St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-07
NATIONAL LEGISLATION.
The Oregon Central Land Forfeiture
Bill Passed by the Senate.
After Lengthy Discussion in the House the
Pension Appropriation Bill is Passed.
Numerous Bills Introduced and Referred
for Futher Consideration.
FORTY EIGHTH CONGRESS.
The Senate.

The Senate.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-In the senate to-
day the bill was favorably reported authoriz-
ing the First National bank, of Larned, Kan
sas, to increase its capital stock not to ex-
ceed $3.50, 900.
The following bills were introduced and
referred:
By Senator Hawley, to establish an inter-
national copyright.
By Senator Manderson, to grant right OF
way over the Ft. Robinson military reserva-
ton in Nebraska to the Fremont, Elkhorn e.
Missouri Valley railroad.
Senator ingalls, stated that on the 4th Of
December, 1883, he introduced bill which
was referred to the committee on pensions to
amend the arrears of pension acts of Janu-
AIRY and March, 1Ss3 The bill had been
now thirteen months in the possession of the
committee and he supposed that sufficient
length OF time for 1t to make up its mind as
to the propriety of the passage or rejection of
the bill. For the purpose of testing the
sense Of the senate as to the bill he moved
to discharge the committee from its further
consideration.
Senator Mitchell, chairman of the pension
committee, said the whole subject covered by
the bill referred to had been gone over at the
last session in connection with the Mexican
pension bill, and the action taken on Ingalls,
motion went over to Monday.
On motion of Senator Slater the senate re-
sumed consideration of the Oregon Central
land forfeiture bill, and Morgan spoke in op-
position to it. He (Morgan) moved to amend
by adding to the bill in substance the provis-
ions which, on his motion, had been added
| to the Atlantic and Pacific forfeiture bill pio-
| viding q IN, ID IF judicial procedure for
| ascertainmcnt OF the rights of any parties
claiming under the grant.
| The hour of 2 O'Clock arriving, considera-
| ton of the interstate commerce bill was about
| to be resumed, but, on motion of Senator
Slater, the senate, by vote of 90 yeas to 22
nays, decided to lay that bill aside till to-
morrow in order to continue the considera-
tion of the Oregon Central bill
Senator Morgan spoke at considerable
length in advocacy of his proposed amend
.ment. The bonds, which were lien on the
road, he said, were outstanding in the hands
of innocent parties, and whatever rights in
| hered in the holders of those bonds were
rights that they could best investigate and
decide upon.
''In Gods name" said he, ''what sort of
a government have we got If the Judicial de-
partmeDt cannot be trusted 10 pass upon
title! When did congress get its reputation
| for immaculate purity to such an extent as
! that it rose above the reputation of judges?
When did we find the precincts of our courts
haunted by gangs of foul lobbyists TO attempt
to pervert the decisions OF those courts. 1t
is not the courts such people visit; they visit
congress. They are not found about the su-
preme court, but are often found in the
lobbies of this body. l will not say that
| where a carcass is, there the eagles gather
together; that would be unjust, but | will say
this, that for serene, honest Judgment, of
perfect integrity, and one upon which the
country can rest with satisfaction, commend
me TO the court rather than TO any legislative
body
Senator Slater replied 10 Senator Morgan
and maintained Moigan's amendment was
unnecessary. The bondholders' rights were
shown by the grant; they had such rights as
the granting act gave them and could have
no more. Senalor Slater denied that this was a
case of confiscation. IL was a case Of rever-
sion, or forfeiture, because of the condition
being broken.
Senator Dolph said the portion Of lands
granted the Oregon company has been earned
by the construction Of the corresponding por-
ton of the road within the time specified in
the act granting the lands. The portion to
which the pending bill related had not been
earned. The condition subsequent on which
the grant has been made was not fulfilled,
and not being fulfilled the grant became
void. II was not within the power Of con-
gress, Senator Dolph said, to cut off in bill
-
citizen. The rights of all could be asserted
in the court in spite Of any act OF congress.
After further argument Senator Morgan's s
amendment was rejected. Ayes, Is; nays,
2S. The bill was then read the third time
and passed without division. Before the an
nouncement Of the vote on his amendment
Morgan changed his vote from yea TO nay,
and, on the passage of the bill, gave imme-
diate notice Of a motion TO reconsider. The
vote in detail on Morgans amendment is as
follows: