The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-08-03

CoRRr PTToNs AT WAsmSGToN.-The
question raised the other day in the House
of Representatives about alterations made in
the Minnesota Land bill aftcrit had passed
the House, says the STATE Journal, islikely
is disclose to the people some of the corrup-
tons at the seat of Government. This bill
as W rccolleet it, gives, to Minnesota a
large amount Of land to aid in the construc-
Ition Of railroads. Since its construction,
companies have been hastily organized on
the usual speculative basis of such opera
tons 10Y a-days, to wit, to build roads with
other peoples money; and that they might
be brought within the provisions Of the bill
certain lille alterations were necessary
such as substituting land for or, and some
othertrJfing changes, just to suit specula-
tors, but which could make no difference
with the Government, which was bound to
be cheated any wayi In the course ofthe
debate it appeared that a resolution, fixing
the compensation of officers Of the House,
had been altered. 1t seems that FoREEY,
the Clerk ofthe House, is somo way mixed
up with the alterations of the land BILL
This Forncy is one of the Presidents
kitchen cabinet, aad is known as a precious
scamp from his coanec.ion with the Forest
divorce case. The following confession Of
Mr.. STEVENS, ofMichigan, will throw a lit
tie light o Il the manner of doing the public
business. Is it not time honest and capable
men were sent to Washington?
Mr.. Stevens, OF Michigan, rose 10 a personal explana'
ton with reference to the subject on which a special
COMMITTEES had a short time since boon ordered to be
I appointed. Ho Intended to make his statement or
honor. after tho Minnesota Land bill had been ssntt
The committee on Public landS, oil (which he Isl mem
ber, 1t was referred to him for his individual action
upon it,. GsRtleman whn were connected with them
called on him and requested that certain alteration:
might BE- mado in the THRU section befors be returned
tbs bill - tho committee. The alterations desired
wsro explained. One o them was to effect the sub
lJeet oflegislation In Minnesota In relation to land'
granted by Congress, and he with his own hands struck
from the original bill tho word ~''future." The othel
was tho altoratlon ofthe word "or'' to sand" and b.
J thought proper 1t should BIZ made, and no supposed BIZ
4 made 1t. He presented the bill with some explanation
to tho committee on Public Lands, which approved 1t
, He then reported Ito the HouSs. 1t passed, and wa
I oSut w u ocuAsSs AilcE Bcttlub tuJIci w dlLSutiOl
was called to tho bill. II was remarked ths alteration
G which he said he mnds bo did make, or that the bill
did not contain the alteration.
y He conferred with one or two gentlemen Of the Sen
e ate, and told them frankly when he reported the bill
10 the Committee on Public Landslide made the alter
l atlons, orinlended 10 do so. Subsequently, ono O
a tho Senato Clerks came to him In the lobby froutinl
the cantrsdoor. He meant GeneTa! Patton, who he'll
q out the bill, aud, pointing out the third section, aske
him whether II was right. To which he (Stevens1 re
piled that II was not right as 1t passed from the commit
O toe on the public landssand according to bis recolleC
? ton, he further said: You will and It tfyou took at tn
original drafl tho word "andn instead Of ''oTn Is therc
He went 10 the desk OF the engrossing oIcrk OF tn
House (SproleO where the matter was lake. over. II
there stated no had supposed ho had made the altera
n ton 10 the original draft and he voted for the bill O
" thus amended. The qusstion came up as 70 wbethc
r tho alteration could bo mado aud several Senators sal
6 II was n moro verbal alteration and they freluentl
; made ~Such-[Cries, "Give their nameS'-"Give thci
q uames."l He would not givo them rs those gentle
men are not implicated. He would do what was hoI
= orable, but would go NO farther. The matter was ad
journed to Colonel Porney's room, where he made
similar statement.
e Mr.. Forncy said he did not know whether the bi
could be altered, but Mr.. Patten said we ~frequcntl
mads such Alterations. WheroupOa Nr. Porney II
marked; ut would be bottor then thealtOrat!on shoul
j DO made" Ho (Stovcns) loft, and the alteration WI
u made In consequence Of what bud taken place. II
n wished to withhold nothing, but 10 state the facts, hov
ever much he may hSve erred. Ho wished to state thci
frankly. Ifh. bad sinnod II was al. error OF Judgmon
nothing more.
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