The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-28
THE PORTY-NINTH CONGRESS
The Senate Devotes the Time to Dis
cussing FORGETTING of Land Grants.
The House Considers the Fishery Dispute, and
Has Good Deal of Fun in Connection
with the 0leomargarine Tax Bill.
Debate on Land Grant Forfeitures-Euiogiz-
ing the Late Senator HITLER.

WASHINGTON, May, IA resoiuuou was ol-
ssred by Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa. which was or
aered to lie over one day providing for an in
vestigation of the matter of the appointment of
Indian traders by the Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs. A preamble to the resolution recites
that, in the matter of such appointments, it is
stated that acts have been done. or permitted
TO be done, in disregard of law and the rights
and proper interests of citizens"
On motion of DR. Dolph the Senate took ND
she bill restoring to the United States certain
Of the lands granted to the Northern Pacific Rail
road Company
Mr.. Van Wyck said the bill proposed to forfeit,
from Wallulla to Portland, a portion of the orig
lnal grant over which the Northern Pacific did
not now contemplate building line. Mr.. Van
Wyck's objections to the bill were that there
we're lands along other unfinished portions of the
road and some along portions that had been fin
ashed, which should be included in tho bill. The
bill, as it stood, he said, ii passed, would be
legislative declaration that the matter Of for
FIXTURE had been passed on by Congress, and that
no other forfeiture proceedings could be under
taken He moved an amendment to the com
mittee's BILL which amendment provides for the
forfeiture of all the Northern Pacific railroad
grant expect lands for which the lines were COM
Of way.
Mr. Call said that the committee bill was real
~ q proposition to confirm and not to forfeit a
grant of some 4s, 600, 900 acres of land to the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company. It was
equivalent to gift by Congress of $500. 900 or
1000 to few individuals. He protested
against it
Mr. Edmunds expressed his regret that Mr..
Van Wyck had moved his amendment at this
time. The bill as il stood, he said forfeited GER
hmf lam Ia Tn WI IA
ence of opinion in Congress. while the amend
Enent of the Senator from Nebraska involved
the forfeiture Of some lands as to which there
was and would be great difference of opinion on
che point whether Congress- had the right to for
felt The question of FORGETTING lands attaching
30 any portion of the now completed line, sim
ply on the ground that the line had not been
completed within the time limited by the grant
Ing act was a mooted and disputed question.
both as to the right of Congress in the premises
under the decisions OF the Supreme Court and
Rs to the morality and justice of forfeiture. 1t
was question involving complicated points OF
law. and requiring serious consideration.
Mr. Cockrell would 60 as far as any one in the
matter of FORGETTING unearued railroad lands;
bat there was such thing as zeal according
TO knowledge and zeal that defeated its object.
Forfeiture bills had been SO much complicated
In Congress that very few of them had been
able to get through. He was, therefore, in favor
OF keeping such bills confined as far as possible
60 such provisions of forfeiture as would be sure
10 meet with support in Congress and become
lew.
he passage of the committee bill should not tie
AIKEN as waiver by Congress of the right to
orfeit any other unearned lands of the same
ompany hereafter, if -Congress should see proper
forfeit such lands. The amendment was
greed to-
Mr.. Van Wyck withdrew his amendment and
ffered, instead one providing for the forfeiture
fsuch portions OF the land as were coterminus
><ekth- part of the main line and branches not
eomrleted at the time of the passage Of this act
Mr.. Edmunds understood that the company
was now building an important branch which
was not finished.
Mr. Dolph explained the important and far
reaching movements Of the British government
for the development of it's commerce the Pa
eifc He also explained the efforts of the North
ern Pacific railroad to connect the Northwest
with the Pacific coast. He did not think Con-
eress should, in the light of such facts, propose
TO stop the building Of any railroad line that
would assist in the development of the great in
dustries on the Pacific
Mr.. Mitchell said the proposition vas to pro-
8eet settlers.
Mr.. Eustis said that was matter Of opinion.
There was a prevalent opinion, he said, that this
great government legislated in the interest of
these great corporations at the sacrifice of the
poor and honest settler. He would never vote
for bill to confirm grant or land that did not
protect the interests of the settlers.
The hour of o'clock arriving, the bill went
over.
Mr.. Miller submitted the conference report on
the bill 'abolishng certain acts in connection
with American shipping"
This the bill containing the Frye amendment
authorizing the President to deny by proclalna
Zion, to vessels of foreign countries, such priv-
leges as are denied to American vessels in such
foreign countries.
The report WAS concurrsd in.
Mr. Miller explained that the bill, as agreed to
1,c<or ;o11x
by the Senate.
Mr.. Stanford then called up the resolutions in
Produced by him expressing the sorrow of the
Senate at the death of the late Senator John T.
Miller, of California
The resolutions having been read. Mr.. Stan
ford addressed the Senate. In feeling terms
Mr.. Stanford outlined the life of Mr. Miller
through the varied phases of his career as stu
dent lawyer, citizen. soldier and Sen
the war; Mr.. Stanford said: mir. Miller was
one of the first to respond in behalf
Of the Union at the breaking out of the Rebellion
Governor Morton, the great war Governor of In
diana, appointed him Colonel of the Twenty
ninth Indiana Infantry, and he resigned his seat
IN the Legislature of the State. Few men were
better fitted for a soldiers career than was John
II. Miller. He had cool head great personal
Bravery and indomiiable energy, as well as the
other traits that go ~ make up successful SOL
der. As the conflict progressed, deserved pro-
motion for conspicuous bravery was given him.
and the close of the war found him brigadier
and brevet major general. On his return to In
diana. Governor Morton presented him with
sword which he had promised the soldier of the
State who distinguished himself the most and
reflected the greatest credit on his State and
country When the sound of the conflict had
passed away, General Miller offered
mission colonel in the regular army. but he
aecined It. He was a soldier only because there
was q war. and preferred to return to the more
active, and to him. more desirable competition
Of civil and social life"
In his concluding remarks, Mr.. Stanford said
General Millers life was success. The work
he undertook he did we'll, whether in camp or in
Congress. He gained commentator on every
side and in every duty in which he walked His
persuasive eloquence, earnest able and logical
reasoning was recognized in this chamber He
took active interest in everything that looked
60 the welfare Of his State. his party and his
eountry He a progressive man and warm
friend. In nnlitics he was a RepnbLican and a