Mr. KASSON. I desire to call up the resolution Isubmitted yesterday in relation to mineral lands and which was not then acted on. I have modified it so that it is now a resolution of inquiry. The resolution was read, as follows: suRchenolcrdhThattho ComPubLands or other committee as shall haveohargcof the subJect. be instructed to inquire into the ox edieno of reporting for the action of the house a bi] to rezufiit mbrianciniigig on the public lands of the U.S. on the followind lprovisions in substance: I. That the feeof and sof the U.S., containing gold. silver, copperle, iron, or coal shall remain perpetual! in the U.S. unless divestedby virtue o wordsof an act of Congress, ox nrculy applicable to mineral lands. 2. That the privilege of discovering, developing and extracting the natural wealth of the mines shall be open and free to all citizens of the U.S., and to all aliens who shall have declared their intentions to become citizens: and the rights they shall acquire by Virtue hereof may be disposed of at will; but in both cues, of acquisition and of disposition, always subject to the regulations by this or by any subsequent not of Congress provided. 3. The actual discovererof any such mine or mineral deposit, to designateby suitable mark a point on the lode, or deposit, the center nndto be entitled to claim, occupy and develop, or dispose of One mineral section (or o aim) each way from the center without other cost to him than the foo of the recorder for recording his description of the lode or mine, and eer his claim thereto, and the sections and claims to It!!! consecutively numbered cacb way from the coner. 4. Each mineral section(or claim)to consist of 500 lineal foot, in the direction of the lode and feet on each sideof the lodo: Provided, In no caseto exceed 1/2 the distance to the nearest lode on eithersido thereof, whether discovered, or not at the time the claim is made or is transferred. In case of intersecting lodes, the claimant 1st working the intersection to work both lodes wherecomomed. but no further. 5. Cluimants subsequent to tho disooverer to be entitled to claim in the order of filing their claims with the recorder and on pnyment to the recorder. tor the use of the U.S and in addition to the recorders fco, of the sum of dollars for each claim, on anyone lode, to be allowed to be entered by the same person. 6. rnnsfers of claims to be by deed signed, acknowledged, and delivered, and stamped With the proper rovonuo stam, in the sumo manner as deeds of real estate, and suject to the samerevenuelaws, and to bevalid against innocent purchasers only from date of filin for record. 7. Record coke, and surveyors and recorders of mineral claims to be provided for and offices for the record thereof establishedin proper districts, compensation to be limited to fees, and the feesregulated. 8. All aims to mineral sections to be considered abandon d and to revert to flip U.S., and to become linble new to claim. if not opeped and development commcod in good faith within years from the filing of the claim, and if not thereafter worked continuously for qt least monthsin every year, whether by the original claimant or by any as signee; the new claimant in such casesof abandonment, to be allowed at his own request, and upon proper payment as before to file his claim. allegin abandonment and by what claimant abandon. Casesof contest to be decided by the courts, by the usual courseof law, and at the suit of either party to determine the right of possession. No chain pnment to be resumedin caseof successionto a claim by a perso under ago. after the death of the claimant of record, until the lapsoof time of abandonment alter attaining his minority. 9. The claimant in possession to make returns. Aafstseers deveclopment commenced. to the U.S. of the amount of gold and silver obtained, and of the quantity and valueofother valuableprod netsof his mineral sections, respectively, and of the actual cost of production of the same, md to pay on the not balance of value to the collector of t a trict ii tux equal to the income tax, for the tdimise being. fixed by law; and the amount of tax due the U.S. to be a lien on such mineral section until paid by the sumo, or a sullboquent claimant or assignoo. 10. These regulations to apply to all discoveries, and to all claims filed for record on apd nfter Janu nry 1. 18;and saving the r ht! of nssignces forvalno to all claims on lodes, of which the development in good faith shall not th enhave been commenced. at discoverers and claimants, and their assignecs who shall then have begun the developingntin good faith of mineral sectionsto which their claim isrceo nizedhs valid by the actual mining regulations in force in any miningdistrict, or havingsuoh claims on lodes actually developed. to be confirmed in the extent of the ir claims thusobtained; but otherwisesub icct to the samelimitations oftitle, payments duties and liabilities as if their several sectionsso obtained were new 1st obtained under thesq regulations and directly from the U.S.; original certificates of claims, as nlsoupon abandoned claims, to be issued by the U.S. 11. The CommrPubLands, under the direction of the SecyInterior to be charged with the administratipn of the laws regulating mines. und to be authorised to establish proper regulations to carry them into effect: except that so much as up lies to the returns and assessments and collection or revenuc purposes, shall be administered and regulations established by the commrIntRev e, under direction of the SecyTreasury and any fraud or deception in may in; returns for revenue par oses shall cause the forfcitnro and reversion to the U.S. of all the rights of the claimant guilty thereof, and the claim a ected thereb may t crciifler be treated as abandoned. 12. he paymentsfor claims, and the internalrevenuc collected on the mineral products aforesaid, shall be, so nratcly accounted for at the Treasury, und. until the Union Pacific railroad shall be completed, shall constitute nfund to be appropriated pro len to to the payment of interest iiecruin: on the bonds at t the U.S. issued or to be issued in aid of in wor.