The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-17
YESTERDAY IN CONGRESS.

WA9HM0TON, July 4Os-1aSCV VAOSV0
resolution, which was referred to the COM
mittee ON foreign relations. calling ON the
secretary of state for information a. to the
arrest by the Spanish authorities in Havana
Of A. J. Diax, an American citizen and
minister Of the gospel. Power offered
resolution, which was agreed to, calling on
the secretary of the interior for informa
tion % to the personnel Of the geological
survey, its duties, compensations, etc. The
resolution offered yesterday by Cullom a.
to transportation Of goods in bond between
Atlantic and Pacific ports Of the United
States over the Canadian Pacific was taken
up. Washburn offered an amend
ment extending the scope Of the in
quiry to tho Grand Trunk. He intimated
his suspicion that the object Of the resolu-
tion was TO make war upon the Can0dlan
Pacific. Cullom disclaimed any such In
tention, and he accepted Washburn!
was agreed to. Teller introduced q bill
giving pension Of 5000 = year to Mrs.
Jessie Fremont. Referred to the commit
tee on pensions. Sawyer introduced bill
to establish limited postal telegraph ser
vice. Referred TO the postofhce committed.
When the doors were reopened the senate
resumed confederation of the sundry civil
appropriation bill and adopted the pending
amendment increasing the approximation
for surveying public lands from 100000 to
100000. The next amendment that pro-
voked discussion was the one increasing the
item for Topographic survey froml$1O,OOO
to $500, 900 and adding these words: "One.
half of which sum shall be expended west
Of the one hundred and first meridian."
and 90 much of the act Of October 2, 1883.
entitled An act making approximations for for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. az pro-
vides for the selection and location OF res
ervoirs and canals upon public lands ana
the reservation Of irrigable lands u hereby
repealed; provided, that reservoir and canal
main segregated and reserved from entry
OF settlement until otherwise provided by
law" Spooner ann ounced his intention
not TO vote for the amendment reported
by the committee on appropriations. The
cost Of irrigation e9 I mad q! been placed
ion was that II il was to 60
on the cost would be nearer
&7O, 900 900 under construction given to the
act Of 1883 by the interior department, and
which construction he endorsed az correct.
covering two -fifths of the area of the United
States, comprising 1900, 600 square miles or
$50, COO, 600 acres. For what end and how
long were these lands withdrawn? In
order that the government might have res
ervoir sites and canal sites marked out for
irrigation purposes. The Lord only knows
how long it would take to carry out the
plan. He thought congress made great
mistake whom it appropriated single dol
lar for an irrigation survey, and the sooner
it retraced the step the better it would be
for the people.
After some preliminary debate over the
approval Of the journal and the omission
from the record Of yesterdays tilt between
Cannon and Honk.s the house went into
committee Of the whole on the land grant
forfeiture bill. There being no quorum
present tho house adjourned.