The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1894-04-21
WASHINGTON CITY NEWS.

which gives Norah Simpson . Quarter
section 81 land near Astoria. The case
has been in litigation many years.
| The Secretary Of the Interior has laid
before the Senate an elaborate report
from the Superintendent OF the census,
giving list OF sugar refineries that re-
fused to furnish statistics to the ceneus
SCENTS, chief among which appear those
OF Harrison Frasier x Co. Of Philsdel.
PIMA and the Hayemeyers OF New York.
II appears that legal proceedings were
| directed to he commenced. but that in
view OF the completion OF the statistics
i,efore such proceedings could be con-
Quoted to a finish the Department Of
Justice was notified not to proceed.
Pendleton OF Texas has introduced in
the House proposed amendment to the
rules providing for q count OF the mem
beers present and not voting when q roll
call has developed the absence OF q vot-
ing quorum. The rule IL to be surround.
ed with the necessary safeguard to pre-
vent the counting Of members from &C
eident or intention Sho were not pres
ent when the question Was put or came
IN At come time during the pending roll
call. The rule is not applicable to mo-
tions that may be determined by . vote
less than quorum.
Naval ordnance officers fired two shots
from the big thirteen-inch gun ut Indian
Head proving grounds the other day,
which proved to their complete satisfac-
ton that the gun il probably unsur.
passed Tor all practical purposes. The
object OF firing the great rifle Vas 10 test
the nickel steel projectiles, each weigh.
ing more than hall ton. The target
WAS twelve-inch nickel steel plate, and
both shells went entirely through it, one
OF them breaking TO pieces and the other
remaining intact after il had cleared the
plate. The Carpenter shell WAS unburt
10y the operation of rushing its half ton
mass through foot OF solid steel, which
is exactly what the ordnance officials
have been looking for as a means OF test
ing the seventeen-inch arnor for the
battle ships. These tests were therefore
only preliminary TO the trials for the &C.
ceptance or condemnation of the heayi.
esi aimorplates yet made in this country.
The Secretary OF the Interior has ad-
dressed a letter 10 the Attorney General
recommending that the contemplated
suit by the government TO secure the
cancellation OF patents issued many
years ago for the San Fernando private
land grant in California be abandoned.
An examination OF the abstract OF title
10 the grant reveals the fact that these
lands have passed by various means Of
conveyancee into other hands than those
oil the original grantees. Whatever the
equities in this case may be, thew are
stale In regard 10 the policy TO be pur-
sued by the government in attacking
this and other Mexican grants in Cali
iornia the Secretary saws lac does not be-
liere that any general policy could be
formulated. The government will Of
necessity have 10 lie controlled by the
facts involved in each case besides q
due regard for the sacredness OF our
treaty obligations should invoke caution
before proceeding 10 take steps 10 cancel
20 solemn an instrument as q patent OF
the government.
Horace Brewster, a resident of the
United States. but whose postoffice ad-
dress is Iadner, b. c.. has camped for
some time now upon the lighthouse re-
serve on Point Roberts, which bit Of
land in American waters the Canadian
government would like very much TO re-
gain. Mr.. Brewster thinks this govern
eminent, having never made any use
of the land and not evincing disposition
90 do NO now, ought TO give him the land
on which he has squatted in return for
the Improvements and cultivation which
hc has put upon IT, An interview with
Hon. Daniel Lamont, Secretary Of War,
makes II possible to assure not only Mr..
brewster, but the Canadian government
likewise, that the United States proposes
10 hold this little piece OF land which
juts out into the Sound from the main.
land OF British Columbia, regarding il
n very important strategic point and
one that might be OF great advantage in
time OF war. In the meantime there is
no particular objection to settlers going
upon this land, 80 long as they do no
damage. but il might be well for all such
to remember that while on that land
they are subject TO all the stringent Fed
eral laws which have been enacted to
protect property and preserve order upon
military and civic reservations Of the
United States.
General Wade Hampton. Commits
sioner OF Railroads, has submitted to
the House Committee having supervision
Of the matter sundry memoranda on the
various pending bills for settlement Of
the debt Of the Pacific railroads TO the
United States. From these memoranda
II appears that the Commissioner is OPP
poeed TO the foreclosure Of the lien on
the roads and the management thereof
by Congress, As proposed by one bill, but
IL favorably disposed to the maintenance
Of the sinking fund and the payment
into il Of larger proportion Of the net
earnings. He saws that on the maturity
Of the debts OF these roads these forms
OF settlement with the committee will
be presented, from which choice must
be made, viz: first. foreclosure: second.
maintain the sinking fund and require
that larger percentage Of net earnings
be paid into It: third. refund the debt.
Discussing the question OF foreclosure,
he says: "A foreclosure OF the lien, il
is admitted, will not satisfy the debt,
and the sale OF the Subsidized roads un.
der decree Of the court would not realize
more than enough to cancel the amount
Of the first mortgage bonds, in which
to lose its claim or buy in the liens and
pay of the first mortgage Indebtedness.
Railway management by Congress, be-
would not only he doubtful, but dan.
gerous experiment. II could not well
he diverted from politics. associated AZ
the latter IL with the attendant danger
Of corruption Of the civil service. This
alternative therefore should be rejected"
Under the second form of settlement he
says the sinking fund may be maintained
and larger proportion Of net earnines
he required to be paid into IL, % that
not only current interest may be met,
but the principal Of the bonds gradually
diminished. This proposition, he says,
has already been recommended for adop-
ton in the form OF proposed bill which
was submitted to the Secretary Of the