Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-08-15

LA1ESx NEws-
REPEAL or THE aIHNEsorA LAND sILL.
Hon. Thsnas Dsasea Dsies1ss-Ke.nss, whis. elect
Few. esne Congresses md Gsvernsr.
Riss 1t ~ Lsuis-ssveral Men Killed!
Aajs.rnnsns 4 Censrsss-Reeisn News-Isens.
The Nominee arrived on Saturday night bring
ing large mail, the first in four days. The news
will be found important, principal of which is the
repeal of the Minnesota Land Grant, In ,conse-
quence of the fraud attempted on Congress by
1nprincipled knaves. We hope our delegate, II.
NJ Rice, will be able to explain this matter to his
constituents, and to fasten the crime the guilty
heads of the perpetrators Of the deed. s,,
1t is source of rejoicing to the Wings that
Iowa has spoken out SO nobly against Nebraska
and Slavery-against rum and rowdyism. The
ball has commenced rolling it roll on until
demogogues and doughfaces shall feel the force of
its power.
The veteran Benton has been defeated, but his
victor is one of the oldest and best men of Saint
Louis-an excellent Wing. We shall not weep
over his election.
| It seems from indefinite information that France
and England intend to NEEDLE with the late Grey
town affair, in what manner has not yet been de-
| veloped. SD
From the Galena Jefersonian.
| REPEAL OF THE MINNESOTA LAND BILL
On the Sd inst, Breckenridge in the House
of Representatives, read the report of the
majority of the committee appointed to in
vestigate the alteration in the text of the Mime
sofa Land Bill. The alteration, it will be remem-
bered, consisted in the substitution of the word
ssand' for the word 'sor,' which in effect cou-
ferred the land granted to Minnesota, upon COM
pany chartered by the Legislature of the Terrific
ry at its last session; thus defeating the inten-
ton of the House, as expressed in the language
of the original bill. The report states that the
alteration was made by the direction of John W.
Forney, the clerk of the House, who is, unjustly,
we think, acquitted of any intention to commit
fraud. The committee recommended the restora-
ton of the original language Of the bill, and the
enactment of a supplementary clause declaring the
true meaning of the law. This report was signed
by Breckenridge, Davis and Barry.
Mr.. Campbell made the minority report:
"Frst, That the alteration was made in the bill
subsequent to it's engrossment, and the alteration
was not merely clerical but material, completely
changing one Of its most important features. The
bill, as it passed the Senate, and now law, has
never been acted ON by the House of Representa-
tives. Sec >ndly, The alteration was made by
Mr.. Sproule, the House engrossing clerk, by au-
thority and under the direction Of Col. Forney,
| SalQ oprOule having previously reluseu u mdka
the alteration. Third, as to the circumstances
under which the change was made, the testimony
is yet incomplete, and therefore they do not deem
it proper to express opinion as to settling will
full fraud on any party. oG
In order to do justice to all parties, they think
the evidence should be withheld till the examina-
ton is completed. They do not entirely occur in
the bill reported by the majority. In their opin-
ion, the third section of the Minnesota Land act
) should be repealed, and a provision substituted
, which will place the lands granted under the Lee
gislature OF that Territory, hereafter to be chO-
sen, by transfer Of this important power to the
Governor and other officers appointed by the Ex-
ecutive. This was due to the principles of popu-
! lar sovereignty. No proof had been taken nor
any reason elected to believe that the alteration
was made with design to perpetrate fraud or
wrong or corrupt or criminal purposes used to aid
the passage of the bill. While they do not con-
dcmn the motives for the alteration, they condemn
, the act; and it is for the House to say whether
they will take action On the subject.
The report is signed by Mr.. Campbell, Mr.
. Simmons concurring in the report, but preferrng
the action recommended by the majority. The
/ report concludes with resolution that the Sc
, lect Committee be directed to continue their in
| vestigatioDS at the next session of Congress.
Subsequently,, on motion of Mr.. Breckenridge,
the report and evidence ordered to be print
ed, by vote of 95 to 70. And shortly afterward,
, On motion of Mr.. Craige, of Louisiana, the Min
mcsota Land Bill vas repealed! Yeas los, Nays
So.
Thus, the land jobbers and spectators have
brought upon their own heads the catastrophe that
they feared, viz, the loss of the magnificent do
main which they thought to grasp. Their rascal
itv, operating through the convenient Forney, has
overreached itself, and they are high and dry upon
their beam ends.
In relation to this matter We do not understand
how FOrney was so easily white-washed. He is
known to be a lying and corrupt hound, purchase
BILE for any infamy-lending himself indi6erenty
to the foues political plots, to the furtherance
of the efforts of like, or, if possible meaner
man, for the seduction of a friends wife, There
are but two horns upon which he can hang. If
he pleads ignorance of his duties as the servant
of the House, he is unfit for the place he fills if
{ he will admit that he was purchased to corrupt
: and falsfy the record entrusted to his care, he
should be unceremoniously dealt with like any
other perjured scoundrel. But, justice in the
House is not the same quality as that worshipped
in the outside world, among men who have not
: been spoiled by too intimate association with the
concentrating influence of political life. This
e case is not wholly disposed Of.
| Mr.. Hunt (La.) rose to question of privilege,
and off red the follow ng resolution:
Resolved, That John w. Forney, Clerk of this
House. by directing and causing to be made an al
teration in the House bill No. 343 aiding the Ter
ritory of Minnesota in the construction of rail-
roads therein mentioned in the report Of the Spe-
. | clil committee, udS ldlSlucu INT IcCOrU tuiS
House, in violation of parliamentary law and his
9 sworn duty; and that the said John w. Forney
should be and is hereby removed from the office
of Clerk of this House.
Mr.. Disney, (Ohio,) raised the point that this
was not question Of privilege, which the Speak
4 or overruled.
Mr.. Hunt said this was matter which concerns
the honor and the character of the House, and
the integrity of the proceedings in which all par
ticpate. Mr.. Forney is well Informed and ex-
Q perienced officer, knowing well Parliamentary law
and the business of the Clerk of this House.
With this knowledge and experience, he has know.
ingly and deliberately caused to be made falsi'
fcation of the record. He did not look to the
motives of the Clerk, but to the alteration of the
l law, which the House has thought proper to re-
peal in consequence. The House owe it to them
selves to remove the Clerk, who is no longer wor-
thy Of their confidence.
Mr.. Stephens (Ga.) opposed the resolution
The report, he said shows not the slightest inten-
ton of Mr.. Forney to commit the least impropri-
ety-much less fraud.
Mr.. Orr Is. C.) likewise thought there was no
occasion for the passage of the resolution as Mr..
Forney had been released from suspicion Of fraud
ulent purpose.
Mr.. Campbell (Oho) remarked, that under all
the circumstances, it weud be an act of injustice
to take hasty action on the resolution, calculated
t< n~k