Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-12-15
FIFrY-sECoND CONGRESS.

The McGarrahan Claim Discussed fl
| the Senate-Senstor George Resume
His Remarks on the Anticipation
Bill-House Proceedings Unipter
esting.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-The president
veto of last session of the bill to submit t.
the court of private land claims the it'll
| of William McGarrahan to to the Ranch,
Panoche Grande, in California, was lait
the vote was about being taken on tn,
question ''shall the bill passr' when Mr.
Sanders demanded an explanation on tn,
part of the friends of the bill of the rea
son why it should pass.
Mr.. Pfeffer asked what would be thu
condition of the lands involved in case tn.
presidents veto were sustained.
Mr.. Sanders replied that if the veto were
sustained the ownership of the lsnd would
remain as 1t now was.
Mr.. Teller said that the claim had been
up for many years and there was no excuse
for the failure of any man in public life to
understand the question thoroughly. There
had been fifteen reports made in either
house recognizing the claim, while there
had been q less number made rejecting 1t.
The claim had been fully recognized by al
least two secretaries of the interior as in.
valid. 1t had had the recognition of Pres.
ident Lincoln, who signed a patent which
by some fraudulent continuance was can
celled and kept from the knowledge of
McGarrahan for many years.
Mr.. Teller added that the patent had
been recorded and had subsequently dis
appeared by mutilation of the record.
The case, he said, had been a standing
scandal for twenty-five years, and If the
bill now becomes a law the people would
be satisfied that justice was done to one
who had been wronged through the Official
agencies of the government.
Mr.. Hunton also supported the bill. He
said that for many years he had been
counsel for McGarrahan, but had never
received dollar of compensation.
The morning hour expired and the bill
went over.
Mr.. Villas was appointed a member of
the committee on public lands instead of
Mr.. Morgan, excused.
The senate then resumed consideration
of the anti-option bill and Mr.. George
continued his speech in favor of it.
Mr.. George called attention to the fall of
four or five points in the price of cotton
at the New York cotton exchange yester-
day, and said the fall was In the nature of
q menace because the United States GEN.
ate had undertaken to perform great
constitutional duty. He assumed that
senators would treat such threats with
contempt. Most of Mr.. Georges speech
was devoted to criticism of the modes of
business in the New York exchange,
which he charscteriz d as an "eleemosy-
nary institution" mentioning frequently
its "unhsllowed traffic" in phantom
bales" He spoke for over two hours, but
had not finished when he yielded for other
business. This anticipation bill went over
without action.
Mr. Hawley offered resolution, which
was agreed to, calling for information on
the subject of the safety of Metzsrott hall,
Washington.
Mr.. Macpherson, from committee on
naval affairs, reported without amend
ment, house bill passed May 81 last, for
and 1t was placed on the calendar. A
resolution offered by Mr.. Daniel calling
for information on civil service was agreed
to.
On motion of Mr.. Chandler the COM
were authorized to continue their inquiries
during the present session.
Adjourned.
The house proceedings to-day were IN
until the army bill was reached,
when Mr.. Anthony (dem.l of Texas stirred
up excitement by an amendment to the
effect that no person pensioned by the gov
eminent should be permitted to receive
pay under the pending act.
A number of prominent railroad men in
Guiding Chauneey NJ. Depew and President
Roberts of the Pennsylvania system, were
before the senate COMMITTEES on interstate
commerce this morning to advocate the
passage of the amendment to the inter-
state commerce law, introduced by request
of Mr.. Cullom, to modify the existing laws
as to authorize railroad companies TO form
pools under the supervision of the inter
state commerce commission, to wipe out
the penal clause of the punishment pre-
scribed, etc. The full committee was
present and speeches were made by Mr..
Depew, Mr.. Roberts, Mr.. Walker and Mr..
Ingalls, theee gentlemen urging that the
great majority af the railroads of the ooun-
try were in favor of the proposed amend
ment.