, 1890-07-17
THE DAY IN CONGRESS
Sundry Civil Appropriations
in the Senate.
AN IRRIGATION AMENDMENT
The Original Legislation on the
Subject Severely Condemned
Land Grant Forfeiture.


senate MIR. Pasco offered resolution,
which was referred to committee on
foreign relations, calling on the secretary
OF state for information rs to the arrest
by the spanish authorities in Havana OF
/ ~ J. Dia2. an American ciuaon, and
minister of the gospel.
Mr.. Power offered n resolution, which
was agreed to, calling upon the secretary
of tho interior for information as TO the
personnel of the geological survey, its
duties and compensation.
Tho resolution offered yesterday by
Mr.. Culom as TO the transportation OF
goods in bond between Atlantic and
Pacific ports in the United states over
the Canadian Pacific Railroad was
taken up.
Mr. Washburn offered an amendment
extending the scope of inquiry to the
Grand Trunk. He intimatcd that the
object of the resolution was to make
war upon the Canadian Pacific.
Mr., Cullom di-claimed any such in
tontion. He accepted Mr.. Washburn' 5
amendment and the resolution, as
amended, was agreed to.
MIR, Teller introduced resolution
giving pension OF $1,000 a year to
Mrs. Jessie Fremont, which was referred
to the committee on pensions.
Mr.. Sawyer introduced bill to estab
lish limited postal telegraph service,
which was referred to the postoiiice com
mittee.
The senate then proceeded to eSecu
tive business, and when the doors were
re-opened, resumed consideration of the
sundry civil appropriation bill, and
adopted the pending amendment in
creasins the Appropriation for the sur.
vcy of the public lands from 10000 to
$500, coo,
The nsSt amendment that provoked
discussion was the one increasing the
item for the topography survey from
100000 to $500 900 and adding these
words: zone hall of which sum shall
be expended west of the one hundred
and first meredian and so much of the
act OF October 2 lsss, entitled, an act
making appropriations for sundry civil
expenses Of the government for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1900 as provides
for the section and location OF reser-
voirs and canals upon the public lands,
and the reservation of Irrigable lands
is hereby repealed, provided that the
reservoirs ana canal sites heretofore
located, or selected, shall remain re
served from entry or settlement until
otherwise provided by law"
Mr.. Spooner announced his intention
to vote for the amendment reported by
the committee on appropriations. The
cost of the irrigation survey had been
placed, he saii, at 100000. His own
opinion was that If it was to 20 on the
cost would he nearer SO, ,OOO,O 900. Under
the construction given to the act OF lSsS
by the interior department, and which
construction he iudorsed as correct.
lands had been withdrawn from settle.
ment covering two .ttths Of the area of
the United States comprising |, 800, COO
square miles, or sSOOOO,OJO acres. For
what and tor how long were these lands
withdrawn, in order that the govern
ment might have reservoir sites and
canal sites marked out for irrigation
purposes2 The Lord only knows how
long 1t would take To- carry out the plan.
He thought congress maze a great mis-
take when It Appropriated n single dol.
lar Tor the irrigation survey, and the
sooner 1t rctracted the steps the better 1t
would be tor the people.
Mr. Dawes, from tho committee on
appropriations, reported the Indian ap.
proprlation bill carrying an appropria
ton Of S7,l53.sl1.
Mr Plstt argued in support of the
irrigation amendment, and in general
defense Of the desert land law, the
swamp land law and other land
laws Of the United States. lie iay lrsd
the repeal of the irrigation law, and
said that its retention meant that not a
single acre of the public lands affected
by 1t could be entered by any home
stead settler, and charged that that was
the object contemplated by the shrowd
man who drew up that provision in the
conference cOtnmttoc.
The discussion continued until q
O'Clock, when the senate adjourned
without action on tho pending amend
mGnL