The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-22


land district in the State of Wisconsin.
MT W. remarked that this amendment moth
ing more nor less than to create another land office
In the State of Wisconsin He regretted that he had not
map to show the situation of the land offices in that
State. They had now four land offices--one at st.
Oroix, another at Milwaukee, third at Green Bay,
and the fourth at Mineral Point This left a large
section lying in the northwestern portion OF the State,
in which were now sold more public lands than
in any other district and, in fact more than in any
other two distrctsa tract extending to the ST. Croix
river The State being in an infant condition, there
were no improved roads in that sectionthe government
never having done anything to improve them. There
was scarcely any opportunity tor the people, who
anxious to settle upon these lands, to get the place
waere the purchase TO be made, without making
the circuit of the Mississippi river down through
Prairie du Chen Mineral Point unless they came
through the unbroken country where there no
roads. He felt averse TO making any opposition to
the removal of the land office from Wisconsin TO Mi.
nesota Minnesota was somewhat peculiarly situated
The st Croix river formed itself into lake in that
gon and the inhabitants had to pass this lake to the
lake. to get at the land Office Under these circumstances
he did not feel that he would be doing Justice say that
was not proper to remove the land Office but he would
reard the sale of public lands in Wisconsin in the
largest land district there But while he would acty con-
sent to the removal OF the land Office he wished another
land district to be created in Wisconsin This the amend
men which he offered proposed to do 1t proposed give
the usual authority for The appointment OF register and
cever 1t did not propose point at which this Office
should be located but had avoided that and for this rea
son: There seemed 10 have been difference of opn-
ION with regard to its location and he not sufficiently
acquainted with the different points to be able fix upon
point which would be satisfactory to all He would
leave that with the President that he might inquire into
the proper Locations that it might be such as the people
desired He would therefore ask the Senate pass the
amendment for II did pass he thought there would
be great injustice in the removal Of the land office
Mr.. BRt.ES remarked that he had not supposed that
this amendment would be offered He hoped his friend
would not encumber the bill, but that he would let the
land office be chang I'd from the falls of ST. Crox the de-
partment recommended He did not apprehend that there
would be any dmnution in the sale of the public lands
in Wisconsin in consequence of the removal That part
east OF the river was in the State OF Wisconsin, and
would form new district 1t had been formed, and
the books had been opened for that purpose He hoped
the senator would withdraw his amendment.
Mr.. WALKER said that the very fact to which the
senator had alluded showed the necessity of the Senates
taking such action as he (Mr. w desired II
ndisputabIe that in the General Iiand Office it was
designed that this portion of the State of Wisconsin
should constitute another land district 1t must neces-
sany be done The question was now up, and why not
put the amendment He must say that he could not
but feel it his duty oppose the bill this justice could
not be done TO Wisconsin. Mr. w. alluded to the i'm.
portaon of land officers from another State into Wis
consn and remarked that he thought that his State
could furnish competent persons for that Office any
other He saw reason why these land officers should
be taken away from the State of Wisconsin lie desired
that Justice should be done to the settlers of that State,
and hoped that the Senate would not take from them
their land ofice and place it in Minnesota, without CIV
ing Them another.
The question being taken upon the amendment, it was
agreed to,
The bill then reported to the Senate and the ques-
hon being upon concufrlng in the amendment
MIR. BUTLER understood the amendment a very
important one, and felt bound consent to its pass
age without reference to committee.
Mr.. DODGE said he hoped the amendment offered by
the senator from Wisconsin [Mr. WALKERl would pre-
vail. He knew that additional land office would be
greatly needed to accommodate the people of northern
Wisconsin, it tho one now located at the falls Of St
Croix were removed TO the town of Saltwater in Mine
sofa; and he hoped that it would BE- The accommoda
ton of the people in that section of the country would
be, greatly Increased by changing the site of the
Office to Saltwater. No gentleman who would cast
his eye upon map of that country, could fail to per-
ceve the necessity for the Office asked for by the gentle
man from Wisconsin. But the senator from South Caro-
of the office asked for That is ordinarily good grounds
Of opposition to measure. but not so in this case
The session of Congress IS now rapidly approximatng
its close; and if the Office not crea-
ted, it would not be for at least another year The
chairman of the Committee Public Lands, mir
BREEsE,] than whom there is no member OF this body
Wig liant in attending to the matters which belong TO
his committee better informed 10 the wants OF the eo
pie Of the States and Territories has told you that the
proposed office is hnquesionaby needed and will no doub,
be established at the next session OF Congress Mr.. d.
would hazard the assertion that there not single
member of the Committee on Public Lands who would
not concur in this opinion of their chairman. Then why
give this amendment the goby Why defeat measure
acknowledged to be emnenty demanded by the exigep
ces of the public service, because it has happened
not to come before this body in the usual man;
ner? He trusted it would not be done. Let the bill
and amendment pass Let them 60 to the House
of Representatives; and if, as has been suggested
by some gentlemen. information from the Commissioner
of the General Land Office be required, the committee of
the House confer with that officer on the subec.
Mr. ID. said he went Tor Wisconsin and Minnesota both
but if there to be but office, and fight for that,
he the side of Minnesota, because she weak,
dependent, and without voice vote the floor of the
Senate.
Mr.. WALKER desired the senator from Iowa, who
had been surveyor general IN that district, to bear eS
mony to the importance of the amendment.
Mr. JONES fully concurred with the views expressed
by the senator from Wisconsin the propriety and
necessity of establishing this land Office Citizens
residing in Wisconsin at from fifty TO hundred miles
times three hundred miles to the land Oice to which the
government plats returned, and chere the lands
offered for sale He would also state that the people
Wisconsin beyond the limits OF the St Crox land office,
and who at great distance from that at Mineral
Point, the at Green Bay desire the establishment of
lately surveyed the country under him, and with others
who well qualified TO Judge OF the propriey and
necessity thereof he had uniformly been assured of the
proprety of removing the land Office from the falls down
10 Saltwater, to some other point accessible by
steamboat navigation He hoped, therefore, that the bill
as amended would pass, that both objects may be at
tanned, and the welfare of the people, and government
too, be thereby greatly promoted When he first heard
of the location OF the land Office at the falls, he expressed
the opinion that it would remain there longer than
until the people could be heard upon the subject of its
removal.
MIR. BUTLER did not know that he had any objection
to the amendment, but he objected the mode OF intro
ducing amendments unexamned bya committee He did
not wish vote blindy uron a matter which had not
gone through the ordinary form OF reference to com
mittee.
Mr. DOUGLAS was not certain where this land office
ought TO CO. but he 1t ought to be removed IRON
St Crox either TO St PauFs, Saltwater some other
Doint He was in favor of the bill, and the object pro-