The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-26
UNEARNED LAND GRANTS.
Senator Call Urges Forfeitures In
Florida.

WASHINGTON. April 25.-The Senate this
morning resumed consideration of the rail-
road land forfeiture bill, and Mr.. Call went
on with his argument in favor of the
amendment offered by him as to the for
feiture Of railroad lands in Florida.
Mr.. Blair, noticing the inattent.on Of the
few senator's who were in their seats, called
attention to the fact, and on his motion a
call of the Senate took place. During its
progress senator's came in from the
committee rooms and cloak rooms, and
fifty-six of them responded to the call.
linen Mr.. Call went on with his speech, but
before he had been talking half an hour the
same State of things repeated itself, and he
stopped to make complaint that he had but
few hearers. He said that if the people
could only look in and witness the scene in
the Senate chamber they would form an
opinion that the day was passing by when
senators were of any use in the government
OF the country.
POWER OF THE PEOPLE.
Ii the public demand could have no re-
sponse in the Senate the people would find
1t out at no distant day, and there was
enough of intelligence and force and power
in public opinion for the people to de-
mand that proper attention should be given
to the consideration of questions of public
interest. In spite of this inattention on the
part of the senators, Mr.. Call started
off again. and resumed his ar
gument in explanation and sdvo,
eacy OF the amendment offered
lands in Florida. The land in question ION
the line of the Tampa roadl had been sold
(he said) to the late Edward n. Dickerson,
and were now owned by great capitalists
and men of great political importance who
were standing behind the attempt to depriv e
the poor settlers of their homes. He de-
clared that the transaction (the sale of rail-
road lands TO Mr.. Dickerson) was fraudulent
in every particle and fiber, although he ex-
cepted Mr.. Dickerson from all imputa-
tion. The amendment which he
proposed was wholly In the interest Of the
settlers and of peace
FAVORED BY MR.. GEORGE.
Mr.. George spoke in favor of Mr.. Calls
amendment, and said some pretty severe
things about the absence of the senator's
from their seats. He wanted the Senate to
understand, and he wanted the American
people to understand, that the question be-
fore the Senate was whether the settlers on
those lands In Florida were to be allowed a
chance to show that they had right to
them, and that the railroad company or its
assigns had no such rights. Mr.. Pasco
took the floor and the bill went over with
out action until Monday next.
The Senate bill appropriating $4,000 for
public building at Fayette, N. c., was
passed.
Mr.. Gibson offered joint resolution de-
claring the profound sorrow of the Senate
at the announcement Of the death of Hon.
Edward J. Gay, late representative from
the state of Louisiana, and suspending the
business of the Senate to give opportunity
for tributes to Mr.. Gays eminent public
and private virtues. Eulogies were pro-
nounced by Senators Gibson, Cockrell and
Eustis. The resolutions were agreed to, and,
as further mark of respect, the Senate at
4:30 o'clock adjourned till tomorrow.
The House at its evening session passed
thirty private pension bills, and at 1890
o'clock adjourned until tomorrow.