The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-02-20
Washington Correspondence.
To the Editor, dated
WASHINGTON D. c. Feb, 9, 1850.


donation of Land, to assist your young State in
Internal improvements is progressing very favo-
rably. The contemplated Road from Dubuque
to Keokuk, has many friends, and l have no
doubt, but your Senators and Representatives
will secure the wished-for bounty from the gov
eminent for that judicious plan of improvement
l find, also, that very many friends, are enlisted
for the Des Moines Rapids Improvement All
these things take time for dcliberation in Con-
gress.-Ths session has wasted away much val
liable time; bnt the members must only work the
more dligent, as the days lengthen, so that all
the lost time may be reganed, by their subse-
quent industry. You will see the various plans
devised by Senators to dispose of the public
lands within the limits of the States, and in the
Territories. All such schemes are well enough
when the nation is once free from debt. must
confess, however, that the gratuity is little too
liberal to those who have not assisted in the &C
QUESTION of the land, and is in this way some
what to the disadvantage of our own citizens
When actual settlers among our own citizens
are provided for, then we might travel to ''other
quarters of the world,' and search out and pro-
vide home "for the rest of manklnd,' with all
my heart; but this giving away our public do
main, other than to our own actual citizens and
actual settlers thereupon, and cultivators of the
soil, think little too liberal for the times; es-
pecially, as the present Wing party are crying
loudly and Justify of the deb, of the country be.
ing so enormously increased since the treaty of
peace with Mexico. Be just to ourselves first,
then generous to call the world,' and the Nor
mons also. Thpt is the best policy, and the SUI
There is not word Of truth in the assertion,
that the debt of the country has been increased
by the action of the last administration. The
late able Secretary of the Treasury will not be
below his estimates of the revenue for the fiscal
year, ending Both June, 1850. That estimate
left no deficit; and if the present conductors of
the Treasury will only be faithful to the data OF
Secretary Walker, and not so lavish in mprop-
er expenditures, or improper allowances, the
receipts will prove that the debt of the nation
should be curtailed, not increased Pay ingrati-
tude, Mcssrs. Editors, is bestting sin, of near
ly all the politicians in this ungrateful admins
tration. President Polk, ofhis own volition and
contrary to the advice of friends, patronized and
advanced Gen. Taylor, to important commands
in the Army And now he, Gen. Taylor, had
not the magnanimity to pay to his memory, a
word of passing notice; to whom, of all others,
he owes his promotion in command of the Army;
and as consequence, from the victories that
followed in the contest with Mexico, he reached
the Presidency.
Efforts will be made-indeed, have seen the
draft ola Bill for that purpose-to repeal the law
establishing the Department of the Interior
This Department is now presided over by Mr..
Ewing, of Ohio. 1t is we'll known to your read
crs, that MIR. Ewing is no favorite Of mine. But
notwithstanding my political opposition to him
there cannot be question Of this fact, but that
the establishment of the Home Department was
a judicous, and very desirable sub division of
duties in relation to the Treasury Department
And in addition to this, the amount of labor per-
formed by Mr.. Ewing-and duties, as they are,
of the most important character, there can be no
question, that to repeal the act would be again
devolving upon the Treasury Secretary those
onerous duties that have heretofore been per-
formed by his predecessors, and which have not
failed in the end, ofprostrating the physical abb
lily of those gentlemen that have presided over
that Department. Mr.. Meredith has as much
now to do as can be done well by any gentle
man; and we should regret to see him, like the
late Secretary, broken down in health by the la
Dor of Office The Home Department, We there
fore hope, will not be dispensed with. But, "a
Their confirmed, from its usefulness, in the affcc-
ton and fostering care of Congress. Since Mr.
Ewing had taken the control there, there is one
thing, at least, we can record in his favor, and
that is, that the gallant and war-worn soldiers
find in him an officer always prompt and willing
to extend to them relief without dclay.-This a.
lone, is very great improvement in the Pension
branch of the public service; which, from the
heavy duty performed by G. A. Edwards, and
from other causes, the applications of the soldier
has been much delayed heretofore, aid as con-
sequence, to his almost denial of justice by the
delay and expense attending his residence here
This is now obviated, in great measure, and to
Mr. Ewing the credit is entirely due Change
the name to what Mr.. Madison recommended it
should be called, and then let the Department
work its way to public faror. Every citizen un-
derstands the term "Home Department" be-
cause that is associated with what every man
enjoys; but this new term of "Department of
the INTERIOR is something like unto General
Taylor's message, plain, but simple, yet difficult
to be understood in the pluperfect tense, by the
crest of mankind
The Bill, as amended by Senator Jones, has
been reported to the Senate, for granting dona-
ton of land from Congress, to aid in the construc
ton ofyour Rail Road from Dubuque to Keokuk.
This Bill is very important one, indeed, for the
State of Iowa; but more particularly so is it to
your section of the State From the improve
ments making and projecting, Dubuque occu-
pies no unenviable position in the north west
We hope all your schemes may prove success
full; but should any fail, no faltering, industry
will be left untried to prevent any such result
Your Senator, and his colleague, will be instant