The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-26

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-[Spcciall-
In the House this morning, on motion
OF Mr. Lacey, of Iowa, Il resolution was
adopted directing the clerk of the House
to forward to the Governor of Arkansas
copy of the resolution declaring that
there was vacancy in the Second Con-
gressional district of that State. The
House then proceeded to consider tho
conference report on the land forfeiture
bill, which was amended and agreed to.
Mr.. Wheeler, of Alabama, opposed it
because he believed that the bill in it's
present shape would still further post
pone restoring public lands now belong
ing to the people to their rightful
owners. 1t attempted to do what it had
no right to do, and it failed to do what
it should do and there was no help in it.
Referring to the North Pacific lands he
said that there were forty million acres
which belonged to the people which that
corporation held within its grasp, and
yet that corporation came to Congress
and acauicsced in a bill which forfeited
four million acres which it did not want.
winch Ii had never earned and which it
would never earn. In considcrat ton of
forfeittng lands they did not want. the
company asked to have confirmed to it
forty laillion acres worth two hundred
millions of dollars. Herbert, of Ala
bama said that the bill might not he 8,
perfect bill, but it was the best bill
which was likely to be passed and he
was in favor OF it. The conference re-
port was adopted.
Mr.. Payne of New York, chairman of
- too
vestigGtc the Silcott defalctaion. called
up the bill defining the duties of the
sergcaNt-at-arms. 1t enables the ser
geant-tt-arms to make rcquisition di-
rectly upon the Treasury for pay and
mllcaG. Of members, and constitutes
him inrXplicit terms disbursing officer,
limiting his compensation to his present
salary The bill was passed.
MIR. Boutcllc, chairman of the COM
mlttec on naval affairs, reported the bill
approplia5ing $1,000 coo TO enable the
Secretary Of the Navy 10 purchase
nickel for the manufacture of nickel
steel armor, and asked for unanimous
consen1 for its consideration. Mr..
Blount. OF Georgia. asked whether the
gentleman urged the measure for rca-
sons which should not he stated in tho
public interest. Mr. Boutellc replied
that there was nothing that could be
stated. There was no mystery about
tho maJter, no secret, but all it was
necessary To state was that this cnatc-
rial was absolutely necessary for the
completion of vessels now under con-
struction. The bill was passed, and
the House adjourned
MIR. Ilcmphill presented the confer
cnce report on the bill for establishing
Rock Creek Park in the District of Col
umbia. There was some opposition to
its adoption; but the report was finally
agreed to.
Conference reports were also agreed
to upon bills granting pension of 500
monthly to the widow of General Hart
ranft and for the relief Of settlers upon
Northern Pacific indemnity lands
Mr.. Enloe then presented resolution
which rccites that the postmaster of the
House, >. l.. Wheat, whose duty il is to
let contracts for carrying tho mails let
the contract to one Samuel Culbcrtson
for 1000 year on condition that Gull
bcrtson should pay to him (WhcaD $50
Il month out of money received from the
Government for his services, and that
Wheat did receive that sum for five
months. Mr. Caswcll of Wisconsin.
said that his information was that this
practice on the part of the postmaster
had obtained during several Congresses.
The postmaster had become satisfied
that this money was not proper and
Legitimate pcrquistc and he had there
fore covered every dollar into the Treas
ury. The resolution was amended and
passed.
AN EASY DAY IN THE SENATE