The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-16
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS-
The Senate Finally Passes the Northern
Pacific Land Forfeiture Bill.
Mr.. Hiscock Presents the House Democrats
with Few Figures Showing that De-
iciency of $14 900, 600 Is Inevitable.
THE SENATE.


Passage of the Measure Known as the NORTH
ern Pacific Forfeiture Bill.
WASHINGTON, June 15.--After routine bust
ness in the Senate, Mr.. Beck remarked that, ow-
Ing to the submission, yesterday. of Mr. Ed
mund's resolution, which would admit Of
debate on q motion to reconsider, he
lMr. Beck would await the report OF
the committee on rules as to that resolu-
ton before calling up the Hawley motion to re-
consider the vote by which the Senate passed
the bill to prohibit members of Congress from be-
coming attorneys Of railroad companies.
On motion of Mr.. Dolph, the Northern Pacific
forfeiture bill was taken up, and Mr.. George re-
aumed his remarks on the bill
Mr.. Mitchell, of Oregon, characterized Mr..
Georges speech as the most extraordinary that
he had ever heard in the Senate. 1t had never
before been claimed that those lands had been
granted on conditions precedent All lawyers
had heretofore recognized the conditions as con-
ditions subsequent.
The amendment of Mr. Van Wyck was then
brought to vote. That amendment declares
forfeited the lands co-ierminus with the portion
of the Cascade branch not completed at the date
Of the passage of the pending bill. The amend
affirmative vote nine were Republicans, being
Messrs. Aldrich, Chace. Cullom, Harrison, Lo-
gan, Spooner, Teller, Van Wyck and Wilson. of
Iowa. OF the negative votes three were Demo
Gratis, namely, Messrs Brown, Payne and Pugh.
Otherwise than is just noted, the affirmative
votes were Democratic and the negative votes
Republican. Quite number of pairs were
nounced
Mr.. Eusts informally submitted his amend
ment, already suggested, being provision in the
nature of a substitute. FORGETTING all lands CO.
terminus with such portions of the road as were
not completed on July 4, 1879. excepting the
right of way, and excepting, also, the lands in
eluded in village, town or city sites. The
amendment provides for confirmation of the
stiles OF actual settlers.
Mr. Beck opposed the amendment, and Mr.
Eustis supported it.
Mr.. Vance criticised the land grant policy of
the government as having been wasteful and ex-
travagant
Mr.. Teller defended the course of the Repub-
hcan party as to the purity and patriotism of its
motive and conduct in relation to public lands,
hnd said that at the time the grants were made
Ahe Senator from North Carolina and his friends
were in arms against the government
Mr.. Logan said it did not come with good
grace from gentlemen, for political capital, to
some here and denounce the acts Of those who
pad charge of this government at the time the
land grants were made Mr. Logan was not
opposed to the rights of any Of the people, but
was in favor of honesty toward all people He
would treat a corporation just he would treat
m individual If he made a contract with an
individual, and that individual complied with
the contract, Mr.. Logan would be bound by it,
and If the contract was extended for time, it
was renewed. Some Senators thought it would
be popular to violate an honest contract. They
were willing, however. that the government
should double the price of its own land on ac-
count OF the railroad. Mr.. Logan was willing
TO vote tor the forfeiture of every grant of land
where the right to forfeit existed-where the
company had not built its road.
Mr.. EdmundS opposed the amendment.
Mr.. Eustis's amendment was rejected-yeas
IL, nays 80
Mr.. Salisbury proposed an amendment forbid
ding executive officers from issuing patents for
any lands liable to forfeiture sil Congress should
anthorizs such issue. Rejected.
' Mr.. Van Wyck offered amendment repeal
Ing the clause of the granting act which made
the right of way exempt from taxation in the
Territories He said that. under all the circum-
stances, he thought the road should bear its
share of taxation. The amendment was agreed
to-yeas 26, nays 20.
Mr.. Blair offered an amendment providing
that Immigrant roads that had not completed
their lines within the time allowed by the grant
ing act, and which had since proceeded in good
faith, and with reasonable diligence to complete
IL, should now be allowed Eve years to so COM
plete its road; but requiring that the lands
should be disposed of to private individual OWL
efs inside OF ten years from the passage of this
act, in tracts not exceeding 800 acres to any one
Individual, and at price not more than So. so
per acre. all lands not so disposed Of within that
term to be forfeited. Mr.. Blair spoke in support
Of his amendment.
On motion of Mr. Mitchell, or Oregon this
amendment was laid on the table.
The bill being brought to vote was passed.
yeas AZ, nays Mr.. Blair
On motion of Mr.. Dolph. the bill repeating the
presumption, timbercuitnre and desert-land act
was then laid before the Senate, and is the un
finished business for tomorrow. The Senate then
adjourned.