Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-16
FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS-,
First Session,
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb


from the secretary of the interior in reply to
Mr.. Dawes recent resolution adopted bv the
Senate, which called for all information in
the interior department relating to the ap.
pointment of Henry Ward. late Indian
inspector. This is Secretary Lamar's letter
have the honor to acknow ledge the receipt
OF the Senate resolution. In reply | trans.
init all ofhclall Diapers on file in the dapart-
ment which understand to be embraced bv
the resolution. The official reports made to
this department by Henry Ward, as United
States Indian inspector, are volumnious, and
as the clerical force of this department is
limited and otherwise employed | have
deemed it best TO transmit the original re-
ports. As they are frequently consulted in
the transaction of the business of the depart
ment l have the honor to request that they
be returned to its files as soon as thev are no
longer required by the Senate. am directed
by the president to say that if the object of
the resolution is to inquire into the reason OF
the suspension Of Mr.. Ward these papers are
not to be considered as constituting all the
evidence submitted to him in relation thereto
am also directed by the president to say that
he does not deem it consistent with the public
interest to transmit copies of unofficial papers
of private citizens held in custody for him,
which relate exclusively to the suspension of
the incumbent.
L. Q c. LAMAR, Secretary.
There are 282 Enclosures The letter and
accompanying papers were referred to the
committee on Indian affairs.
Among the petitions presented were a con-
siderable number favoring woman suffrage
and the opening up of the Oklahoma
lands to settlers.
Senator Van Wyck submitted an amend
ment to the House bill to increase the pen.
sion of widows and dependent relations of
deceased soldiers and sailors and providing
that minor children shall receive S. per
month when one parent is deceased and $40
when both parents are deceased; that PEN
sionable age be extended to Is years and that
fathers and mothers only be required to prove
dependence at time of application for pen
sion; ordered printed.
Mr.. Hawley presented a bill, which was
referred to the committee on public lands,
which was referred to the committee on pub
lie lands, relating to the taxation of railroad
lands for other purposes MIR. Hawley said
that the bill related to very sore subject.
Exceedingly large quantities of land. perhaps
10000 square miles, has been granted to the
Northern Pacific Railroad Co., but it was
provided by an amendstory act of Congress
that no patents should issue for the land until
after payment by the company of all fees re-
lating to surveys, etc. The fee was about
three cents per acre. The railroad had paid
a fee on only about $4,000 acres of its i'm
mense grant. 1t had nevertheless proceed to
give to settlers warranty deeds for
millions upon millions of acres OF land
The company had ingeniously got property
enough to locate villages and cities upon its
own selected sections. These lands that the
company had conveyed by warranty deeds
had been settled and improved and in many
cases thriving villages had grown up on them,
turned out now that BY recent decision of
the supreme court o. the United States that
none of these millions of acres were taxable
The reasons of the court were irrefragable,
but Congress should Immediately provide by
law remedy for the difficulty involved.
Mr.. Copger, from the committee on post
offices, favorably reported a bill granting to
Mrs. Julia Grant franking privilege; passed.
message from the president was laid be-
fore the Senate transmitting the last annual
report of the government directors of the
Union Pacific railroad also transmitting a
letter from the secretary of the interior with
a draft of bill providing for the sale of the
Sac and Fox Indian reservation in Nebraska
and Kansas; appropriately referred.
Mr. Morgan then resumed his argument
against the consritutionality of the pending
educational bill.
On conclusion Of Mr.. Morgan's speech
Mr. Jackson took the floor, but yielded to a
motion to go into executive session, and in
Is minutes thereafter the doors reopened and
the Senate adjourned.
Under the call of States the following bills
etc. were introduced and referred:
By Mr.. Morrison of Illinois-To reduce
tariff taxes.
BY Mr. FELTON, of California terminate
certain treaty stipulatons between the gov.
eruments OF the United States and the EN-
pre of China, and to prohibit the immigra-
ton of the Chinese.
By Mr.. Henley of California-A bill to the
same effect.
By Mr. Hanback, of Kansas-The following
Preamble and resosuton:
Whereas. Grave charges have been made
and are constantly being made by the leading
pres. of the country rejecting on the integ-
rity and official action of certain officers OF
the government of the United States,
Resolved, That a special cammittee con.
sisting of eleven members of the House be
appointed to inquire into the expenditure in
rights of the Bell and Pan Electric telephone
companies to the priority of patents, said in
quiry TO include all organizations or compa
nies that have sprung out of the Pan Electric
Telephone Co. or for any other purpose, anc
also to make inquiry into the issuance of the
stock known as "Pan Electric Telephon,
Stock" or any other stock of any other com
pany or companies, organizations, or the
spunging out of the Pan Electric Telephone
Co. to any person or persons connected with
either the legislative, judicial or executive
departments of the government of tht
United States; to whom, when, where and il
what amount, and for what consideration il
monev or influence said stock was delivered
also, as to what opinion, decision and orders
have been made by any officers connectec
with the government, and by whom, and al
circumstances connected Herewith and aris
ing therefrom, and, also. what suit or suits, i
any, have been brought in the name of th'
United states to test the validity of the pa
tents issued, or any other right in controvers,
between the Bell and Pan Electric telephon,
companies; what contracts have been made
what moneys paid or to be paid to any per
SON or persons As assistent counsel to tn,
attorney general or solicitor general Of th,
| United States, the reason or authority TO