The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-09
THE FIFrIErH CONGRESS.
The Senate Spends the Day I'm Discussing the
Land-G Grant Forfeiture Bill.

-uu--
The Senate spends tn. Day In DiscussinE the
Land-Grant Forfeiture Bill.
wAsHrSeroS, May Sin the Senate rssolu-
tlons calling for detailed statements a. &c re-
movals and appointments in the Baltimore Gus
tom house and postofsce since the 4th Of March.
1855. were agreed to-
Mr.. Hoar presented . memorial of the New
England Conference Of the Methodist. Episcopal
Church protesting against the ratification Of the
Chinese treaty that precludes Chinese ministers
of the government, or Chinese delegates to re-
ligious conventions. coming into the country.
transferring 1t as utterly un-AmericAn and un-
Christian. Mr.. Hoar said until there could be an
appeal from the American people drunk 20 the
American people sober the matter might be con-
sidered settled. He therefore asked that the
memorial b laid on the table. So ordered.
A bill was reported to authorize the construc-
ton OF railroad bridges across the Kentucky
river and its tributaries Placed on the calendar.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
railroad Immigrant forfeiture bill, the question
being on an amendment offered yesterday by
Mr.. Palmer to one offered by Mr.. Spooner on
the Both Of April.
Mr.. Dolph moved 10 lay on the gtable Mr..
Palmer's amendment 70 Mr.. Spooners amend
ment being that nothing in the act should be
construed to confirm any private entry for land
heretofore settled upon and now claimed under
color Of the homestead or presumption laws but
that in all szch cases the Commissioner of the
General Land Office and the Secretary Of the In
terror shall hear and determine the claims of the
parties. respectively, according to the provisions
Of existing law. The amendment was laid on
the table--yeas q. nays Is
Mr.. Berry moved to lay on the table the
amendment offered by Mr.. Spooner. that the
provisions confirming the title Of all persons
holding or claiming land In the State Of Michi-
gan, disposed Of by the proper officers OF the
United States under the public land laws. pro-
vided that the Secretary OF the Interior shall be
without fraud and in the belief that the pur-
ehassrs were obtaining valid title, shall not be
construed as confirming any sales or entries OF
land upon which there were bona fde pre-emp-
ton or homestead claims on the LIST Of May.
1889 The motion to lay on the table was de-
fsated-yeas IL, nays %; and amendment was
agreed to--yeas %. nays Is.
Mr.. Palmer offered an amendment that moth
ing in the bill should be construed az excluding
from forfeiture that portion of the grant con-
ferred by the State of Michigan on the Mar
qustte g Ontonagon Railroad Company, lying
west of Lansing.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to recommit the bill to
the committee on public lands, with instructions
to report it back amended as soon as might be.
He wished the committee to reframe it so as to
keep 1t within the definite decisions OF the Su-
prsme Court to protect every real right Of every
citizen. and to wind MP every unsxeeuted rail-
The motion to recommit was opposed by Sena-
tors Blair and Dolph. and was defeated, only
nine Senators voting for it.
The question was then taken on Mr.. Pamer's
amendment and it was agreed to-yeas "a.
Mr. Palmer then moved an amendment to
patent lands earned by the part construction of
the Ontonagon s. Brule River railroad. Re-
jscted.
Mr. Hoar offered an amendment affsc citing the
lands in Michigan. and was asked by Mr.. Berry
whether the effect of it would not be to confirm
the lands held by the Portage Ship-canal Com
pany.
IL it should turn out that the land was conveyed
to the canal company BY an officer of the uited
States He was at q loss to conceive how any
man bora with . capacity for . sense of justice
could refuse to confirm title under such cir
To this Mr. Berry retorted that he was at a
loss to conceive how anyone born with o sense
Of justice aud right would undertake to confirm
q title founded in fraud, as this title was shown
to be by the report Of the House committee on
public lands in the Fortieth Congress
Mr.. Hoar referred to the statement made the
other day by Mr.. Dolph. that that report had
been written BY Mr.. RedinRton. the senior Nom
Der OF . law firm in Washington. And IL was
this man. he said, who prompted the attacks
upon the canal company. Il was a burning
shame he said, degrading to the character Of
the Senate that when citizens came before it
with such claim it should turn its back upon
them on account of demaeoeue cries, especially
when the creators of the fraud were sitting ia
the gallery and inspiring the attacks Mr..
Hoar further said that the Governor of Michigan
made release Of the lands in question to the
canal company; that it has complied with all
the conditions Of the grant, and the Governor
so certified The sole effect Of his amendment
he said. was to secure these lands to the canal
company
Mr.. Palmer argued against Mr.. Hosr's amend
ment,
Mr.. Stoekbridge asserted, on his own personal
knowledge and in contradiction of statements
by his colleague, that the canal in question was
completed and had been In successful operation
for the last sixteen or seventeen years.
The bill went over without action on Mr..
Hoars amendment, and with an understanding
that 1t would be taken up tomorrow At the cor
illusion Of the morning business.
The message from the President on the sub
ject Of the impressment into the French armyof
John Prussia. an American citizen, was laid be-
fore the Senate and referred to the COM
mitree on foreign relations, Mr.. Stewart, who
offered the resolution calling for the correspond
ence. remarking that the man had been dis
charged from the French army since the resolu-
ton was offered.
Mr.. Paddock introduced bill to amend the
act to encourage the growth Of timber the
Western prairiss Referred.
The Senate then adjourned