
States except in cases of pensions. The bill
provides that it shall not be construed to extend
the power of the Court of Claims nor to include
claims now barred by the statnte of limitations
Mr. Blair thought the bill would exclude large
number of claims Of colored soldiers.
Mr.. Cockrell believed nearly all claims of that
class were already in though not all adjusted
Mr.. Blair did not agree with Mr.. Cockrell as to
all being in.
Mr. Ingalls, said the United States did not per-
NIT the statute of claims to against the gov
ernment, and he thought an honest claim
should not be limited III the manner presented
in the bill
Mr.. Coekrell said the bill was no innovation on
present law, but general law to apply all
cases.
Mr.. Hawley said the United States was the
only civilized government in the world that did
not permit itself to be sued, yet insisted suing
it's own citizens without regard to time. He
cited the case of a citizen sued by the United
States sixteen years after the closing Of the ac-
counts of an officer, for whom he had been Sc
curity.
Mr.. Blair said there were 200, 900 colored ex-
soldiers of the Union. many of whom were. by
this bill, given only three years to file their
claims, while persons not soldiers were given six
years.
Mr. Hoar thought three years enough for
claims that had already been running twenty
years.
Mr.. Harrison thought ex soldiers should be al
lowed six years
Mr.. Sherman offered an amendment providing
that the act should not apply to bonds or other
securities of the United States.
MIR. Hoar offered an amendment excluding also
from the operation Of the act the claim of any
State against the United States.
Mr.. Doph saying it was impossible to pass
todaya bill of SO much Importance, moved an
executive session, which was agreed to, and the
Senate without action On the bill, went into
executive session, and when the doors reopened
adjourned
Before adjournment message from the House
announced disagreement with the Senate on the
agricultural appropriation bill. The Senate in
sisted on it's amendments, and the chair ap-
pointed committee of conference.
THE HOUSE.