The Washington times., 1894-08-06
THE WASHINGTON TIMES. MONDAY, AUGUST 8. 1894.

ment OF certain lands on the reservation Of
the confederated Otoo and Missouri Indians
of Nebraska and Kansas, amending the act OF
| March 3, 1881. The Commissioner OF the
Land ONCE was authorized to issue patents
as evidence OF title for all valid locations
made with land scrip issued pursuant to de-
crees of the Supreme Court, which valid loca-
tions were made prior to the approval OF the
aforesaid act, in the same manner that
patents are now issued under the provisions
of section three OF the act of January 2S,
1879.
RELIEF TO THE WEST.
AS measure Of relief to the West during
the business depression, the requirement that
on each mining claim located. not less than
800 worth Of improvements be made each
year under penalty of forfeiture, was GUS
pended for the year 1894. An act was passed
disqualifying registers or receivers OF land
offices from hearing cases in which they were
| interested, and providing that the Secretary
OF the Interior shall designate special agents
to hear such cases. The time for taking final
proof and payment for all lands located under
the homestead and desert laws was extended
for one year, and the time for final payments
under the pre-emption act when entrymen are
prevented from making payment by causes
beyond their control.
The donation act" of 1850 was amended so
that persons who had made proof Of settle
ment in Oregon. Washington, and Idaho, but
failed to file proof Of their continued resi-
dence and cultivation. are given until January
], 1886, to make final proof.
IMPORTANT BRIDGE BILL.
Foremost in Importance of the numerous
bridge bills which became laws was the act
authorizing the New York and New Jersey
Bridge Company to bridge the Hudson be-
tween New York city and New jersey
After its first passage theIbill was vetoed
by President Cleveland because it permitted
the sinking of peir in the river,
which commercial shipping bodies, which
opposed it, declared would be a great
obstruction to navigation. An amended
bill finally met the sanction Of
the President and was signed, which pro-
vides that the bridge shall be of the length Of
span and elevation which the Secretary of
War shall approve and require leaving the
recommendations to a board of disinterested
engineers to be appointed by the President.
This structure. which will be only second to
the Brooklyn bridge; if completed it must be
built in ten years under the terms of the act,
not less than 81 200, 600 to be expended on it
each year and 81, SOC, 900 the first year.
ODDS AND ENDS.
The odds and ends of the sessions legisla-
tion included joint resolution authorizing the
Secretary Of the Treasury to permit the own
ers OF cattle and horses transporting them into
Mexico for grazing, to reimport them within
twelve months, and extending like privileges
to Mexicans; authorizing the directors
of the Worlds Columbian Exposition to
confer diplomas upon designers, inventors,
and expert artisans; authorizing the President
10 appoint delegates to the meetings Of the
International Geodetic Association; authoriz-
ing the Secretary of State to accept for the
United States painting by G. f. Watts, en-
titled Love and Life"
For the erection Of fire escapes on
the Government Printing Office and
Maltby building. providing additional
clerical force for the Librarian of
Congress; TO place tablet on the Capitol to
commemorate the laying of the cornerstone
September Is, 1873; relieving the employees of
the record and pension office who were in
iured in the Ford's Theater disaster from the
operation OF the law restricting the amount of
sick leave with pay that may be granted by
heads of departments; for the disposal of the
Nirginius indemnity fund; a joint resolution
to establish an observatory circle as pro-
7ision for guarding the delicate instruments
OF the Naval Observatory against smoke or
currents OF heated air or vibrations; TO pro-
mote the efficiency OF the naval militia by
enabling each State to own war vessels.
DISTRICT LEGISLATION.
The grand encampment of.the Knights Of
Pythias, soon to be held in Washington, led
10 the passage of an act to incorporate the
supreme lodge OF that order and one author
izing the Secretary of War to grant permits TO
the executive committee for camping on the
Washington Monument grounds and for
stands on the streets.
Congress is the only legislative body for
the District of Columbia, and all District
legislation is enacted by il. The acts Of the
session were: Regulating the sale of intoxi-
eating liquors; TO make service connections
with water mains and sewers; to continue the
act to protect fish in the Potomac River and
TO provide spawning ground for
shad and herring; requiring the sale
of new tickets by street railw ay
companies; TO construe the acts incor-
porating the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral
foundation; to extend North Capitol street
to the Soldiers Home; to close part Of an
alley in square 622 and alleys in square Isl;
authorizing the justices of the court of ap-
peals and supreme court of the District of
Columbia to take books from the library OF
Congress; authorizing the Metropolitan Rail-
road Company TO change its motive power for
cars to underground electric propulsion; to
prohibit the interment of bodies in Graceland
Cemetery.