The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-09-29
CONGRESSMAN NEECE.
His Record in Congress.
A Prudential. Wise and Active Cham
ricn for the Peopie--Why He
Should be Re- elected

Ut tGt ti1ftti tltnS iiph- W -
Niece, of Macomb, is before the people
of the Eleventh congressional district as
an aspirant for seat in the house OF
representatives of the national congress.
On the two previous occasions he was
successful at the polls. and the result of
the present campaign will be determined
IN the near future. He was comparative
" unknown in this end of the district at
the tine of his first nomination, but his
two terms ia congress have served to
bring him prominently before, not only
the residents Of this district, but If the
entire United States. And now that his
character and worth as man, and his
capacity and ability MS congressman Is
so well known, his candidacy creates an
enthusiasm which speaks louder than
words in bis behalf.
WHAT he HAS DONE IN CONGRESS.
No time is more suitable than the pres
ent To examine Mr. Neece's public
career. aud see if he has not So conduct-
ed himself as to merit reelection at the
hsLds of his constituents. While the
ARGUS has from time to time published
speeches, resolutions. etc, which Mr..
Neece delivered and offered IN the halls
of congress or ia committee rooms, still
it deems it its duty TO give the public a
general review of his work, and after q
careful investigation, we think that no
fairminded man will say that Mr. Niece
has not been ptlnStak'HS, Industrious
aud clear headed aud devoted his encr>
gies and powers to conscientious dis
charge OF hts official duties.
Mr. Niece was elected to congress in
November, 1882 He took his scat at
the beginning of the 18th congress on
the first Monday in December, 1888, and
Speaker Carlisle appointed him on the
committee on expenditures in the post
Office department, aud chairman of the
committee on enrolled bills This last
was quite compliment, as new Iuem>
bers rarely get Craftsmanship OF any
committee.
18TH CONGRESS-. 1ST SESSION
January Z, lSSi-Mr. Niece INTRODUCES
ed bill IA Il 1880 to declare certain
lands heretofore granted in aid of The
construction of railroads forfeited 10 the
United States for not complying with
their charters, and to open the same foI
settlement, and protecting the rights OF
any settlers thereon; where lands have
been conveyed in violation of law. or the
conveyance thereof has been procured
by fraud. to recover the same or the
value thereof; which was read IA first and
second time, referred to the committee on
public lands and ordered printed.
Mr. Neece also introduced a bill Oh Il
1880 for the relief of James W. David
son, late t. S marshal for the northern
district of Illinois, and bill I'll r. 1850
for the relief of Joseph Ii. Bayles.
Jan. 14-lntroduced bill Oh. Il 1869
granting pension to William II ker-
man; bill I'll r 1850 granting PEN
sion to Stevens W. Merrill of Illinois;
bill III. r. 1866 granting pension TO
Lieut. Washington L. Remley.
Jan. 21-Bill (H r. $500 granting a
pension to Elizabeth A Robbins. bill
III. Il. 3590) for the relief of Thomas r.
Smithers; bill Oh. r. $500 for the relief
of Sarah A Becktel
Feb. bill ca. R. 4l35) granting a
pension to Edward T. Cline; bill I'll. Il
442Q granting pension to jeremiah
Mognihan; bill III. r. 1920 To amend
the military record of Giles c. Hawley.
and TO place his name upon the pension
roll
Feb. 12 introduced a bill III, Il
1892 to authorize the construction OF "a
bridge across the Mississippi river at
Rock Island. Ill , and Davenport, Iowa,
aud TO establish it as 4 post-route.
Feb. 20--Mr. Niece introduced thC
following:
ResOlced, That the committee on en-,
rolled bills be instructed to inquire into
and report the cause Of the delay in for
warding to the president for his APPROX,
al the Joint resolution passed on the 1 It'll
inst. appropriating $4,000 for the relief
/ of sufferers from the floods of tue Ohio
river
Feb 23.-Mr. Niece introduced the
following:
WHEREAS. George d. Bowman. regis.
ter Of the land office at Las Cruces, New
Mexico, has ADVERTISED to sell on the 9Th
Il Of Eohrnartr -fnTInl ~
land situated in townships s and 49,
south of ranges ! and s west, known as
the Hot Springs Reservation. 10 ne sold
in one body, and no bid TO be received
less than $4,000; and
WHEREAS, It is represented that said
lands contain the principal watering pla
ces for probably half million of acres OF
land, and that the persons controlling the
said five sections will substantially cou-
troll all the water in that part of the coun-
try, thereby rendering the remainder of
the lands in that section worthless, it IS
represented that portion of said lands
are occupied by actual settlers, who have
made valuable improvements upon the
same, and said lands being sold in body
deprives these settlers of competing al
such sale; and
WHEREAS, 1t is believed by persons
who have good opportunities of Judging
that said lands ought not to be sold. but
reserved for health resort. and that said
waters are known to contain medical
properties; therefore be it
Resol0ed, BY the house of representa-
tives of the United States of America,
that the president of the United States be
requested to stop and discontinue said
sale, because if sold the result will be
thai said lands will fall into the hands of
large capitalists and thereby hinder the
settlement of the territory, besides do in
Justice to actual settlers.
This was one Of Mr. Neece's most i'm
Dortant acls in congress, and at the time
it attracted much attention. Dorsey,
lngersol and other republicans had con-
cOctcd scheme to steal valuable tract
of land in New Mexico, but by the exer-
tions and vigilance of Mr.. Neece their
plans were upset. He first asked Scores
tarV Of War Lincoln tn sion Tho sale lint