Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-10-05

Mr.. DAWSON asked for the reading Of the amendment
as amended, and Il was read, as follows;
persons from Europe who shall produce testimo.
OF the United States of the State Of California and who shall
have in pursuance declared their intention become
citizens"
Mr.. DAWSON. will merely remark that persons from
Canada and the other British North American Provinces can,
not go there under that amendment.
The yeas and nays were then taken, and resulted
xEAsmMe.sr. Bell Benton Bright, Cooper Davis. Of
Norris. Seward, Shields. Smith, sOals. and WaIer-sI
Of Massachusetts, Dawson Fremont Greene, Gwio, Hunter
King Morton, Pearce, Sebastian Spruanse, Underwood
Wales, and Winthrop-lS.
section reads:
"See. find be further enactea That the said agents,
each within his district shall authority grant permits
produce Of good character to be lodged Of y
judicial officer of the United States of the
orna and who shall have OF law declared their
intention become citizens work the placers psbc land
by manual Labor and also work. by mining and
the mineral lodes veins occurring in the rock by machinery
driven by horse, power, and permit
shall specify for which kind Of mining it is granted"
Mr.. FREMONT. move to amend the bill by inserting
after the 18th section the following amendment
BE further saeted That Eve per cent Of the nett pro-
ceeds OF all received for permits under this shall
paid the State Of California, be applied the purposes
Of making roads and canals" @
Five per cent allowed States on the sale of
public lands If these lands were to be sold that amount
would go to the Stats Caornis under the existing law
but the United States about get money from these
lands by seng but by leasing them, and it equally
fair that the State should get taS amount Of the sum-
received.
This amendment was adopted ON division Ayes a.,
noes 3. a a
Mr.. FREMONT. have another amendment to offer.
move to insert after the Nth section the following
Sec. 15 BE enacted &c. That the provisions Of this act
hv
be extended to mines of silver and quioksilver.''
Tbs amendment was adopted
Mr. GWIN. have amendment which wish to Offer
One of the greatest obecons have this bill is the number
of agents be appointed by the President will move to
amend the bill by adding with the advice and consent of
the Senate after the word President Tin the fourth line Of
the first section.
MI. SHIELDS. How many agents ere there to be
Mr.. GWIN. The bill provides that twelve shall be ap-
pointed by the President
The amendment agreed to.
Mr. GWIN. There is another amendment which wish
to make. The salaries Of these agents fixed at 900
year and Eve per cent the amount collected and it is
provided that they shall not be concemedin working any
placer mine Now think that unjust exclusion. The
compensation not such will justify in accepting
office he has another occupation interest," do not think
will have any effect his agency that he should have
privilege Of being interested in the Mines and think that
restriction ought to be stricken out. therefore
amend the bill by striking out the fourth and fifth lines in the
tenlh section.
Mr.. BENTON. think it is Of the highest moment that
this agent who is settle all questions arising between other
miners shall himself only be free from all interest in the
questions but be in condition to give his whole time the
public service, and the compensation allowed is not suf
Gent, would be willing increase it by direct compensa
tion instead Of allowing him to take time for other purposes
1t will take all his tme and here would ask whether
these agents allowed mileage for travelling within their
districts
Mr. GWIN. No, sir.
Mr.. BENTON. Then thinkit ought to be- and before
the question taken the amendment Of the Senator from
California, will ask to be allowed to submit amendment
to that effect
Mr. GWIN. will withdraw my amendment for that
purpose. a4
Mr. BENTON. move, then, to insert after the Sd and
4th lines the following:
And be allowed ten mle for their necessary
Yelling within their respective districts"
Mr.. JONES. How many agents are there to be
The PRESIDENT. There are to be twelve but that is I
dihsrent part Of the bill.
Mr.. SHIELDS. would suggest that the number Of
agents ought to be reduced
Mr. ATCHISON. would like to have an estimate of |
he probable amount of salary that these agents will get
it is difficult to give accurate estimate but have
made calculation and estimate that they, will receive
nearly 600 year each for the per cenage the amount
collected and suppose they make the other So
travelling expenses, which will give them $4,000 year
Now prefer giving them salary, say &c. OOo 1000
200, which, for twelve gentlemen would amount
prefer fixed salary to the floating salary
made up Of per cenage and mileage shall therefore move,
this amendment does not prevail that their salaries be fixed
It $40, 900 each.
Mr.. BENTON think there is reason in the suggestion
II colleague. think there ought to be line taken
be amount receivable both for per cenage and mileage.
something about this matter. If the agent is good
,orseman, he will travel too much and receive unreasonable
If the contrary he is bad hoseman and
likes remain quiet and take his ease he will about
am in favor Of giving them mileage, b would limit
he amount. would limit the per centage they
hall receive to 600 year and the mileage to 900,
making IS, 900 in all.
The PRESIDENT. The question is on the amend
nent to give the agents mileage at the of per
nile.
Mr.. BENTON modified bis amendment by adding thereto
mot to exceed 81, 900 year."
The smendment carried division, ayes IS, noes
lot counted.
Mr.. SHIELDS. will now move to reduce the number
4 agents to six. think twelve quite toolarge number.
Mr.. BENTON. Consider the extent Of country over
which they have to operate.
The amendment adopted
Mr.. FELCH. wish then to ascertain, as this merely
temporary provision to itself very intimately with
ne disposition of the public lands, question Of vast mpor
ance and in this particular instance of California of more
Importance than hereoforewhat the particular evil is
which this bill is ntendedo remedy Understand that those
vho work the mines have had difficulty with our Govern
nent every body in and occupies where he peases
wish know whether this bill is merely for the purpose Of
eguatng and keeping harmony and peace among the
Who work the mines and pucers themselves, whether il is
Intended go beyond that understood the Senator from
california Mr FREaoST to refer to that the true object
4 the bill. He will perhaps inform me if it is If
o. then desire to offer amendment which will relate to
be whole merits Of the BILL for that we are
he to state my for thinking if had time.
SEvERAL SENATORS Go now.
Mr.. BENTON. The bill came up to-day for the frstI ,
me, and as It is about TO be reported the Senate