Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-01-15
The Various Nominations Made
and Confirmed.
Northern Dakota is Holding a
Big Convention at Fargo.
Exciting Times are Occurring
i'll the Ohio Legislature.
The General Washington News.

The General Washington News.
PROMULGATED AN IMPORTANT DECISION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. leland Com
missioner Sparks to-day promulgated
an important decision affecting the
claims OF the Pacific railroad COM
pany to grant of land between a
point on the Columbia river, near
Portland. Oregon, and Tacoma on
Puget Sound, IN Washington terri.
tory. Commissioner Sparks said the
road between these two points was
authorized by a joint resolution of
congress in 1869 without land grant
The original act of 1864 provided for
main line of road across the
Cascade mountains to Puget
Sound, and a branch from
point not more than 800 miles east
of the western terminus, passing
down the Columbia river 10 a point
at or near Portland, but made no
provision for the road or grant
between Portland and Puget Sound.
The railroad company lay to grant
for this portion of the road uGdcr a
joint resolution of congress in 1870,
which provided that the company
might construct main line down the
Columbia river, and its branch across
the Cascades, with the same grants as
provided for by the original act of
incorporation.
Sparks holds that no grant was
made by the original act for the CON
structiug of the road from Portland TO
Tacoma, and none by the act of 1864
No such grant can be presumptively
drawn from the joint resolution of
1870. He holds that no such grant
was made by any of the acts of con-
gress and says he does not find that
any formal decision has ever been
made by the interior department, hold
ing that the joint resolution of 1870
embraced a grant of the lands between
said points, although Withdrawals ap-
pear to have been ordered upon the
fiting by the company of its maps.
The commissioner says nosTeasons for
such Withdrawals have been assigned
so far as the records of the land office
disclose.
This decision effects the odd mum
bered sections of land eighty miles in
width for distance of 106 miles, ag
gregating some two and a half mil
lion acres, at an estimated worth of
$25, COS, GOO. The claim Of the railroad
company TO these lands has long been
disputed by the settlers, large num-
bers of whom are in occupation, claim
ing the right to enter under the public
land laws.
The case of Donald McRae and J.
S. Book versus the Northern Pacific
Railroad company brought out the
decision.
THE CABINET MEETING.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-The cabinet
meeting to-day was attended by all
the members except Secretary Endi-
colt, who is out of the city. The ses-
sion was unusually long, lasting
about three and one-half hours. 1t
was mainly devoted to the policy to
be adopted by the administration
with respect TO applications made
by certain committees of the senate
for information in regard to.changes
made III certain federal offices during
the recent recess Of congress. A gen
eral interchange of views was had on
this subject, but so far as can be
learned no decided action was taken.
the matter OF appointments IN the
lighthouse service was also subject
for discussion on the general question
as to whether the secretar. of the
treasury is vested with legal authority
to make original appointments in that
service, or whether his legal function
in such appointments is not confined
to the confirmation or rejection of
nominations made by the light house
board. The matter will probably be
referred TO the attorney general for an
opinion.
REPORTED FAvORABLY sen. DAVIES
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-The senate
committee On Indian affairs TO day
reported favorably Sen. Davies bill 10
divide portion of the reservation of
the Sioux nation Of Indians IN Da-
kota into a separate reservation and
to secure a REIMBURSEMENT of them TO
the remainder.
THEY WANT THE INDIANS PUNISHED FOR
CRIME.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12-The presi-
dent to-day transmitted TO the senate
letters from the secretary OF the in-
terror and the commissioner OF the
land office transmitting draft of
bill intended to amend the act Of
March 8, 1885, relating to the trial
and punishment Of Indians for muir
der, arson, rape, larceny and other
crimes. The commissioner says he
does not concur with those who
believe that Indians should not be
punished for a crime the same as
white men, and says ne believes the
law is step in the right direction,
but thinks that the expenses attend
ing the arrest, conviction and punish
ment OF Indians who bear no portion
of the public burdens shoald ba de-
frayed by the general government
and not BY the people of the terrific
ries. He says the Indians are not at
presest tried fer offenses committed
against each other, because the terri
tories refuse to bear the expense.
BILL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
NEW BUREAU.
WASHINGTON, Jan. R.-Among the
bills introduced In the senate to-day
was one by Wilson, of Iowa, for the
establishment of a bureau OF public
documents in tbs interior depart
ment.
THE SENATE N EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE senate
In executive session to-day, after con-
firming about 200 nominations as fast