National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-24
WORK OF TIE COMMITTEES.



terday.
The bill TO confirm entries of lands here
tofore made under the land laws of the
United States, reported to the Senate by
Senator Van Wyck from the committee on
public lands provides that any entry here
tofore made in conformity with the rules,
regulations, and decisions of the general
land Office at the time shall be adludgod In
the same manner as II said rules, regula-
tons, and decisions had not been reversed
or modified; provided that such entry must
have been made In good faith, aud no
charges of fraud have been made against the
same. The report of the committee on this
bill embodies letter to Senator Van Wyck
from Commissioner Sparks, in which the
writer says:
lave the honor. to inform you tina, the
principle of the bill Is we'll recognized in the
practice and decisions of this Office and de-
partment II has frequently happened in the
history Of the land department that rulings
upon various points have from time to time
been changed, and that entries which have
been deemed permissible at one period have
been deemed not permissible at another
period, ana in the same manner entries dis.
allowed at one time have been considered al.
lowable at another time. In such cases, how.
ever, the general rule OF this Office and depart.
ment has been that change Of ruling does
under previous rulings.
do not suppose that II Is intended by the
bill presented to confirm entries not made In
good faith nor those wherein the laws have
not been complied with, but simply to declare
valid such rs may have been properly allowed
under rulings and decisions as they existed Mt
the time the entry was made, leaving the I'D
Indication of all other questions to the usual
course procedure under the laws.
Senator Van Wyck says the purpose of
the bill is to quiet the apprehensions of set
tiers who fear that some Of the rulings OF
Commissioner Sparks may have the effect
OF canceling claims which were taken I'm
good faith under the laws as interpreted by
former commissioners. lie proposes, there
fore, to crystalline certain well.recognized
principles OF practice into statute.
Mr.. Dolph, from the committee on pub
lie lands, reported resolution calling on
the Secretary Of the Interior for full in
formation concerning the selection, survey
ing, and patenting Of the lands given In
aid OF the construction of the Northern
Pacific railroad.
The resolution was agreed to.
NY HOUSE COMMITTEES.
Mr. Buchanan, of New Jersey, from the
committee on claims, reported bill for the
relief Of the survivors of the explo ing
steamer Jeanette and the widows and,chll-
dren of those who persisted In the eXpedi-
Mr. Ellsberry, Of Ohio, from the commit
tee ON invalid pensions, reported to the
House bill granting pensions to all in
valid soldiers or their widows or children
who are dependent on their daily labor for
support. Committee of the whole.
Mr.. Weber, of New York, from the com
mittee on railways and canals. reported a
bill for the permanent improvement of the
Erie and Oswego canals and to secure the
freedom of the same to the commerce of
the United States. Committee OF the whole.
Mr.. Jones, Of Texas, from the committee
on postoflices and postroads, reported q bill
authorizing the payment of postal notes ut
any. money order office. House calendar.
Mr.. Tucker, Of Virginia, from the COM
mittee on the judiciary, reported a bill
providing that no person shall be held to
answer for any crime whereof the punish
ment may be loss of life or liberty except
on presentment or indictment OF grand
jury, except in cases arising in land or
naval forces, or in the militia, when in
actual service in time of war or public dan
| ger. House calendar.
The House committee on Indian affairs
has decided to make reports to the House
on all bills granting to particular railroad
| companies right OF way through the Indian
territory Notwithstanding the fact that a
general bill on the subject has been favor
ably reported to the House. This action
was taken because members of the com.
mttee were of the opinion that some of the
| special bills might be acted upon by the
House when general bill on the subject
would not secure hearing. The first Of
these bills, granting right of way to the
Denison and Wichita Railroad Company
was to-day ordered to. be favorabiy re
orted. The committee on public land
has agreed to report fayorably the bill for
feiting the land grant Of the Ontogagon ant
State Line Railroad Company in Michigan.
A MAN Is wiser for his learning, and the
sooner he learns that the only proper way Il
cure cough or cold Is to use DR.. Bulls Cough
| SNrln. the hnlInr he Is off