The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-06-25
NGRESSIONA

tbs assaulted the railroad and Mr..
Sherman defended it. Mr.. George com.
mented generally on the enormous quaint.
ty OF lard-17O,00Q, 900 a~crcs-given by
congress to the various railroad
tons from 1860 to 1875. 1t was a
larger area OF land than France or Ger
many. The present value of the railroad
grants. at the average price already
realized by the companies, a S773, 1856.
1913. The Northern Pacific had
come to congress assuring it that the COM
pany had the power to build it's road with
out mortgage or incumbrance OF any sort.
Should senators go on and by a criminal
neglect OF their duties allow this company
to become the owner OF an area OF land
equal to two states? He protested against
any faithlessness on the part OF congress.
He made this protest Oh behalf Of the mill
ions OF homeless people OF the United
States.
HousE.-A senate bill similar to the one
introduced in the house by Mr.. O'Neill MOL
was passed to legalize the incorporation OF
trade unions.
Mr.. Allen (Miss.) offered an amendment
to an appropriation bill providing that
none OF the money appropriated for the
contingent funds should be used in nav vino
the expenses OF The funeral OF any mem,
Der OF congress.
SENATE.-Mr. Whitthorne spoke in favor
OF Mr.. Frye's bill Ito promote political
progress and commercial prosperity OF the
American nations" He made an eloquent
and forcible argument to the effect that it
was the duty of every American to sup
port the policy sought to be inaugurated
by the bin, supporting his position by the
free useo OF statistics. Closer relations with
the South American countries, he said,
should be cultivated. The army appro-
priation bill was passed precisely as re-
ported from the senate COMMITTEES. The
following bills also passed:
Authorizing the removal OF the Southern
ndian in Colorado to Utah; defining the
service OF a stevedore to be maritime service
and esta blishing II lien in favor OF such
service; authorizing vsssels engaged in tow
ing to carry as many passengers as the
supervising inspector may think n~ccessary.
HousE.-The debate on the civil service
provision OF the legislative bill was con-
cluded, and the chairman ruled the provis-
ion out of order. A motion to strike out
the appreciation for the civil service com
mission was lost-1S to rs.
SENATE.-The Northern Pacific forfeiture
bill was taken up, and Mr.. Call concluded
his remarks in support OF the proposition
to forfeit all lands not earned within the
time prescribed by congress. Mr.. Mitchell
(Or.) offered an amendment to exclude
from forfeiture the lands coterminous with
the completed portion OF the Cascade
branch. He said:
II the company could not complete the
Cascade branch the farmers and producers
OF the Pacific Northwest would have to re-
main at the mercy OF the Oregon Railway
and Navigation company. Mr.. Mitchell
discussed the purely legal aspect OF the
question OF the right OF thu government to
forfeit.
Mr.. Mcmillan OF Minnesota said:
He II vote against the amendment OF
Mr.. Van Wyck, for the reasons stated by Mr..
Sherman md others. He (McMillnn) said
be doing a great injustice to the people OF
Washington Territory. The matter went
over.
Senator Mitchell Of Oregon introduced q
joint resolution directing the secretary OF
the navy to appoint a commission ofthree
competent officers to examine the coast
north OF the AID parallel OF north latitude
in Oregon and Washington Territory and
Alaska, and select a suitable site for i navy
yard.
HousE.-A large number OF bills OF nc
particular interest were introduced and the
other proceedings were unimportant.
SENATE:-The senate passed the senate
bill providing for the forfeiture OF all the
lands lying adjacent to the Northern Pa
cifc road, from Wallula Junction to Port
land, PA miles, and all lands co-extensive
with that portion Of the Cascade branches
yet unfinished, about fifteen miles. Forty
senator's voted in the affirmative and only
one-Mr. Blair-in the negative. Van
Wyck's amend ment adding the lands ada
cent to the unfinished portions OF the Cas-
cade branch adopted.
The bill forfeits about three million acres.
1t alsO nrnyjIpS fnr a ra,,aal ,f H. ,,,k.r
OF the granting act whereby the right OF
way OF the road is to 60 untaxed in the
territories. 1t declares forfeited so much
OF the lands granted to that company as
are c%oterminus with that part OF its main
line which extends from Wallula Junction
to Portland, and that part OF the Cascade
branch which shall not have been complet-
ed ut the date OF the passage OF this bill.
and makes the right OF way in the terri
tories subject to taxation. Where persons
are now in possession OF the lands forfeit
ed by the bill, undo deeds acquired from
the railroad company, they shall have the
right to purchase the lands from the United
States in quantities not exceeding 800 acres
for $3.50 an acre. Nothing in the act is to
be construed to waive any right I, the
United States to forfeit any other lands
granted to them for failure, past or future,
to comply with the conditions Of 1.-THE grant.
W. NUN tlc COtlIllJLGG on
territories, reported iavorably the house
and senate bills prohibiting special legisla-
ton by the legislatures upon u very large
number of subjects. In all cases where
IL law can be made applicable, no
special laws shall be enacted in
amy OF the territories. The provisions OF
the senate and house bills are Incorporated
together and cover the above ground. Sen
ator Harrison appends an extended report
an fIn nri1o ~ .,,.,,1 -
nishes letters from the governors Of several
territories showin.local and county indebt.
edness oil an extensive character as one OF
the bad effects OF the liberal passage bv tcl.
ritorial legislatures OF local laws.
HousE.-The legislative, executive ara
judicial appropriation bill was proceeded
with. During the discussion the probability
OF Il large deficiency the coming year was
referred to. A motion to strike out the
appropriation for employees OF the land
department. engaged in hunting up fraudu.
lent and entries was rejected.
Mr.. Springer defended COMMISSIONS
Sparks i'll issuing the order suspcnding final
action en- certain land entries, and main
tanned:
Inc comrnlssioncr was fully warranted in
making the order. The Information upon
which 1T was based was derived from the
agents OF the interior department appoint
ed by the previous secretary. OF the
interior. Republicans had made the re.
ports containing the Information, and not
the hirelings OF the Democratic party. The
fraudulent appropriation OF the public do.
main was so widespread that there was
but one way to meet it, and that was to
suspend final actionu t it could be found
that the land laws had been complied with.
In making his order the commissioner had
saved thousands OF acres from spoliation
and fraudulent entry. For doing this he
shonld receive the thanks OF the people who
desired the public lands to be held for the
homes OF honest settlers.
SENArE.-The senate passed the pension
and military academy appropriation bills,
which disposed off all the bills OF this charac.
ter received from the house.
The house bill repeating the presumption
timber culture and desert land act was taken