The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-06
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS-
A Long and Profitless Session Brought
to a Close at Last.
The Two Houses Finish Up SOME Miscellane-
Ous Business, and Adjourn Sine Die
President Pro Tenn. Sherman's Address.
The Bill for the Repeal of the Presumption
TofIc

The Bill for the Repeal of the Pre- Emption
Law Fails
WASHINGTON, Aug 5-Mr Allison moved to
take up the final adjournment resolution. Mr..
Conger opposed action for the present until the
the fate of the river and harbor bill should be
known
Dir. ingalls, said he thought the Senate was be-
ing trifed with. He submitted that it was not
appropriate, after the business of both Houses
was considered as closed and when they were
all ready to depart, to be kept here doing moth
ing, in the expectation, or hope, or surmise or
conjecture that at some time in the future they
would be advised what action might be taken by
the executive on bill sent to him for his APP
proval. It was trifiing with the public interests
to allow the adjournment resolution to remain
Enacted on. 1t was the first time in executive
history that Congress had been permitted to ad-
journ without the executive coming to the Capt.
tol and availng himself Of the usual custom to
ascertain the will of Congress.
Mr. Plumb, from the conference committee
on the bill for the repeal of the presumption
and timber culture acts, stated that the Senate
conferees had agreed to yield everything except
a provision that where there was allegation
of fraud in the entry of land the issue shall be
sent to a court for adjudication. The House
conferees had declined that. and had also de-
clined to sign conference report AS matters
now stood, it was claimed to be in the power of
the Commissioner of the General Land Office to
to set aside absolutely proportion under any
of these acts and practically without investiea-
tion-except one-sided. Agents were now at
work seeking out technical objections. This
had produced great CONSERVATION and great in
dignation. The Senate conferees felt that
cases involving the title to valuable property
ought to be tried all other questions tried
that relate to property or the rights of indi-
viduals. He thought it proper to make this
statement
Mr.. Harris 1.-THE chair being occupied by Mr.
HawleyI, offered a resolution of thanks to
Senator Sherman sfor the ability, courtesy and
impartiality" with which he had presided over
the Senate during the present session. The
question was put and the Chair declared the reso-
luton unanimously adopted, but Mr.. Riddleber-
ger demanded the presence of quorum, 0eclar-
ing that the resolution ought not to pass. and
without quorum could not pass. In this diff
Guilty There pot being quorum PRESENT. the
Senate, at 1910. took recess until l o'clock.
After the recess, Mr. Hawley, referring to Mr..
Becks bill to prohibit members of Congress act
ing as counsel for subsidized railroad companies
said he had been seeking an opportunity to have
it called up and acted on, but other business had
stood in the way.
Mr. Beck agreed with Mr.. Hawley, that it had
been impossible to have action the bill this
session. He thought however, that the bill had
not had fair play He did not believe that a
single member of the judiciary committee would
vote for the substitute which it had reported.
He thought that the committee had sought to
make burlesque of what he regarded as very
serious matter He moved that the second Mon
day in December next be fixed for it's considera-
ton. The motion WAS agreed to.
The House bill for the relief Of certain soldiers
of the Twelfth Michigan Volunteer Infantry
(dishonorably discharged), was amended and
passeas
Mr. Edmunds reported that the committee of
the two houses appointed to wait on the Presi-
dent to inform him that the two houses had com
pleted the business OF the session and were
ready to adjourn unless he had some further
communication to make, had performed that
duty, and were informed by the President that
he had no further communication to make, and
that he congratulated the two houses on the
termination of their labors.
Mr. Plumb, from the conference committee on
the Notifications bill, reported that the commit
tee had been unable to agree. which amounted to
the failurs of the bill After debate the subject
was dropped.
After short delay the moment of adjourn
ment arrived and the Chair said:
Senators-Before announcing the termination
of this session of the Senate, beg leave to re-
turn to each Of you my grateful thanks for your
uniform courtesy and kindness to me as your
presiding officer and especially for the resolu-
ton of to-day in which sou have expressed your
approval This session has been distinguished
by the great number and variety of subjects
which have been considered, and by the marked
absence of political controversies. The varied
needs and aims of rapidly growing country
have occupied more of the time of the Senate
A short recess will enable you to greet your con-
stituents and | hope and trust that each of you
will return next December with renewed health
and strength to your important duties. In pur-
suance of the resolution of the two houses of
Congress, now declare this session closed sine
die.
A hurried leaye-taking among Senators and
employees took place. and half an hour later the
chamber was empty.