Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-15
PACIFIC RAILROAD LANDS.
Inc forfeiture Proposition Dis
cussed by the Senate.

CHSSCu b1 buC SeuaLes
WASHINGTON, June 14.-Immediately
after the routine business in the Senate
this morning Mr.. Dolph moved that the
Northern Pacific railroad forfeiture bill
be taken up.
Mr. Beck urged that the Senate take up
instead the motion entered by Mr.. Haw-
ley, providing for reconsideration OF the
Dill prohibiting members OF Congress from
accepting fees or employment from rail-
ROAD companies that have received aid
from Congress. Mr.. Beck thought this a
privileged question.
The chair did not think it privileged
questlon pending another motion. The
lOrlelture bill was taken up and Mr.. Call
LOOK the noOr and resumed his remarks in
support OF the proposition to forfeit all
lands not earned within the time pre-
scrlbed by Congress.
Mr.. Maxey held that all the government
grants of railroad lands should be for
feited that had not been earned within the
time prescribed by the granting acts.
Inc Oregon Senator's, Messrs. Dolph and
Mitchell, opposed the bill because it
would prevent the completion of the re-
naming 70 miles of the Cascade branch,
which is Of vast Importance to the people
OF the country along it's line, and because
they held it to be unjust and inequitable.
The purely legal aspect of the question of
the governments right to forfeit was dis
cussed by Messrs. Mitchell, George, Eus-
tis, Van Wyck and Coke. Speeches were
also made by Messrs. Hearst, Mcmillan
and Brown.
THE GOVERNNdENT'S INSPECTION.
Mr.. Brown said the government had
inspected this road as each % miles was
completed, and on the favorable certifi-
cate of the governments agents each sec
tion was accepted as complete according
TO contract. Whether there was legal
estoppel or not it was very clear to Mr..
Browns mind that there was an equit-
able estoppel. The government gave no
notice that it would insist on forfeiture
and the government accepted the road in
sections as completed. The 75 uncOm-
pleted miles of the Cascade grant cOnsti-
tuted the most important section of the
road, whose completion was Of the ut
most consequence to the people OF the
Northwest. MIR. George desired to speak,
but the hour being late, suggestion was
made that he defer mis- speech till to-mor-
row. A motion to go into executive ses-
sion was defeated by the Republicans
as was also motion to adjourn.
TALKING IN A HUBBUB.
mls 0COEkC Uckdu
but had not proceeded far when another
motion to 20 into executive session was
made which met the fate Of the former
motion. Several motions to adjourn were
then alternRted with motions to 60 into
executive session, all failing.
MIR. Edmnnds suggested that the Sena-
tors who prOfessed the most anxiety to
have the forfeiture bill passed seem most
determined not to come to vote on it.
Mr.. George said the criticism could not
apply to him. While proceeding with his
remarks, the Senate being in great con-
fusion, Mr.. George remarked that if the
Senators insisted on his proceeding with
his remarks at this late hour he had a
dozen law books on his desk) he thought
it due to him that the Senators should
listen to his remarks. ANY Senator who
did not wish to hear what Mr.. George had
to say could retire from the chamber.
A NEW MOTION TO ADJOURN.
After some further progress with his
argument, Mr.. George was relieved by
new motion to adjourn, which seemed to
have better prospect of success.
Mr.. Edmunds said it had been thought
by many Senator'S advisable to have a
couple OF days-Thursday and Friday
for consideration Of the short cases on
the calendar.
Mr.. Edmunds offered a resolution for
reference to the Committee on Rules, and
it was so referred, providing for change
in the rule OF the Senate so as to make it
possible to lay on the table motion to re-
consider without affecting the ques-
tion in reference to which the motion
is made. Mr.. Edmunds said that by
some inadvertance the rules now forbade
debate on a motion to reconsider, whereas,
above all chiRgs, such a motion, il made
ia good faith, ought to be open to expla-
natien.
At O'Clock, Mr.. George having the
floor on the forfeiture bill, the Senate ad-
jOurned.