The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-08-09
The Greer County Bill.

I'm the senate of the United States, February
10, 1883. Read twice and referred to the commit
tee on the Judiciary
AN ACT-To create board of arbitration to set
tie and determine the controversy between the
United States and the state of Texas, relating to
certain territory by them respectively claimed.
Whereas, A controversy exists between
the United States and the state of Texas
over the title to that territory lying be-
tween the north and south forks of Red
river, east of the one hundredth degree of
longitude, the same being designated on
the maps of Texas as Greer county; and
Whereas, All efforts heretofore made by
and between the United States and the
state of Texas for a settlement of said
controversy have failed; and
Whereas, 1t is desirable that said con-
ficting claims should be finally settled and
determined:
Therefore, Be it enacted by the senate
and house of representatives of the United
States of America in congress assembled,
that a board of arbitration be, and the
same is hereby, created for the purpose of
deciding said controversy and finally de-
termining the ownership of said territory.
Section 2-That said DO .rd of arbitra-
ton shaIl consist of three persons, who
shall be learned in the law, one of whom
shall be appointed by the president of the
United States, one by the governor of
Texas, aud the third, who shall be the chief
Justice of some one of the states other
than Texas, shall be agreed upon and ap-
pointed By the president of the United
States and the governor of Texas.
Section 3-That said board of arbitra-
ton shall meet at such place or places as
may be designated by majority of its
members, and shall have full authority to
send for persons and papers, to administer
oaths, and to hear and receive testimony
in behalf of the respective claims of the
United States and the state of Texas, in
Guiding any evidence heretofore taken
and received by the joint boundary com
mission, under the act Of congress APP
proved January 81, 1885, and to thoroughly
investigate and decide said controversy to
the end that it may be definitely settled
and determined whether said territory be-
longs to the United States or the state of
Texas.
Section 4-That said board of arbitra.
ton shall be appointed and enter upon
the work hereby assigned them as early
as practicable after the passage of an act
of similar import to this by the legislature
of the state of Texas, and shall render
their decision as soon as the importance
of the issue and a proper Investigation
thereof will Justify, and, when said deci-
sion is rendered, the same shall be
by said board of arbitration GER
titled to the president of the United States
and the governor of Texas, and shall be
recorded in the respective land offices of
the United States and the state of Texas,
and said decision shall be final and de-
cisive of said controversy.
Section That the SUN of $4,000, or
so much thereof as may be necessary, is |
hereby appropriated, out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated,
to be expended under the direction of the |
secretary of the interior, to defrsy the |
expenses and for pensation of those
members of said board of arbitration,
appointed by the president. Provided,
that the state of Texas shall pay a sum
equal to that paid by the United States as
compensation for that member of said
board, jointly appointed by the president
and governor of Texas,
Section 6-That this act shall take effect
and be in force as soon as the legislature
Of Texas shall pass an act in accordance
herewith.
Passed the house of representatives
February 10, 1883.
Attest; JNo. B. CLARK, Clerk.