The times., 1897-05-07
RESTORED TO THE PEOPLE
Western Forests Returned to the
Public Domain.
MR.. CLEVELAND Is REBUKED
The Senate Passes the Pettjgrew
Amendment Modifying and Sus-
Orders and ProcIamations-M
Bacon Pleads for Arbitration.

Before resuming the consideration of
the sUndry civil bill in the Senate yes
terday, some matters OF special interest
were considered MIR Bacon OF Georgia
introduced joint resolution reciting that
the United States deprecates war and de-
sires peace with all the World; thai
this country favors the principle OF in
Iernational arbitration; that IL avow its
Willingness to submit questions To court
of arbitration, and that it invite similar
expression from other nations.
Bills were reported favorable To
$2,000,000 public building at Indanapo-
lis and one for 100000 at Abilene, Tex
Mr.. Jones OF Arkansas called the atten-
tion Of the Senate to the important fact
that the promised comparative tariff state
ment had not yet appeared. He desired
to have it ready as early as possible so
that ii could be given due consideration.
Mr. Allison said that it would be ready
probably on Saturday,
The pending amendment, Mr. Pettigrew's.
To the undry civil bill, to suspend the order
of President Cleveland ereat ting the vast
forest reserves, was taken up.
The attack was lei by Messrs. Pettgrew,
Wilson, Carter, Turner and Others, in the
course of rheii rema rks Mr. Cleveland be-
ing severely criticised.
Mr Gray defended the President, stat
ing that he tad acted on an investigation
begun by Congress itself, through the Nat
tional Association of Science.
The Presidents 5 order OF February last
was characterized by Mr Clark as an act
showing absolute and intolerable ignC-
rance An indignant protest was made
by Mt Turner against requiring Senators
who called at the executive department
in relation TO these forest reservations TO
"kick their shins in the corridor
while the Senators from the entire
West Mr White exclaimed, stand to-
gether ard present this unbroken front,
regardless OF politics, some attention ought
to be paid to our demand
Mr. Rawlins saw in the action of Mr..
Cleveland an outrage similar to that coIn--
Initted by william the Conqueror, wnen
he turned a rich and extensive district in
| England into n hunting reserve.
Mt German resented the idea that Mary
land, Delaware, Massach usetts, or the
Eastern States, were responsible for the
existing condition of affairs, and intimated
that the Western Senator'S had themselves
! to blame in not having the matter
remedied before
Mr. German went on to cIiticise The
| an endment as obnoxious to the Iule that
new legislation shah not be put npon
appropriation bills. In the course of his
remarks. he referred to the House as
body which had no present legislative
facilities The remark was taken up by
Mr. White, who spoke of the House as
being under a Legislative paddock"
retary Sherman came into the chamber
| and shook hands with many OF his former
| associates. He took a seat first beside Mr..
Allison aud then beside Mr.. Morgan, with
| whom ne conversed for some time.
A motion by Mr.. Allison TO strike out
of the amendment so much OF it as declares
the orders and proclamations OF February
%, 1897, suspended. and the lands re-
stored TO thepublic domain, was defeated -
| yeas, IA; nays, 80.
| A vote was taken on MI. German 5 mo-
ton that the amendment was not in or
der, and resulted: Yeas, %; nays, %. So
| the amendment was declared n order, ami
| it was agreed to. 1t authorizes and en-
| powers the President to revoke, modify or
| suspend any and all of the Executive or
! dcrs and proclamations setting aside for
| est reservations, ana It immediately SllS-
pends the orders and proclamations of Feb
ruary % last, setting apart lands in Wyo-
ming, Utah, Montana, Washington, idaho
and South Dakota, and restores those lands
to the public domain
Mr.. Berry. Democrat ofArkansas, offered
an amendment authorizing contracts for
| the Improvement OF the Mississippi River
| to the amount of S2,5s3, 600 for the fiscal
| year ending June 80. 1899, and of like
sum for the following fiscal year. Agreed
TO.
The Nicaragua Canal Commission was
/ finally completed OF one officer OF the
| Army. one officer of the Navy and one en-
/ gineer from civil life.
The bill was passed after few other
| amendments.
| Mr.. Frye reported from the Committee
| on Commerce a bin to adopt regulations
| governing the navigation of the rivers.
| harbors and other inland waters of the
| United states, except the great lakes, to
carry out the recommendations of the
| American delegates to the international
| maritime congress.
| The bill was read and passed. and the
Senate. at 6:15, adjourned till Monday
1 next.