Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-02-27

fend against suits to cancel or amend letters
patent Issued to United States citiz IDS on ac-
count OF inventions or discoveries, reported q
resolution, which was adopted, requesting the
committee Oh judiciary to answer the question
by resolution, and advise the House &c 10 the
present state OF the NV on the subject, and to
repost any amendments thereto which may be
deemed needful.
The bill TO authorize the organization of q
regiment Of volunteer cavalry in New Mexico
was reported fsvorably and referred TO COM
| mittee OF the whole.
The committee on coinage reported adverse
ly on the Bland silver bill. Mr.. Bland will
make a minority report.
The bill to pension railway postal clerks and
other employees in the postal service was re-
ported adversely.
The House went into committee OF the
whole on the Fitz John Porter bill. After de-
bste the committee rose and the House a6-
j0urRed.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE bill 70 give the
widow OF Gen. Grant the ranking privilege
was reported and placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Murphy reported the bill providing for
the acceptance by the United States OF the ILL
NOS and Michigan canal. Placed on the cal
endar.
The bills to reduce the charge on money or
ders from eight to five cents, on sums not ex-
ceeding IS, and TO make allowance for clerk
hire In first and second class postofice and for
clerical labor In the money order department
were passed.
The bill to protect bomesteads In railway
limits was passed. 1t provides that all such
settlers restricted 10 less than 1870 acres, who
..lv "a ~ 4
and July, 1879, shall be entitled 10 have lands
conveyed by addit.anal entry without any
further cost or proof Of settlement or cultiva-
ton.
Pending discussion OF the bill for the for
feiture OF the Atlantic and Pacific land graut,
the House went into committee OF the whole
on the Fitz John Porter bill. and Mr.. Laird
delivered n speech In support Of the bill.
Mr.. Thomas opposed the bill, believing ii o
be unconstitutional aid an insult TO the LIVING
and al outrage upon the dead.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s.-The bill TO compe !
land grant railroad companies to refund to
the United States money paid for surveying
their lands by the government was reported by
Mr.. Crisp and placed on the House calendar.
The consideration Of the bill for thu forfeit
ure Of the Pacific and Atlantic land grant WIS
discussed but no action taken.
The Fttz John Porter bill was then consider
CO IN committee OF the whole. Mr.. Bragg
spoke In favor Of the bill. Mr. Eyerhart
moved TO reconmit the bill with Instructions
70 amend by inserting a provision that "Fi.s
John Porter shall receive no pay or compensa-
ton whatever" The motion WAS lost. Yeas
liz Nays l73.
After n wordy TsrfGre between Gen. Bragg
and Mr.. Cutcheon, ~ Michigan. az 10 the ac-
curacy OF Mr.. Cu3chcOu's statement % the
casualties at the second battle OF Bull Run,
the bill passed by Yeas III; Maya ll3.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Mr. Kelly renewed
his request 20 have printed III the Cougres-
sional Record a review Of the testimony In tho
Fitz John Porter case.
Mr.. Bragg objected, as the battle was over
and he was IN favor OF d general amnesty.
The request was granted.
Mr.. Hewitt called up the Joint resolution
rendering the thanks OF Congress TO Joseph
Francis, for the construction OF life. saving ap-
~plisnces, and authorizing the President 10
have prepared a gold medal TO be presented to
Mrs. Francis. Passed.
The House then went into committee OF the
whole on the privat1 calendar.
Mr.. Scott then addressed the committee on
the oliver question. He defended the fnan-
cial policy OF the administration and thought
the coinage OF silver was OF doubtful advan-
tege.
MIR. Bland asked consent to make the free
silver coinage oil the special order for Tues
day next. Mr.. Steele objected. 50 the re-
quest was not granted.
An evening session las held at which forty
four pension bills were passed, and then the
House adjourned.