The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-11
REMARKS OF MN. GwIH,

Of by hundreds of millions OF acres to the of old
soldiers
REMARKS OF MIR. OWN.
I'm REJoINDER)
Mr. GWlN said: When alluded TO the remarks OF
the senator from Missouri with regard TO the number OF
persons in California who without land, did not
say that the senator from Missouri minated that these
persons wished to deprive the land claimants OF their
lands but that such inference might be drawn from
il. and met it in advance with flat contradiction
say still, that there hundred thousand persons in
California who have no land and agree with the
tor that of these hundred thousand there not one in
hundred who would wish deprive another person of
lust title TO the land which he may hold
In regard to the history which the senator has given OF
thu conquest OF California he may be correct; but that
question which do not wish to discuss. Ii is
ter which have not referred TO. and do not intend
20 into that subject at ALL do not wish TO detract from
the merit Of any individual who engaged in that
test Il exceedingly mertorious and perious
and have referred to ior the purpose OF saying tina,
consider il to be the duty OF Congress 10 pay those ind
have given notice of bill that will bring forward to pay
for the services rendered and money advanced by citizens
oCalifona 10 this government which should have been
Mr. President do not think it necessary to 90 into
review OF the objections made by the senator from Mis-
sour TO my bill He has to-day enlarged upon the obec-
tons which he had before made he has spoken at length
against my BILL and in favor of his have replied
70 him. and he has replied to me He has now brought,
then make motion, which consider ii my duty to do
after the discussion that has taken place this subject
With regard TO the remark that is something new in
the history of this government to have lawyers employed
to attend claims before boards of commissioners in
behalf Of the United States, will say that do not know
whether the word lawyer" is usually applied. but am
that persons have attended the interests of the
United States before these boards In the act of 1906
adiudicate land claims in louisiana three agents pro-
vided forone to attend each board OF commissioners,
and object to any claim which they thought invalid or
fraudulent In the act of the Sd March, 1897 settle
claims under the Chocaw treaty OF 1880, the commits
sioners were authorized to require the attendance of the
tattO he hoio
OF the commission. They called agents." and not
lawyers" in the act OF 1905. At the time they
the interests Of the United States do not think it ne
eessary to multiply pecedents because think the
sty Of having the aid Of the district attorney before the
board is clear enough without precedents.
Now, the senator supposed case, which was. that all
the people of California having land claims would be
quired 10 meet on the second Monday in May. or on
some other day that they would all be required to APP
pear before the board to vndcae their titles
and one place, and he referred to the alarm il would
ate in the country This all notwithstanding real
in it, The bill provides that the board shall meet such
times and places the President may direct, and the
claimants are not all required to meet at tme at
any one place Persons at all acquainted with Califo-
MIA will readily understand that there are ten places at
least where the board would be likely bold their
sions-San Diego Los Angeles, Santa Barbara San Luis
ad TSs psoes
have been, settled around these places part of
the ancient system Of settlement make the inhabitants
live in villages Very few will be found living far from
them. As they all have their residences the villages,
it would be easy 10 assemble the people and was ais
incy intmated in my bill that the board would meet al
named in the bill because think it best TO leave the
power with the President the places where the
board shall meet The senator lays stress upon this
part Of the bill than the circumstances justify 1t great
mistake to suppose that the people will be either dis
tressed oppressed, frightened by this bill The peo
pie OF that country are not SO easily frightened he sup
poses
And now let says word with regard to the act
confirming town lots In Missouri II was passed eight
lime the Jet bad been doubt thoroughly examined
am in favor Of confirming the bonn fde titles town
lots but want it done much summariy than the
senator proposes, and not be compelled to wait eight
years, a. was the case in Missouri Some of them are
very valuable if they DO not cover large extent of
ground What were formerly pueblos and villages
cities. and the most valuable property the face of
the globe 10 contained 10 some of these places.
took the 3th section OF the senator's substitute it
reads understood it to that all the villages in the
country were TO receive this donation There is dis
tncti0n in the words OF the section other sections
OF the bill referring to the subject OF villages The 81
section, well the It'll, refers directly the towns.
officers. well the Spanish and Mexican authorities
The distinction the senator now draws in his mind,
and not in the words OF the bill
A great many cities, towns, and villages have been
built up under the authority of acades, that have had
their existence since the conquest OF the country Hence
the inference drew was natural and legitimate one,
considering the wording OF the section. And why should
there be any distinction am in favor of making dona-
tons to all the towns and villages and put them an
eQuaLty nave general Dill on the subject which
hope will pass But am modest in my bl-do not ask
prncpaly for these towns and guard against specu
lators IN town sites on the public domain
did not IN my comments on the senator's bill allude
to actual occupants that were to be dspossesed alluded
to the fact that II there private claims such as SUIT
ers, Webers Valleos covering uneccuped portions
OF land around the towns and villages, the lands
covered by these similar claims be donated if with
in the four leagues square II 80, was violation of
private rights. unless the government Unidentified The
OF these lands; otherwise, the donations would
be worthless to the towns and villages
From the discussion which has taken place here the
remarks OF the senator from Missouri, and what | con-
ceived my duty to say in reply is very evident that
there 10 great difference OF opinion in regard TO the
manner in which these claims should be settled have
no prejudces. preconcsved opinions regard any
OF these claims. ] charge Of them with fraud
They have been charged but not by me. / do not
intsnd TO DO IT, wish tribunal TO Investigate them
know OF my own knowledge of no fraudulent claims,
though have heard OF some, and named in the
onc'a documents before us Therefore. in order that
the country may be satisfied shall move this The whole
subjectmy colleagues bill. TO which mine has been Of
fersd - . substitute, my own, and the senator's b-be
referred 70 the Judiciary Committee. want the opinion
OF the legal committee of the Senate regard to the pro-
visions Of the bill that have offered. and want the bill
offered BY my colleague, and the offered by the sena
tor froM Missouri, 70 undergo the same examination
am willing to abide by the decision Of that committee
believe II 10 necessary in the difference OF opinion
which exists in regard the mode of settling these
claims, that should have the authority of that enght-
ened COMMITTEES. l therefore move that the bill and
amendments b referred to the Committee the Judi
eiary.
The motion was agreed TO-