appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury, for the purpose of adding an additional story to the said post-office building now in the course of erection, to be used for United States court rooms and other Government offices. Approved, July 3, 1876. CHAP. 164.—An act to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the joint stock company of the Young Men's Christian Association of Washington," approved March second, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven. July 3, 1876. 1867, ch. 190. 14 Stat., 550. Young Men's Christian Associa Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the act entitled "An act to incorporate the joint stock company of the Young Men's Christian Association of Washington," approved March second, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, be, and the same is hereby, amended as follows, namely: SEC 1. That the joint-stock company of the Young Men's Christian Association be, and it is hereby, authorized and empowered to borrow, on the tion may Lo.row security of the real estate now owned by it in square numbered four hun- money. dred and seven in the city of Washington, District of Columbia, not exceeding the sum of thirty-three thousand dollars, at a lawful rate of interest, for the purpose of paying off the debt now due from said jointstock company to the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company. May secure loan SEC 2. That in order to secure the amount authorized to be borrowed by the preceding section, the said joint-stock company is hereby author- by deed of trust. ized to execute and deliver its note for the amount borrowed, under authority of this act, bearing such lawful rate of interest, and payable at such time, principal and interest, as may be agreed upon between it and the persons from whom it may borrow such money; and to secure the payment of such note and interest to convey said property to two trustees in fee simple, with power in said trustees, or the survivor of them, to sell said property at public auction in case of default made in the payment of said note, or any installment of interest due thereon, upon such terms and after such notice by advertisement as the said trustees, or the survivor of them, may deem best for the interest of all parties concerned, and to convey the same to the purchaser in fee-simple. Terms of trust. Revenues of SEC 3. That the rents and revenues derived from said property shall be retained by the board of directors of said joint-stock company and property to be first used for payment applied to the payment of the indebtedness hereby authorized, and of debt. shall not be applied to the payment of interest on the capital stock of said corporation until said indebtedness is fully paid. SEC 4. That nothing herein contained shall be construed as authoriz Property not to ing said joint-stock company to encumber said real estate for any other be encumbered purpose or in any other manner. otherwise. Approved, July 3, 1876. CHAP. 165.-An act to repeal section two thousand three hundred and three of the Revised Statutes of the United States, making restrictions in the disposition of the public lands in the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Florida, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section two thousand three hundred and three of the Revised Statutes of the United States, confining the disposal of the public lands in the States of Alabama, Missis sippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Florida to the provisions of the homestead law, be, and the same is hereby, repealed: Provided, That the repeal of said section shall not bave the effect to impair the right, complete or inchoate, of any homestead settler, and no land occupied by such settler at the time this act shall take effect, shall be subject to entry, pre-emption, or sale: And provided, That the public lands affected July 4, 1876. Post, p. 357. R. S., 2303, p. 424, repealed. Proviso. Public lands in by this act, shall be offered at public sale, as soon as practicable from Alabama, etc., to time to time, and according to the provisions of existing law, and shall not be subject to private entry until they are so offered. be so'd. SAMUEL S. COX. Received by the President June 22, 1876. [NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.-The foregoing act having been presented to the President of the United States for his approval, and not having been returned by him to the house of Congress in which it originated within the time prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, has become a law without his approval.] CHAP. 166.-An act to extend the time for filing claims for additional bounty under the act of July twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, which expired, by limitation, on January thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-five, until July first, eighteen hundred and eighty. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the time for filing claims for additional bounty under the act of July twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, and which expired by limitation on the thirtieth day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-five, be, and the same is hereby, revived and extended until the first day of July, eighteen hundred and eighty; and that all claims for such bounty filed in the proper department after the thirtieth day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-five, and before the passage of this act, shall be, and the same are hereby declared to have been, filed in due time, and shall be considered and decided without refiling. Approved, July 5, 1876. July 5, 1876. amended. CHAP. 167.-An act to amend section twelve hundred and twenty-five of the Revised Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United R. S., 1225. p. 215, States of America in Congress assembled, That section twelve hundred and twenty-five of the Revised Statutes of the United States be so amended as to read, "But the number of officers so detailed shall not exceed thirty at any time," instead of twenty, as in said section provided. Approved, July 5, 1876. July 5, 1876. Preamble. 1872, ch. 141, 12 Stat., 1111. CHAP. 168.—An act providing for the sale of the Kansas Indian lands in Kansas to Whereas the appraisement thus made was so high that neither set tlers nor purchasers were able to pay the same, and the said land has remained unsold from the passage of the act; Therefore, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That each bona fide settler on Bona-fide settlers any of the trust lands embraced in said act, heretofore reported as such on Kansas Indian lands may make by the commissioners appointed to make said appraisement, and the payment for their rejected claimants as bona fide settlers, who were recommended as such lands. by Andrew C. Williams, acting under instructions to superintendent Hoag, from the Indian Office, dated October, twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, be permitted to make payment of the appraised value of their lands to the local land-office at Topeka, Kansas, under such rules as the Commissioner of the General Land Office may adopt, in six equal annual instalments; the first instalment payable on the first of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, and the remaining instalments payable annually from that time, and drawing interest at six per centum per annum until paid: Provided, That where there is timber on any of the lands to be sold under the provisions of this act, the Secretary of the Interior shall require the purchaser to enter into bond, with approved security, that he shall commit no waste on the timber, or otherwise on said land until the last payment is made. When payable. Proviso, no waste on timber-lands. Remainder of How payment to be made. Boud to be taken where land is timbered. SEC. 2. That all the remainder of the trust-lands and of the undisposed portion of the diminished reserve shall be subject to entry at the local trust-lands subject land office at Topeka, Kansas, in tracts not exceeding one hundred and to entry by actual sixty acres, unless a legal subdivision of a section shall be fractional and found to contain a greater number of acres, only by actual settlers, under such rules and regulations as the Commissioner of the General Land Office may prescribe. And the parties making such entries shall be required to make payment of the appraised value of the land entered and occupied by each, in the following manner: One sixth at the time that the entry is made, and the remainder in five equal annual paywents, drawing interest at six per centum per annum, and the Secretary of the Interior shall withhold title until the last payment is made; and the Secretary of the Interior, where there is timber on the lands, shall, in addition, compel the purchaser to enter into bond, with approved security, to commit no waste by the destruction of timber or otherwise, on the premises, until final payment has been made; and the Secretary of the Interior shall cause patents in fee-simple to be issued to all parties who shall complete purchases under the provisions of this act: Provided, That if any person or persons applying to purchase land under the provisions of this act shall fail to make payment or to per form any other conditions required by the provisions of this act, or by payment. rules and regulations that may be prescribed in the execution hereof, within ninety days after such payment shall become due, or performance be required by the terms hereof, or by the rules and regulations which may be prescribed in the execution hereof, such person or persons shall forteit all rights under the provisions of this act, and all claim or right to reimbursement or compensation for previous action or payment by said person or persons under the provisions hereof; and the land proposed to be purchased by such person or persons shall again be subject to sale as though no action had been had in regard to the same. Failure to make Expense of, deducted. SEC. 3. That the Secretary of the Interior shall inquire into the cor- Re-appraisement, rectness of the appraisement of these lands; and if he be satisfied that when, etc. they have been appraised at more than their present cash value, he may appoint a new commission of three persons to re-appraise the same; the per diem and expenses of which, at the rates heretofore paid to such commissioners, shall be deducted from the proceeds of said lands. SEC. 4. That in preparing or giving their testimony, all settlers or purchasers of land under the provisions of this act may have such testimony taken, after due and legal notice to the opposing party in interest, before any notary public or personu qualified to administer an ed. oath, and may forward such testimony with their application to the land Testimony on part of settlers and purchasers, how taken and forward used. offices or parties authorized to dispose of said lands, which testimony SEC. 5. That the net proceeds arising from such sales, after defraying Net proceeds, how owned and the expenses of appraisement and sale, which have heretofore or may hereafter be incurred, and also the outstanding indebtedness, principal and interest, of said Kansas tribe of Indians, which has heretofore been incurred under treaty stipulations, shall belong to said tribe in common, and may be used by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, under direction of the President of the United States, in providing and improving for them new homes in the Indian Territory, and in subsisting them Residne placed until they become self-sustaining; and the residue, not so required, shall be placed to their credit on the books of the Treasury, and bear interest at the rate of five per centum per annum, and be held as a fund for their civilization, the interest of which, and the principal, when deemed necessary by the President of the United States, may be used for such purpose: Provided, that no proceedings shall be taken under this act until the said Kansas Indians shall file their assent thereto with the Secretary of the Interior at interest. Proceedings under this act, when to be had. July 6, 1876. Pile and ponton bridge may be built by city of La Crosse. How to be built. 1874, ch. 224, Width of pontondraw. Approval of plan by Secretary of War. Approved, July 5, 1876. CHAP. 169.-An act to authorize the construction of a ponton-bridge across the Mississippi River from some feasible point in La Crosse County, in the State of Wisconsin, to some feasible point in Houston County, in the State of Minnesota. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be lawful for the city of La Crosse to construct a pile and ponton bridge across the Mississippi River at some feasible point in La Crosse County in the State of Wisconsin, so as to connect with the opposite shore of the said river, in the State of Minnesota; said bridge to be built subject, except as herein modified, to all the terms, requirements, and limitations contained in the act entitled "An act to legalize and establish a ponton-railway-bridge across the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien, and to authorize the construction of a similar bridge at or near Clinton, Iowa," approved June sixth, eighteen hundred and seventy-four, so far as they may be applicable thereto. SEC. 2. That the bridge shall be constructed with one suitable ponton-draw of not less than four hundred feet in width, located over the main channel of the river: Provided, That said bridge shall not be built or com:nenced until the plan and spécifications for its construction have been submitted to the Secretary of War for his approval, nor until he shall approve the plan and the location of said bridge; and if any change be made in the plan of construction of said bridge at any time, such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War; and Changes in con- any change in the construction or any alteration of said bridge that may be directed at any time by Congress or the Secretary of War shall be made at the cost and expense of the owners thereof: And provided further, That the right is hereby reserved to Congress to alter amend or repeal this act; and in case of the repeal of this act, the bridge shall be removed without expense to the United States, and if this act be amended any change or alteration required of the bridge shall be without cost to the United States. struction. Right to alter, amend, or repeal. Alterations without cost to United States. July 8, 1876. Approved, July 6, 1876. CHAP. 172.-An act authorizing the Nebraska City Bridge Company to construct a ponton railway-bridge across the Missouri River at Nebraska City in Otoe County, Nebraska. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Ponton railway- States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be lawful for the transit and wagon Nebraska City Bridge Company, a corporation having authority from bridge at Nebraska the State of Nebraska and from the State of Iowa, its successors and City. Width of draw. assigns, to build, maintain, and operate a ponton railway-transit and wagon-bridge across the Missouri River at Nebraska City, in the county of Otoe, and State of Nebraska; and said company, its successors or assigns, shall keep up and maintain a suitable ponton-draw of not less than three hundred feet in length; and that said draw shall be opened Opening of draw. promptly, upon reasonable signal, for the passage of boats or rafts; but in no case shall unreasonable delay occur in the opening of said draw before or after the passage of trains; and the company, corporation, or individuals having the charge or control of said bridge shall, for the security of navigation, maintain, from sunset to sunrise, throughout the year, such lights on said bridge as may be required by the Light House Board. Lights on bridge. Use of bridge by Right of way for postal and telegraphic purposes. Charge for mails and troops. SEC. 2. That all railway-companies desiring to use said ponton-bridge shall have, and be entitled to, equal rights and privileges in the use of railway companies. the same, and in the use of the machinery and fixtures thereof, and of all approaches thereto, under and upon such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of War, upon hearing the allegations and proofs of the parties in case they shall not agree; and the United States shall have the right of way for postal and telegraphic purposes across said bridge; and no greater charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for the trans portation over the railroads or public highways leading to said bridge; and in case of any litigation arising from any obstruction, or alleged obstruction, to the navigation of the said Missouri River, created by the construction of said bridge under this act, the cause or question arising may be tried before the district or circuit court of the United States of any State wherein the obstruction exists. Suits for obstruction of river. Where triable. Amendment of Alterations sub SEC. 3. That the right to alter or amend this act so as to prevent or remove all material obstructions to the navigation of said Missouri act without liabilRiver is hereby expressly reserved, without any liability to the Govern-ity for damages. ment for damages on account of the alteration or amendment of this act, or on account of the prevention or requiring the removal of any such obstructions; and if any change be made in the plan of construction of said ponton-bridge, such change shall be subject to the approval ject to approval. of the Secretary of War; and any change in the construction or any alteration of said bridge that may be directed at any time by Congress or the Secretary of War shall be at the cost and expense of the owners thereof. Said bridge shall be constructed, as near as may be practicable, upon the line heretofore surveyed and established by the Nebraska City Bridge Company. Alterations, when to be made. Location. tion. SEC. 4. That any bridge authorized to be constructed under this act Regulations for shall be built and located under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigasecurity of navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall presertbe; and to secure that object, the said company or corporation shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, a design and drawings of the bridge, and a map of the location, giving, Plausof construcfor the space of one mile above and one mile below the proposed location, etc., to be subtion, the topography of the banks of the river, the shore-lines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the currents at all stages, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, the loca tion of any other bridge or bridges, and shall furnish such other infor mation as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of mitted. Bridge not to be the subject; and until the said plan and location of the bridge are ap- built till plan subproved by the Secretary of War, the bridge shall not be built Approved, July 8, 1876 mitted. |