Los Angeles herald., 1890-07-17
DOINGS IN CONGRESS.
THE SENATE CONSIDERS THE SUN
DRY CIVIL BILL.
and Others-The House Unable to do
Business for Lack of Quorum.

WASHINGTON, July l6.-ln the senate
today Pasco offered a resolution (re-
ferred to the committee on foreign rela
tions) calling on the secretary OF state
for information as to the arrest by the
Spanish authorities in Havana of A. j.
Diaz, an American citizen and a minis
ter of the gospel.
Power offered a resolution (agreed eo>
calling on the secretary of the interior
for information as to the personnel OF
the geological survey, their duties, COM
pensation, etc.
The resolution offered yesterday by
Cullom as to the transportation Of goods
in bond between the Atlantic and Pa
cifc ports of the United States over the
Canadian Pacific railway was taken up.
Washburn offered an amendment ex-
tending the scope of the inquiry to the
Grand Trunk railroad. He intimated a
suspicion that the object of the resolu-
ton was to make war upon the Cana
dian Pacific.
Cullom disclaimed any such inten-
ton. He accepted Washburn's amend
ment.
The resolution as amended was
agreed to.
Teller introduced bill giving pen
sion of $4,000 to Mrs. Jessie Fremont.
Referred to the committee on pensions.
Sawyer introduced bill to establish
limited postal telegraph service.
Referred to the postoffice committee.
The senate proceeded to executive
business. When the doors were re-
opened the senate resumed consideration
of the sundry civil appropriation bill,
and adopted the pending amendment
increasing the appropriation for survey
ing public lands from 100000 to $780,
900.
The next amendment that provoked
discussion was one increasing the item
for topographic surveys from 100000 tc
$300,000, and adding these words
"One-half OF which sum shall be eX.
pended west of the 101st meridian, and
so much of the act of October %, 1888
entitled: AN act making appropria-
tions for the sundry civil expenses o.
the government for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1885, as provides for the
selection and location of reservoirs and
canals upon public lands, and the reser
vation of irrigable lands, is hereby re-
pealed; provided, that reservoirs anc
canal sites heretofore located or Sc
lected, shall remain segregated and re-
served from entry or settlement until
otherwise provided by law"
Spooner announced his intention tt
vote for the amendment reported by the
committee on appropriations. The COS
of irrigation surveys had been placed, h'
said, at $7,000,000. His own opinion
was that if it was to go on the cost woult
be nearer seventy millions. Under thu
construction given to the act OF 1883 by
the interior department, (and which
construction he endorsed as correct,
lands had been withdrawn from settle
ment covering two-fifths of the area 0
the United States, comprising 1,300,OO'
square miles, or $50, 100000 acres. Fo
what purpose and for how long wer
these lands withdrawn? In order tha
the government might have reservoi
sites marked out for irrigation purposes
The Lord only knew how long it woul'
take to carry out that plan. He though
congress made a great mistake when
appropriated single dollar for an irri
CATION survey, and the sooner it re
tracted such the better it would be TO
the people.
Dawes, from the committee on appro
priations, reported the Indian appropri
alton bill, carrying an appropriation o
$7,l53,811.
The discussion was resumed, ant
Platt argued in support of the amend
ment and in general defense OF the des
ert land law, the swamp land law ant
other land laws OF the United States
He favored the repeal of the irrigation
law, and said it's retention meant tina
not single acre of public lands affecte
by it could ever be entered by an
homestead settler, and charged tina
that was the object contemplated by tn
shrewd man who drew up that provision
in the conference committee. The dis
cussion continued until 6 O'Clock, whe