The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-03-10
TWO TONGUE -THRASHINGS
Van wyek and Teller Shoot on Their
Mouths at Length
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IN The OPEN SENATE SESSION
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The Nebraska Veteran Pounees on to
the Colorado Tendsrfoot
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ON THE BACKBONE LAND GRANT.
Two Caustic Speeches, with Pointed Per-
sonalities bordering ON the "yon'rs
Another style-Mr. Cievc-
LANDS Many visitors.
ON THE BACKBONE LAND GRANT.
GENERAL WASHINGTON REPORTS


reading OF the journal,
The CHAIR laid before the senate n
communication from the secretary OF
state, being a notice that he (Mr. Bay
ard) had forwarded to the legislature OF
the state of Delaware the resignation Of
his position as senator.
Also communication from the secre-
tary of the interior, and the attorney
general, notifying the senate of their ac-
ceptance OF cabinet positions, and re-
questing the president OF the senate to
so notify the legislatures OF their respec
tive states.
The credentials of Mr.. Blair, as sena-
tor to fill the temporary vacancy from
New Hampshire, were laid before the
senate and read.
Mr.. VEST moved that they be re-
terred to the committee on privileges
and elections. Lost.
Mr.. H0AR offered resolution that
the oath be administered to the senator
from New hampshire.
Mr.. HARRIS asked unanimous con-
sent that it lay over till tomorrow.
Granted.
The resolution offered on Friday last
by Mr.. Van Wyck, making inquiry Of
the secretary of the interior in regard
to the Issuance of patenta to the "Back-
bonen road, was laid heore the senate,
and
Mr.. VAN wYCK spoke at length.
He said ii was matter OF sincere re-
gret that the last act of the late admins
! tration should have beer performed at
the dictation and in the interest of cor
porate wealth. He detailed the history
OF the backbone" road and its mysterl.
GUS record, which h0 said formed
u most remarkable chapter in railroad
annals. Gould and Huntington, he de-
clared, were schemingin the matter, as
they were with Tom Scott and the
Texas Pacific, using the samo tactics
and the same influences. Niry wo0..d moi
consent that congress .hhould iorfei
this grant, unless 1t shoald convey II tc
them. The proposition was so inia
nous that congress, though manlpu
lated, as Huntington delineates II
would not consent. IL was claime'
that there was a special meeting of th
cabinet; that its last act was to legaliz
this fraud. Did the actual settlers OF
this land have any advocate thore, anC
were their rights protected? The Law
assured settlers their rights, but die
the cabinet protect them, or wer'
they turned over to the tender mercls o
this corporation7 II was claime'
by many as an apology or a defense
that secretary Kirkwood desired tn
opirion of the Encouragement as to tn
validity OF this grant. With q few nota
BILE exceptions, the history of the Liant
bureau In the interior department
was record of the demands c
the land grant corporations and tn
orders of the department in obedienc
thereto. But when the demand was TO
A~aatf.ar s,tAttatAt. Of tho atlnrnAN
general was sought, behind which I
escape until the public indignatio
passed by. In this case the attorney
general was equal to he occasion, an
sustained the reputation OF his Office
, that direction. Very learned argument
) by Judges, Dillon, Green and Pierepoir
on behalf OF Gould aud Huntingto
were made before the attornoy-genera
but alas, no ono appeared on behalf
the people. From all the offices of tn
great nation no one appeared to defen
the public domain. No wonder the a
torney-general readily accepted the a
guments OF Gould's attorneys. The II
genuity Of the attoruey-general WI
valuable TO suggest doubt whero MOI
existed, and then resolve those doub
in favor OF corporation. In the fort
eighth congress the public land commi
tee of the house reported In favor OF
forfeiture, but by some political lege
demain the matter was Afterwards
ferred to the judiciary committee to T
port as to the legality Of the forieitur
A majority OF the latter report'
adversely, and was sustained
tho house by close vote. Th
the symmetry Of legislation might
preserved, IL was TO DO hoped thai son
Huntington might hereafter 81
sketches of the means and manner
this achievement. By what mysterlo
power would this company or its q
signee coerce this governmo
into extra session of Is cabinet al
secure action with which tn
the people from effectively deprivi
the spoilor OF his prey. What had {
president and cabinet to waive
broken conditions? That power W
tested In congress alone2 But why u
haste? Why should clerks work nigh
and insult the religious sentiment
the country by working on Sunda
What was tho necessity,public or 9th
wiser This republic was not TO pori
on the 4th of March.
continuity WAS not TO be disturb
by changing the executive. There "
to be no suspension ofpoy OK aud dutil
Was all other business in the inter-
department concluded, too, by March
Did the other executive departmel
work their forces nights aud Sunds
so that the new administration mil
start with only new business? 4
"A people should ask why q
N haste. Was II dangerous
VI trust Misrepresentation of the people
y the next congrcss7 Was it dangerI
TO trust tho incoming administration
do Justice to the mon claiming {
grant3 Was thore danger that
rights OF settlers on those lands wol
be recognized and the public domain
protected by tho incoming adminisi
ti0n? If 80, then it evidently had l
A been installed too soon. ii desired
II give the public notice q
- the legality of these pate
would be contested 80 that purchas
and bonds now TO be pushed might |
claim the protection accorded AN in
cent purchaser without notice. :.
&c Mr.. TELLER, replying TO Mr.. v
% Wick, said:
aMr. PREsrpENT-My oxperlo
in this body has not b
as lengthy as that OF 40
that sit before me, but alter somoth
over eight years IN which have he eI
public service, oonfess 10 considers
. astonishment on picking up q resolut
~ so discourteous, 10 unsonRtorial, as
to coordinate branch of the ROvs
- ment. Isuppose II has socomplis
the purpose for which II was introd nc
Ii has enabled the mover Of the res,
tIon TO appear before the public, not