McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-03-19
FORTY.NINTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

In the senate on the 9th the resolution of
Van Wyck making inquiry OF the secretary of
the interior in regard to the issuance of
patents to the 'Back-Bone'' road was laid be-
fore the senate
Van Wick spoke at considerable length.
He detailed the history of the Backbone"
road and its mysterious record" which, he
said formed the most remarkable chapter In
railroad annals. He characterized the matter
as fraud, gotten up in the interests of Gould
and Huntington. 1t was claimed, he said,
that there was a special meeting of the cabi-
net to legalize the scheme. He wished to be
informed whether the actual settlers on the
land in question had any advocate there and
whether their rights had been protected. In
referring to the opinion of the attorney gen
eral, Van Wyck said, as the interests of Gould
and Huntington were ably represented while
no one appeared for the people, the decision
of that Official was very naturally in favor OF
the former. The ingenuity of the attorney
general, he said was valuable to suggest
doubts where none existed and then resolved
those doubts in favor of the corporation.
Replying to Van Wyck, Teller said he must
confess to considerable establishment on pick
ing up resolution SO diScourteous, so unseen
atoriaI as this, TO a coordinate branch OF the
government. He supposed it had accom-
plished the purpose for which it was intro
duced. 1t enabled the mover of the resolution
to appear before the public in bis role of cham
senator INTRODUCING the resolution expected
nothing more. If Teller might be permitted
to refer to himself, he would say that BY his
rulings in the interior department he had done
the senator from Nebraska (Van Wyck) had
done in his lifetime of public service.
In the senate on the 10th the resolution Of
fered by Hoar that Blair be sworn In as sena-
tor to fill vacancy was taken up and long
discussion followed. The legislature which Is
Nov, uorp, hi will
not meet until June next. The point was
raised by ingalls, that the question at issue
had significant bearing upon the senatorial
vacancy in Illinois and Oregon. After fur
Their debate the resolution was agreed to-yeas
g. nays 10.
The only departure from diversion upon
party lines was in the case OF Jones (Fla. !,
who voted in the affirmative with the repuon-
cans. The oath was then administered to
Blair and the senate adjourned
In the senate on the 10Th Henderson offered
a resolution calling upoE the secretary of
state for such information as that depart nent
may have regarding the rumored confedera-
tion of states in Central America.
Senator George presented the credentials OF
Walthall as senator from Mississippi, vice
vice Lamar, resigned, and Walthall took the
oath.
The senate adjourned without executive SEES
sion and without executing any nominations
from the president.
In the senate on the 18th Senator Cameron
offered resolution naming the chairmen and
members Of the senate committees as agreed
upon by the caucuses, and asked immediate
consideration. Agreed to.
ingalls, Offered q resolution calling upon the
president III information in regard to the oc-
cupaties of Oklahoma, and what action was
befno taken in that regard. Under an objec-
from Cockrell it went over until to-mor-
fter short executive session the senate
burned until Monday.