Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-07-28

As great interest is felt in the Homestead
Bill so called, which recently passed lower
House Of Congress, we extract from tina pro-
ceedings of the Senate of date July 9th. the fol-
lowing remarks of Senator Felch; MIR. Chase,
of Ohio having inquired whether report upon
the bill might be expected soon:
In answer TO the inquiry of the Senator from
Ohio will state that the bill to which he refers
Immediately after it was referred TO the Com
miitee on Public Lands, was sent TO the Land
Office for information on the subject. We saw
at once that important changes in the whole
land system, if not an overturning of that sys-
tenn, would follow the proposed legislation, and
it was hot necessary to obtain ;nfofmaiionin
regard to its practical working before we went
on. An answer was returned from the Depart
ment towards the end of week before last but
an interruption has occurred in the business of
the committee, in consequence Of the death of
one Of our members Previous to that event,
we took up the subject and gave it some con-
sideration but further action has been delayed
by the absence of a member (M Underwood)
on duty with which the Senate is fully ac-
quainted. We are obliged to await the return
Of that Senator, as he intends to propose some
amendments to the bill. can only say that
we are anxious to act on the bill, and have lost
no time in considering it, and Immediately after
the return Of the Senator from Kentucky, will
be prepared to report bill. trust that we
may be enabled to do so next week.
Mr. Chase was aware myself that the chair
man of the committee, were not chargeabe with
any unreasonable delay in the discharge Of the
duties devOvng upon them. was, however,
very DESTROYS TO have some assurance on the
part of the chairman that this bill would be re-
ported upon at an early day. There is no mea-
sure at present before Congress in which the
people of my State take deeper interest than
they do in relation to this bill--an interest
which profoundly share.
ELEAZER DoNNELLY and GEO. w. l.. Fox,
held in Jail under an indictment for burning the
Tannery Of CHAs. w. TAYLOR, and SILAs H.
MATTEsoN, detained as a witness, made their
escape on Friday evening last. About nine
o'clock the sheriff entered the Jail for the pur.
pose of locking the prisoners into their cells
The door from the office leading into the Jail
opens into the south aisle, between which and
the north aisle there is another heavy door,
The prisoners were all on the north side of the
Jail, and the sheriff, after locking the door into
the office, which is fastened on the inside, by a
paddock, stepped into the north side of the Jail
to lock up prisoner who had his cell there,
and entered, Fox, Donnely and Matteson saun-
tered along into the south side, as if going to
their cells. Just as the jaiIor was turning the
key upon the prisoner Briggs, he heard noise
at the Jail door, and going in that direction, he
found the door between the north and south
asles fastened. The prisoners succeeded in
opening the door leading to the office and pass
ed from thence to the street. A block into
which the staple of the paddock was driven, was
fastened to the door by four screws, three of
which had been sawed off, leaving it fastened
by but one screw. This was easily broken.
The fact that the trial of these escaped pri-
soners, would have come off, at special term
of court, which Judge Martin announced he
should appoint for that purpose, at an early
day, doubtless rendered these prison birds
somewhat anxious to flee from the justice we
think, awaited them.
Grand Rapids Enquirer.