The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-08
WORK OF THE house.
A Bill That Can't Be Called Back
Unearned Railroad Land Grants.

Unearned Railroad Land Grants.
WASHINGTON, July Tin the House this
morning the speaker having directed the
journal to be read, Mr.. Rogers of Arkansas
raised the point of order that no quorum
was present.
The speaker counted ninety-one members,
and on motion Of Mr.. Mckinley call Of
the House was ordered.
One hundred and sixty-seven members, a
quorum, having responded to their names,
the journal of Thursdays proceedings was
read.
Mr.. Bland Of Missouri, rising to a ques-
ton Of privilege, sent to the clerks desk and
had read a press dispatch stating that he
was absent from the conference meeting on
the silver bill on Saturday last. In order
that he should not be placed in false light,
and appear to be neglecting his duty, he
read a note which he had received from Mr..
Conger, chairman Of the House confrerees,
stating that there would not be a meeting
of the conferees Saturday.
AN IMPORTANT POINT RAISED.
MIR. Dorsey of Nebraska moved TO sus.
pend the rules aud pass a concurrent reso-
luton requesting the President to return &c
the House the bill extending the time oi
payment to the purchasers of the land of the
Omaha tribe of Indians in Nebraska.
Mr.. Breckenridge made the point of order
that it was not in the power of the House
under the constitution 10 recall a bill which
had passed and been sent to the President
The bill was in the hands OF the President
and he could sign it, allow it to become q
law without his approval, or veto it.
The speaker declined to pass upon the
constitutional question, leaving that to the
House, but he overruled the point Of order
Mr.. Cultivate demanded second, and
the democrats refusing TO vote, left the
House without quorum.
Mr.. Dorsey thereupon withdrew his
motion.
The speaker submitted a dozen requests
for leaves Of absence. The leaves were
granted.
UNEARNDED LAND GRANTS.
On motion of Mr.. Payson of Illinois the
House went into committee Of the whole for
the consideration of heSenate bill to forfeit
certain lands heretofore granted for the
purpose of aiding in the construction of
railroads, with the House substitute there
for. Mr.. Payson explained that the bill, in
its general provisions, proposed &c
forfeit and restore to the public do
main all public lands wherever sit
uated, which have been granted il
not been completed at this time. There
had been. he said, thirty-seven railroads
aided by acts of congress which had not
been completed within the time fixed by
congress. Twelve of these grants had been
forfeited, comprising nearly 50,O00,0OC
acres That left twenty-five roads which
bad not been acted upon. Nine had beer
fully completed. That left sixteen
railroads which were now un
completed, and the House substitute
recommended the forfeiture of all lands
laying opposite such portions of the roads as
were not now constructed. 1t was hi:
opinion that no bill of broader character
than this could ever pass the Senate and
become law. A careful estimate was tx
the effect that the bill would restore Is, 900,
600 acres to the public domain.
Mr.. Oates of Alabama approved the bill
because it forfeited only lands situated
along the unconstructed portion of the
roads.
Mr.. Stone of Missouri took the position
that forfeiture should be made of all lands
which had not been earned by the railroads
at the time fixed in the granting acts for the
completion of the roads.
Pending debate the committe rose and thu
House adjourned.