Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-03-16
Voorhees, at Work.
SYNOPSIS OF THE BILLS HE HAS INTRO
DUCED AT THE PRESENT SESSION OF
CONGRESS-TWENTY-O BILLS AND
ONE JOINT RESOLUTION.

We are indebted to that excellent
Democratic journal, the Commoner,
for the following synopsis of each bill
presented by Hon. C. S. Voorhees, in
the House of Representatives
A bill to annex a portion OF the
Territory of Idaho to Washington
Territory. The bill provides for the
annexation OF all that portion Of
Idaho north of the following boundary
line: Commencing at point in the
middle of the main channel of Snake
river due west of the northwest cor
ner of Washington county, Idaho !;
thence southeasterly along the boun-
dry line between Washington and
Idaho counties to the 45th parallel of
latitude; thence east along said paral-
lei line to the west line of Lemhi
county to the crest of the Bitter Root
range of mountains. With provisions
relative to the bonded indebtedness of
Idaho, the payment of which p-opor-
ton the people of the annexed dis
trict are not released; to cost of pris-
oners and insane; to elections etc.
A bill to relieve from reservation
certain lands heretofore, withdrawn
for railroad purposes. Opening such
lands for public entry rs is held by
railroad companies who have failed to
comply with the requirements named
in their granting act.
A bill to declare forfeited certain
lands granted to aid in the construc-
ton of the Northern Pacific railroad,
and for other purposes. Forfeiting all
lands granted to the above company,
except for that portion of the road
which was completed before July 4,
1877, with protection to innocent
purchasers of the railroad company.
A bill to provide for the formation
and admission into the Union of the
States of Washington, Dakota, Mon
tana and New Mexico. Provision in
this bill is made for the annexation of
North Idaho, by extending the bound
aries as described in the bill for an
nexation.
A bill to provide for the formation
and admission into the Union OF the
State of Washington. Also includes
North idaho.
A bill for the relief OF settlers within
the limits Of railroad land grants. Pro-
vides that in all cases in which en-
tries, filings, or applications have here
tofore been made and offered at Uni
ted States land offices for any tract of
lard which, by reason of the charac-
ter of the land or of settlement or
other claim thereto recorded or prov
en-, and existing at date of the grant
or at date Of the definite location OF
the line of the road, was not granted,
or was excepted out of any grant to
any State or corporation to aid in the
construction of any railroad, wagon
road, or canal, and such claim has
been rejected, or such entry, filing, or
application cancelled or refused by the
officers of the land department, and
the legal title to the land still remains
in the government, such former re-
lection, cancellation or refusal shall
not be held or deemed bar to legal
and just adjudication of any present
or future claim to any such tract, nor
to the maintenance of public rights
and interests in respect to such land,
it being the true intent and purpose
Of this act to declare that public lands
of the United States shall be legally
and properly disposed of under exist
ing laws, Notwithstanding any former
denial of the legal right of citizens by
erroneous rulings, decisions, or orders
of any officers of the land department.
A bill for the reduction of all agri-
cultural lands within the limits Of the
grant of lands to the Northern Pacific
railroad company, TO the minimum
price of one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre. Provides for the re-
funding of amounts already paid in
excess of 81 % per acre, under provi-
sions.
A bill authorizing Registers and Re
ceivers of United States Land Offices
to enforce the attendance of witnesses
in their respective districts.
A bill for the protection of settlers
and others upon certain Of the public
lands OF the United States. Provides
that where any person has purchased
lands from railroad companies, which
lands afterwards reverted to the gov
ernmcnt, the party SO purchasing said
lands, his heirs or assigns, shall have
the right to the lands SO purchased to
the extent of $40 acres, upon making
proof OF the fact of such purpose be-
fore the register of the local land Of
flee of the district where said land
may be located; and the Attorney
General OF the United States directed
to commence and prosecute suits
against such company to recover the
value of such lands so transferred;
and the sums of money So collected
shall be paid into the treasury of the
United States.
A bill permitting all persons who
have lost their homestead rights, in