National Republican., 1888-01-25

lutior, contendlng that the property was
not worth the sum appropriated for Its pur-
chase. He stated that, owing to the changes
In the currents Of the Rio Grande, there was
q danger that the reservation would become
the property OF Mexico under the terms OF
the treaty Of Guadeloupe. Therefore, II
the government purchased the property, It
would have to make large appropriations to
keep the reservation within the United
States.
Mr.. Grain, OF Texas, opposed the resolu-
tion, and commented upon the fact that Its
author (Mr. Holman) and the gentleman
who reported 1t from the committee Mr..
Townshend) had been members OF the com.
mlttee on appropriations which bad recon.
mendtd the appropriation Of 100000. He
would not make any objection to the pro-
posed investigation In regard to the price
which should be paid for the property; but
he did oppose, emphatically, the inquiry
into the necessity for the continuance OF
the Fort Brown reservation. Such an In
Quiry would be useless. The committee
would have to apply for information to the
military authorities, and he had IN his pos.
session letter from Gen. Sheridan giving
the opinion that a garrison should be re.
tained at Fort Brown, and one from Gen.
Stanley, commanding the department Of
Texas, declaring the retention OF the post
at Fort Brown an absolute necessity.
After further discussion Mr.. Grain offered
an amendment striking out the clause ex.
tending the inquiry to the necessity for a
military post at Fort Brown. The amend
ment was lost and the resolution was
adopted.
Mr.. Breckinrdge, Of Arkansas, intro
duced a bill to authorize the consolidation
Of customs collection districts In certain
cases. Referred.
1T authorizes the President to dlscon-
tinue any customs district where the reve.
nues do not equal the expenses, and ap.
point deputy collectors at supports when
necessary. IL also authorizes the Secretary
| Of the Treasury to fix the compensation OF
| collectors and surveyors at the beginning 9
| Of last year In accordance with the amount
| Of their business, provided that the com
| pensation shall not exceed 5000 or less
| than 81 900, which shall be 10 lieu Of all
| fees and commissions heretofore allowed.
| The provision is not to apply to cases where
| the customs officer now receives a fixed
| salary 10 lieu Of all fees and commissions
All fees hereafter received are to be paid
| into the treasury.
On motion Of Mr. Warner, of Missouri
bill was passed authorizing the construc
| tion Of bridge across the Missouri river
| at Lexington, Mo.
Mr.. Rogers, OF Arkansas, called up the
bill conferiipg civil jurisdiction In the To-
| dian territory on United States courts hav-
ing criminal jurisdiction, aud It was passed
Mr.. Wheeler, Of Alabama, offered a reso.
| luton for the printing Of j, 900 extra copiet
| OF the report OF the board OF visitors to the
military academy. In Offering the resolu
tiop, which was referred, Mr.. Wheeler paid
tribute to Mr.. Childs, the president o.
| the board, whose philanthropic generosity
states, by sections, or by peoples, ant
whose fame extended to races foreign TO II
in language and ideas. The House then, al
4 o'clock, adjourned.