Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-11
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
ONLY THE HOUSE IN SESSION,
A LAND FORFEITURE BILL PASSED.
The Sundry Civil Bill Up.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS, ETC.
House of Representatives.

AAVeAo0 VI AANCpACSCAtnuSCDs
On motion OF Mr.. Peters (Kan) bill was passed
extending the laws OF the United States over Ger.
tain unOrganized territory south OF the state OF
Kansas, known as the public land strip, and pro
vding that this land shall be subject to entry by
actual settlers under homestead law.
The Speaker announced the appointment OF
Messrs. Morrison. Harris and Mckinley as con.
fereeS on the fractional gallon BILL and OF MeSSrS
COBB, Van Eaton and PaySOn on the alien land
lord BILL
Mr.. Randall, Pa-), moved that the House pro-
ceed TO the consideration Of the Sundry civil ap-
preparation, but the motion was lost, yeas, 119;
nays, 121. In the morning hour, Mr.. PaySon, Qll),
on behalI OF the committee on public laws, called
up the Dill declaring forfeiture OF the Ontonagon
and Rrule river land grant.
In detailing the circumstances OF the grant, Mr..
Payson declared that from the organization OF the
Ontonagon and Brule River company no step had
ever been taken by 1t which did not indicate that
that organization had been purely speculative and
effected for the purpose of getting land from the
general government. 1t had been an attempt at
Darefaced robbery from its commencement down
to the present time. Referring to the statement
made by persons interested In the road that II had
been accepted by commissioners and reported upon
as having been built in rst-clasS style asserted
that miles of the road had no other ballast than
Ice and snow, which, melting in the spring, left
the rails held in suspension eight inches above the
ground. In support OF his assertion he produced
photographs OF various sections OF the road, and
commented upon them much to the amusement OF
the House. bridge, depicted by photograph,
he declared to be bumped like a camel and backed
Il
but one railroad tie, while a 25O-foot cut was
shown as being filled with logs and brush.
The bill was passed without division. 1T for
feits 3S4, 600 acreS.]
THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL TAKEN Up.
The House then went into committee of the
whole tMr. Hammond, OF Georgia. in the chair, on
the sundry civil appropriation bill.
The Nomination Of c. II. Morton.
WHAT SENATOR FRYE SAYS ABOUT 1T.
Rumors Of strong opposition from the shipping
interests TO the confirmation OF Charles B. Norton
OF Maine, as US. commissioner OF navigation, have
been in circulation for some days. 1t has been
stated that the Maine Senators were making
preparations to resist MortOns confirmation and
one Maine paper quoted ship-owner as saying
that he had been requested by Senator Frye to
persuade Arthur Sewel the extensive ship-owner
and builder, to come TO Washington to oppose
Morton. Senator Frye in conversation with a
STAR reporter to-day, said: "It is not true that
Mr. Morton. There Is some opposition 10 him
among the ship-owners and builders OF Maine. 1
know, for have received letters from some OF
them to that effect"
political opposition?" queried the reporter.
'Oh, no.. replied The Senator. 'All the ship
owners OF Maine are democrats. The opposition is
Dased upon MortOn'S supposed unfitneSS for the
place: lie has never had any experience that
would qualify him for the position which is one of
great Importance He VIII have the decision OF all
technical questions relating to shipping and
should possess familiarity with the Jaws l am
not acquainted with MIR. Morton and have no OBJ
lection TO him On political grounds. The man he
succeeds. Potter, has never been anything but q
half-hearted republican and may be a democrat
now, for aught ! know. II the ship-owners and
ship builders want Mr. Morton or are content with
him, have no objection. II is not that l want
this or that In connection with the Office except
that do want commissioner who is in favor OF
the revival OF American commerce and who will
labor to bring II about. The appointment was
surprise TO me, though suppose 1t grows out OF
the Presidents refusal to appoint Morton post
master at Augusta. The President told Inc last
session that he intended to do something for Nor
ton, but did not intimate what he would give
him"
Senator Frye added that in this matter he would
endeavOr to comply with the wishes OF his con-
sttuents; that In response to letters he had writ
ten committee OF the Senate would have to have
some grounds other than those OF a political
nature In order to recommend the rejection OF a
nomination.
Capitol Topics.
THE STRIKES INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
The special committee to investigate the strikes
in the southwest, OF which Mr. Curtin of PennSyl.