The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-03-07

MlssOula q Northern halfway GO. the
right of way through the Flathead In.
dian reservation in Montana.
GENERAL LAND Bill PASSED.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The general
land bill passed the house today without
friction. A fight on the measure was
made Saturday night. This bill carries
with it the provisions outlined in " ash
ington dispatches last Friday. 1t includes
the repeal of the timber culture and pre-
emption claim laws and many minor pro-
visions of great interest to the northwest.
The Si>setOn amendment was agreed to
iy the senate cOnferees today. This re-
duces the price of land to settlers from
$3.50 to $1.25 per acre. The Sisseton
reservation will be opened to settlers
early IN the spring. Outside of land that
will lie held by Indians, 100000 acres
will be thrown open to settlers. The
c sseton and Wahpeton bands will get
100000 for their immediate use.
PIERCE TO BE HONORED.
WAsHTNGTON, March 2.-Tnere are
signs at the white house today which in
dictate that Gilbert A. Pierce, the present
senator from North Dakota, may be ap-
pointed minister to China. Senator Blair
was appointed to this position, but he has
told President Harrison, it is said, that he
can not accept. In the event that he Toes
not Senator Pierce's name is sure to be
sent to the senate at 0nce IN his stead.
1t is known that the president desires to
do something handsome Tor Pierce. If
he does not get an appointment to China
appointment equally good will be
given him. There is a strong movement
in Pierceis favor among his colleagues in
the senate. Whether Pierce will accept
is not known.
AN EXTRA SESSION.
M~INNEAPoLIs, March "A journal
from Washington says: The indi-
today are that President Harrison
will call an extra session of the senate.
If such a move should be made the ses-
sion will not last over three weeks. The
whole matter is in the hands of Secre-
tary Blaine. If he gives the word an ex
ira session will he called. 1t IS learned
from the most reliable source that Mr..
Blame has several reciprocity treaties
about concluded. Cuba is one of the
that he Is trying hard to COM
plete negotiations with at once. A rep
of the state department re-
from Cuba yesterday, and it is
supposed that he has important infOrma !
ton for Blaine. The only work to be &C
in the extra session is the
of treaties with several South
republics that the secretary of
state is now negotiating with.
MRs. PORTER BETS PENSION.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The public
debt has increased s2,994, $50 during Feb
ruary.
The house today passed the bill grant
ing a pension of $4,000 a year to the
of the late Admiral Porter.
Senator Stewards amendment to the
agricultural bill appropriating $2O,OO0
for the collection and publication of in
formation as to the best methods of cul-
'ivatlng the soil by irrigation, and ex-
lending the limit of time until January
|, 1892 was agreed to.
wEATHER-CRoP BULLETIN.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The weather
crop bulletin for February says the
weather for the month was generally
mild throughout the winter-wheat region,
attended by excessive precipitation. The
month closed with n decided cold wave
preceded by general rains throughout
he entire wheat region, but owing to
he backward condition of the crop it Is
that no serious injury will re-
suit from this sudden freeze. There is
excess of moisture throughout the greater
of the wheat region, and March
opens with general SHOWS throughout the
northwest and the conditions are favor
lble for grain covering the central val
eys.
PERMENENT SETTLEMENT OF TITLES.
A resolution introduced by Senator
Casey and adopted by the senate Satur-
lay having for Its object the permanent
of titles of settlers In the
northeastern part of North Dakota is of
treat importance. The St. Vincent ex.
ension of the st. Paul, Minneapolis g.
railway by the terms of its
rant laid claim to land on both sides of
Is constructed road between st. Cloud
nd st. Vincent. This extension, how
yer, runs north from Fergus Falls, often
I u distance of less than the ten miles al
by the grant, from the Red River
+ the North, the boundary line between
Minnesota and North Dakota. Never
heless, the company claimed the right to
he full ten miles, Notwithstanding the
act that 1t would include large tracts of
and across the river ind within North
dakota. This claim was di allowed by
he interior department on the ground
nat as the railroad was built wholly
7ithin the limits of Minnesota 1t could
OF properly claim lands lying within
neighboring state. The supreme court,
owever, subsequently in the case of
his company against Phillips wholly
isregarded the boundary limits OF
be state, and thus recognized
lght In company to such lands within
forth Dakota as lie within the extended
mits, free from claim at date the definite