The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-08-19
MONDAY MORNING, AUGUST IA, 1854.
Land Grant Repealed T!

strikes death blow to the Railroad prospects |
If Minnesota for the present, and perhaps for
wenty years hence. Our land grant for rail-
'oad purposes is repealed! This is result
We have all the while feared from the "agita-
ton" Of questions growing out of the grant by
the newspaper press of the Territory, and such
was the tenor of the first article we wrote upon
the subject some weeks ago. The "agitators"
have done the business and we congratulate
them upon their success! They wanted no rail-
road unless they and their friends could snake
money" directly out of the lands granted-not
out of the road itself. They wanted
a 'bonus" out of the lands, whcrcwith to en-
rich their own pockets; they have now flesh
less bone to feast upon, and we trust they will
may follow.
1t is wise thing in rulers sometimes to re-
buke naughty aud prcsumptuous people-a
people who are dependent upon the favors of
the governing power, but are too proud and
naughty to appreciate a great favor bestowed
upon them. Minnesota, and particularly St.
Paul have had too much done by Congress to
advance their prosperity. Like an indulgent
father, Congress has showercd it's favors upon
us until some Of our people and majority of
our editors have been led to suppose they had
the patcrnal estate all in their own hands, and
could DO just what they pleased with it. They
wanted no railroad built by the means of for
eign apitalists-thcy (the poor bcggarsD want
ed the lands, and they would build the road.
Now they have got neither lands nor road-a
natural result flowing from the course pursued
by five out Of the six of their prcsses-and we
hope they are contcntcd.
We cannot find whether or not the Home
stead bill, with the Houston amendment. has
passed Congress. If it has, st Paul's "cakc is
dough- and no mistake. Under that bill q
railroad which is already located from Hudson
Wisconsin, to the mouth of Left Hand river,
can come in and take alternate sections of land
ten miles on either side of the road. 1t matters
little with the capitalists who proposed to
build our road whether they strike the navi-
gable waters of the Mississippi at Hudson or at
st. Paul.
The bill to repeal our grant passed the House
on the Sd, and the Senate the same day. Mr..
Breckenridge, in the House. as We learn from
the Galena Jcflcrsonian of Wednesday, read
the report of the majority of the committee APP
pointed to investigate the alterations in the
text of the bill. The report states that the al
tcration was made by the direction Of John W.
Forney, the clerk Of the House. The commit
&oo rooommou,Jol tho roctoro tiou IF fbo orir;
al language of the BILL and the enactment of a
supplementary clause declaring the true mean
ing of the law. This report was signed by
Breckenridge, Davis and Barry.
Mr.. Campbell made the minority report
"First, That the alteration was made in the
bill subsequent to its cngrossmcnt, and the al
iteration 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 Representatives. Secondly, The al
teration was made by Mr.. Sproulc. the House
en9rossing clerk. by authority and under the
direction Of Col Forney. said Sproule having
previously refused to make the alteration. -
Third as to the circumstances under which the
change was made, the testimony is yet incom-
pletc and therefore they do not deem it prop
cr to express an opinion as to settling wilful
fraud on any party.
In order to do justice to all parties, they
think the evidence should be withheld till the
examination is completed They do not en-
tircly concur in the bill reported by the major
ity. In their opinion the third section of the
Minnesota Land act should be repealed and a
provision substituted which will place the lands
granted under the legislatures Of that terrific
ry, hereafter to he chosen, by transfer of this
important power to the Governor and other of
ficers appointed hy the Executive This was
due to the principles Of popular sovereignty.
No proof had been taken nor any reason elicit
cd to believe that the alteration was made with
q design to pcrpctratG fraud or wrong. or cor
rupt or criminal purposes used to aid the pas
sage Of the bill. While they do not condemn
the motives for the alteration, they condemn
the act and it is for the House to say whether
they will take action OH the subject
The report is signed by Mr.. Campbell. Mr.
Simmons concurring in the report. but prefer
ring the action recon rcnded by the majority.
The report concludes with 4 resolution that the
Select Committee be directed to continue their
Investigations at the next session of Congress
Subsequently. on motion of Mr.. Breckcn-
ridge, the report and evidence were ordered to
be printed, by o vote of % to 70. And shortly
aftcrward, on motion Of Mr.. Craige, of Louis
lana, the .Nianrscta Lend Bill ,raS repealed !
Mr.. Hunt La.} rose to question of priyiI-
cgc, and offered the following resolution.
Reso'rtd. That John W. Forncy, Clerk of
this House, by directing and causing to be
made al alteration in the House bill No. 3l3
aiding the territory of Minnesota in the con-
struction of railroads therein mentioned in the
report OF the Special Committee, has falsificd
the record of the House, in violation of parlia-
mentary law and his sworn duty; and that the
said John W. Forney should be and is hereby
removed from the Office of Clerk of this House
Mr. DINsEY [Ohio,l raised the point that this
was not question Of privilege, which the Spea-
kcr Ovrrruled.
Mr.. IiUNr said this was matter which con-
Germs the honor and the character Ofthe House.
and the integrity Of the proceedings in which
all participate. Mr.. Forney is well informed
and experienced officer, knowing we'll Parlia-
mentry law and the business of the Clerk of
the House. With this knowledge and exper-
fence. he has knowingly and deliberately caus-
ed to be made classification OF the record. He
did not look to the motives Of the Clerk. but
to the alteration of the law. which the House
has thOu Oht prOncr to rpnco1 in conspnucncp -