Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-09-26
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON, September 25th I'm the Senate
to-day Plumb reported the Senates Joint resolu-
tion authorizing an extension fer one year OF
the time of the payment for land on pre-emp-
ton or homestead claims, whenever, by reason
of the failure of crops, a settler was unable to
make payment within the time prescribed by
law. Passed.
The calendar was then taken up. the first bill
beng the House bill to prevent the product of
convict labor from being furnished to or for The
use of any department of the Government or
used upon public buildings or other public
works Passed over. and the next bill taken
up was the House bill to amend the contract
labor law.
objection by German.
The following bills, among others, were
passed: The Senate bill to authorize the scquisi-
lion of lands for coke ovens and other i'm
provements, and for rights of way for wagon
roads. railroads aud tramways in connection
with the coal mines; the Senate DILL requiring
the United States to defend the title OF home
steaders under the laws of the United States in
all suits where the land is claimed 10 be min
erai. because of phosphate deposits.
The Senate resumed consideration of the Sen.
ate bill to establish United States Land Court,
but adjourntd d without a disposition OF 1t.
IN TsE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, September 2oth. The House
this morning proceeded to consideration of the
conference report on the land forfeiture bill.
The conference report was adopted: also the
bill authorizing the entry of public lands by in
eorporated cities and towns for cemetery and
mark purposes; the bill for the relief of settlers
of Northern Pacific indemnity lands, and the
bill granting pension of 500 per month to the
widow of General Hsrtranft.
Enloe of Tennessee offered a resolution recit-
ing that il is alleged that the Postmaster of the
House. ]. l. Wheat, whose duty 1t Is to let con-
tracts for carrying mails, let one to Samuel
Culbertson for $500 year, on condition that
Culberlson pay him (Wheat) $50 per month out
of the money received from the Government,
and that Wheat did receive that amount for
five months, and directing an investigation of
these charges and other matters pertaining to
Wheai's administration.
Caswell of Wisconsin said his information
was that this practice on the part of the Post
master had obtained during several Congresses.
The Postmaster became satisfied tnat this money
was not a proper and legitimate perquisite,
therefore he had covered every dollar into the
Treasury.
Hopkins offered an amendment extending the
investigation TO the practices of the Postmaster
in the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses.
After some debate this was agreed to and the
resolution as amended passed.
Payne of New York Chairman of the special
Committee on the Silcott Defalcation, called up
the bill defining the duties of the Sergeant at
Arms, and it passed.
1t is framed to guard against any possible
repetition of the defalcation. and it is only
when payment is actually made by the Ser
geant-at-Arms to members that any receipt can
| be required. His compensation is limited to
his salary. A bond of $4,000 is also required.
| A bill was passed appropriating 81 900 900 tc
/ enable the Secretary Of the Navy to purchase
nickel ore or matter for the manufacture OF
nickel-steel armor.
Adjourned.