The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-05-22

The Homestead bill was then taken up.
in Committee of the Whole on the State
of the Union. The first section, as orig
inally reported, provided that every man
or widow who is the head of family, and
citizen of the United States, shall, from
and after the passage of the act, be enti-
tied to enter free of cost, one quarter Sec
ton of vacant and unappropriated land, or
a quantity equal thereto, to be located in
a body, in conformity with the legal sub
divisions of the public lands, and after the
same shall have been surveyed.
The Committee on Agriculture, to which
the bill was referred, reported an amend
ment to this section, confining the provis-
ion to those who were citizens on the Ist
of January, 1892, and who severally were
not the owners Of any land worth $500
who had not disposed of his or her land
for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of
the privileges of this act.
Mr.. Moore (of La. moved to strike
out the words, 'nor worth $780," believ-
ing that it would, if retained, be a strong
temptation to perjury, and create an in
vidious distinction. Besides, the poorest
class of men are not the most beneficial
to new settlements.
Mr.. johnson (of Tenn made an earn
est appeal to the friends of the bill, not to
embarrass it with amendments. Every
man could not have his own particular
views carried out. The object should now
be to commit the government to the great
policy, and remedy the defects hereafter.
Mr.. Moore's amendmet was adopted.
Mr.. Beale expressed himself against
the bill, viewing it as unconstitutional,
and opposed to the doctrines of the polit-
ical school of 1899, and the strict con-
struction Of the constitution.
Mr.. Sweetser was for giving lands, not
only to our own citizens, but to the agri-
culturists who may come hither from all
parts of the world.
Mr.. Stevens (of Pa. moved to strike
out the words, "and who has not disposed
Of his or her lands for the purpose of OBJ
tanning the benefit of this act.'' He re-
marked that the country would be in bad
condition, if settled altogether by paul
pers.
MIR. McMullen opposed the amendment,
saying that this bill was for the benefit of
the poor. The rich have advantages
enough already.
Mr.. Stevens amendment was adopted.
MIR. Parker (of la. } moved to strike
out the words, ''who is not the owner of
any land" which was agreed to. Thus
the entiremendment Of the Committee on
Agriculture was stricken out.
Mr.. Campbell (ofIll. } offered an amend
ment to the original first section, in effect
to give homestead to all residents, stri-
king out the word ''citizens.'' This was
debated and finally rejected.
Mr.. Allison proposed to amend, by not
confining the benefits to the heads of fam
lilies, because this would preclude bache-
lors; but the amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Clingman offered an amendment to
give land warrants to all citizens, whether
they settle on the soil or not. This would
put all on an equality. They who did not
choose to cultivate the soil can sell their
warrants, or keep them for their children.
He proposed to exclude members Of the
present Congress.
Mr.. Carter said that the gentleman from
North Carolina had gotten up this diver
sion with view of killing the bill. Some
had said that the measure is unconstitu-
tional, but this, in his opinion was pure
CANNON.
Mr.. Clingman's amendment was reiec-
ted-Ayes %, Noes SO.
Mr.. Sackett moved to strike out all lin
itations, and give lands to every citizen
Of the age Of 81 years.
This, after debate was rejected.
Other amendments were offered, and,
without disposing of the first section, the
Committee rose.
Mr.. Stanley moved that the Homestead
bill and the proposed amendment be prin-
ted, which was objected to.
Mr.. German said that, as the House,
to-day, has ordered the printing to be Civ
en- out to the lowest bidder, the Commit
tee on Printing would obey the ORDER
In the meantime, therefore, it was al
most unnecessary to order any more prin-
ting.
Mr.. Meade said, in view of the fact,
that in few days the Hall will have to
be put in a summer trim, he proposed to
introduce resolution that the Clerk cause
to be removed and sold all the chairs now
used by the members, and that he pro-
cure in in lieu Of them cane seats, without
arms. Objected to.
Mr. Johnson ARK. introduced res
oluton TO adjourn from the 18th TO the
18th May, in order to make summer ar
rangements in the Hall.
Mr.. Stanley wanted the resolution a.
mended to suit the time Of holding either
the Wing or Democratic Conventions.
Mr.. johnson accordingly changed the
time to lst of June and the Friday follow
ing.
Mr.. Gaylord moved the previous reso-
luton.
Pending the motion for the previous
question the House adjourned.