The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-31

From thc Boston Posi-
senator Gwin.
Noticing the arrival OF this distinguished gentleman al
Panama has reminded " OF some 81 hs sis prominenl
services In The Senate Of the United States.
William d Gwin took bis seat on the lilh OF Sep,em-
be $780, within three weeks OF the close OF the long
and most exciting ssssion Of Congress that has trans
pred under our present foxm OF government The mem
bers were exhausted by their pTo,rscisd attendance aud
the appropriation bills There never was more unpro
pitious season 10 press leg saion upon CoDgres
yet Mr. Gwn, BY dint OF eless perseverance, succeeded
obtaining (amons other important laws) appropriations
for oatng dock basin and railway, hight houses
the coast OF California, had the collection d.c,
divided into Six and secured large appropriations for the
custom house. post office, the United States COURTS and
marine hospital at San francisco Al the next and short
session he had colleague in the Senate Col Fremont
having remained in California to canvass for selection
to that body II was during this session that his cee
braled contest with Col Benton occurred In regard the
large land claim in California. The principle Involved
IN that controversy whether there should be APP
peal from the board OF land commissioners TO the Su-
pTeme Court OF The United States Mr.. Gwin commended
thai there should be such right oil appeal and Col Ben
ton opposed il Mr. Gwin was sustained BY an immense
majority OF the Senate, and the bill sanconing his opn-
ions passed Congress. The whole country
knowledgrs the correctness OF Mr.. OWNS views. after
witnessing the universal confirmation OF claims examined
and acted by the board OF land commissioners appoint
ed during the last administration But Tor the right OF
appeal these decisions would be final, and nearly the
whole OF the agricultural and vast portion Of the min
ea oil the Slate would have been thus bestowed upon
these exobant claimants to the ruin OF thousands Of the
settlers Who occupy the lands thus claimed, believ
ing them 10 belong the public domain. SO general and
wellgrOunded the dissatisfaction and dslrust grow
ing out of the action OF this board of commissone that
OF the first acts OF President Perces administration
was TO remove them, and appoint others in their stead
During the session last mentioned, Mr. Gwin also cf-
fected the passage OF many other important
and among them extending the land laws to Cali.
fona, lby clause inserted in the general appropriation
BILLY He procured, addition the passage OF number
OF important bills through the Senate, which lost in
the House OF Representatives AT the commencement Of the
California in the Senate. the Legislature having failed
fill the vacancy Oceasi0ned by the expiration OF COL Free
mOnts term OF office. In the organization OF the com
mittees he placed at the head OF the Committee
Naval Affairs, and was also member oil the Commit
tees Finance and Territories Nothing could manifest
more clearly the high estimation in which he held
by bis associates 10 the Senate Tor never before
nembe: who had been less than four months engaged
The deliberations of that body selected for sach honor
able and responsible positions.
HIS subsequent career has fully vndcsted the pro-
prieiy Of The trust reposed in him. Tor he is unque.oa
ably the most laborous member of the Senate, and
knowledged by all TO be The most interchangeable and eff
cent advocate OF the interests OF his State that a
peared it's floor He has during The last CoDgress
malaIed more bills connected with his Stale and the com
mon interests OF his country and made reports than
before accomplished by any member in one
sion. his bills and reports would form good sized
volume.
AS debater be stands among the ablest in the Senate
and in force Of argument and ustness OF conception is
surpassed by His speech at the opening Of The
discussion Of the great national road question
akeaby the best that delivered that subject and
really the Of inducing the Senate and country
seriously consider the building railroad to the Pacific
practical proposition. His zeal in favor of this
ue kept alive when It's most ardent supporters
dIshearened by its condition. and his Efforts would have
been crowned with but for unfortunate differ
ence OF opinion, al the last moment among its friends,
as to whether any OF the government stocks, which
pended within The boundaries OF the States.
Among the numerous measures matufed by MIR. OWN,
aud passed the Senate may be enumerated 'tbe Caor
ola mint BILL" the "bill extending the pre- empon sys
em TO unsurveyed as well surveyed lands IN the
State, and removing other restrictions the State
donations for school purposes" amounting 10 millions
Of acres. the largest heretofore made any State es-
ablishng navy yard in San Francisco bay = 'doub-
ling the pay OF the officers, seamen and marines, who
served the coast OF California from 1876 up TO the
ferng In conqnerng the country and subsequent losses
sustained by the high prices oil all the OF lc
consequent upon the dcovery OF gold, sum liltle if
any, less than three millions OF dollars As in the former
Congress, many useful that Mr. Gwin had
cesded in pressing through Senate failed in the House
OF Representatives He twice obtained appropriations of
100000 for the expenses oil the State government Of
California from the date OF it's organization until the State
was admitted into the Union, but the House in each
| stance failed 10 approve il.
From the above hasiy and imperfect sketch it will be
perceived that MI. Gwn is not only invaluable TO his
own constituents, but is also emnenly valuable the
country at large Combined with nfexibiliiy OF pur-
pose which all obstacles impeding proper
course he 10 POSSESSED of comprehension OF political
subjects and grasp oil thought indispensable TO the
iuness and success OF American statesman OF the
| present age. In any national emergency which may
hereafter arise, Mr. Gwin will be expected by his
trynen to exercise q controlling influence and may be
relied (f his past history be regarded an index
10 his uiure) powerful and unnching champion OF
| the federal Union.