The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-06-11

CONGRESSIONAL.
Senate.

MAY 26.-The senate to-day took up the
bill providing for the taxation of railroad
grant lands. Senator Blair offered an
amendment, which was agreed to, proyd-
ing that in any sale of lands under the bill
the United States might become apreferred
purchaser, and that in such case the lands
might be restored to the public domain. He
also offered another amendment providing
that the valuation of the lands subjected
to taxation shall, in the territories, be sub.
Ject to q revision by the secretary OF the IN
terror.
Senator sherman asked for the suspen-
sion of the taxation bill in order to take up
the bill, heretofore reported by him from
the committee on foreign relations, sup
Elementary to and amendatOry of the CHI
nese immigration bill of 1854" Unanimous
consent being given, the Chinese bill was
taken up. Senator Sherman explained
that the bill was simply intended to ex-
plain the meaning OF the existing law rela-
tive to Chinese immigration. Several legal
questions had arisen under the existing law
as to which there had been some doubt.
For example, one meaning had been. at
tached 10 the words "Chnese laborer" by
Judge Field and another by q Massachu-
sets Judge. The committee had adopted
the Interpretation of Judge Field.
Senator Hoar expressed what he termed
his ''old protest. against the bill. Like the
act which it would amend, this bill, he said,
would hereafter be regarded as IL blotch on
our legislation. 1t was legislation aimed at
men because they were laborerS and be-
cause they belonged to certain race, which
was against the fundamental principles of
this republic. If there were Il rivalry be-
tween the two political parties for the vote
of the Pacific coast this legislation would
be regarded by all intelligent and humane
men with eXecration.
Senator ingalls, opposed the bill and crit
icised the manner in which it had been
taken up. He characterized the bill Us u
disgrace to American civilization. ii
The bill was postponed to future day
and the senate adjourned.
MAY 27.--On motion OF Mr.. Dolph the
senate took up the bill restoring to the
United States certain Of the lands granted
to the Northern Pacific Railroad Company"
posed the forfeiture of portion of the
original grant over which the Northern
Pacific did not contemplate building q line
between Wallula and Portland. Mr.. Van
Wyck thought there were other lands
some along the completed portion Of the
road-which should be included in the bill,
and he moved an amendment providing for
the forfeiture of all the Northern Pacific
Railroad grant except lands for which the
lines were completed before July a, 1879,
and except the right of way.
Mr. Call protested against the bill, argu-
ing that it was really proposition to con-
firm and not to forfeit grant of some for
ty-eight million acres of land to the North
efn racine RAILROAD Company.
Mr. Edmunds thought that the question
of forfeiting lands was one which involved
complicated points of law requiring serious
consideration, and he regretted that Mr..
Van Wyck had offered his amendment at
this time, as upon it there would be q great
difference OF opinion, while upon the bill as
it stood there would be no difference OF
opinion in congress.
After further debate an amendment of
fered by Mr.. Beck was adopted, providing
that the passage of the committee bill
should not be taken as waiver by con-
gress of the right to hereafter forfeit any
other unearned lands of the same company.
Mr.. Van Wyck then withdrew his amend
ment and offered another, which pro-
vides for the forfeiture of such portion of
the land which lies coterminouS with the
part of the main land and branches not
completed at the time of the passage of this
act. Mr.. EutS thought the bill did not
sufficiently protect the settlers on the lands.
AT o'clock the bill went over.
MAY Ex-senator Conger presented in
the Senate to-day the report of the Com
merce Committee on the Eads ship railway
|. bill. In the report the committee says that
the project Is II practical one and that tho
net annual revenue of the road will be in
excess OF the amount guaranteed by
Mexico and the United States. The opin-
ion is expressed that the aggregate amount
G,5OO,0OO) will not have to be advanced by
the government In conclusion the COM
mittee says: believing that the CONNER
cial and industrial interests of this country
will be greatly benefited by the construc-
ton of ship railway, that it will have q
tendency to largely increase our commerce
and stimulate our shipping and ship build
ing interests, and that it is essential, IL our
government would retain the respect of its
own people and OF foreign nations, that it
should now practically demonstrate its de-
termination TO forever discourage foreign
control upon this continent" The commit
tee report back the accompanying bill as
substitute for Senate bill 5S4, with the re-
commentator that 1t do pass
JUNE 1.-Senator Sherman, this after
noon, called up the supplemental Chinese
immigration bill-that which explains the
meaning of the original bills on the same
subject passed in 1862 and 1884. The bill
was passed as reported from the committee.
Mr.. Sherman also called up the bill to in
demnify the Chinese for losses incurred i'm
the. riot at Rock Springs, Wyoming. He
said that he regarded 1t as good policy,
good Christianity, and good humanity to
reimburse the injured parties. Mr.. Cock
rell and Mr.. Mitchell opposed the bill, and
Mr.. Edmunds favored 1t.
A bill introduced by Senator Beck to-day
to prohibit members of congress acting as
railroad attorneys MAKES 1t unlawful for
ont har NJ al 60.