The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-04


of Michigan, ard Honorable George w.
Jones, of Iowa; and l think another
senator had a conversation with me on the
subject hut am rot sure, and can't name
him. spoke first to Mr. Stuart on the sub
lect, and think that Mr. Jones spoke first
to me. To Mr.. Stuart | mentioned the fact
that L had beard that the bill, as it came
10 the House, was different trom the one
mat passed. the Committee on Public Lands;
ana speaking of the difference, asked him,
IN regard to the alteration or change of the
'hli as 10 whether it could lie done in the
committee Of the Senate, CT in any way
without Icing made the action of two hor-
ses; these may not lie my exact words, but
! tie substance of what said. We had con-
siderable conversation on the subject of Tie
alteration, and Mr.. Stuart mentioned some
instances where slight changes had been
made. In this case the bill was not before
lis at the time. Mr.. Stuart gave no decided
opinion Oh the subject, as to whether it
could be altered or not without the action
OF the two houses; but said that, when the
bill came up for consideration in the Gem.
mittce on Public Lands in the Senate, lie
would examine it. ! think this is the SUI
stance of ali that has been said by Mr.. Stu
art On tie subject, aud very much alike
each time.
think Senator Jones spoke first to nc,
as l have stated before, and called nv at
tentlon to the subject of tie words Ger, and
''cmd," i'll the third section of the BILL He
asked me how the bill passed the Commit
! mi Al I
to him, as stated in the House on Monday.
that l intended to have erased the word
| ''of' and insert ''Gnd" Some conversation
passed between It's in relation to having Il c
bill corrected, and as how it could be done.
l do not think that either of us expressed
any opinion, decidedly as to how it could
be done. In course Of the conversation,
General Jones spoke of slight alterations
being made in bills otherwise than by tie
action of the House, in committees or by
clerks, when the mistakes were Manifest
There was more conversation, but of asinl-
ilarnature
Question. Was there any conversation
with senator's in regard to the object Of ma
k.rg the alteration?
Answer. There was not.
Question. You spoke of Mr. Thompson.
Whe is he, where does he reside, and what
was his cOnneyon with this bill?
Answer The Edward ii. Thompson 1
spoke of, l believe, resides at Flint, Gene
see county, Michigan. From what know
and have seen, l suppose lis place of b,ri-
ness is New York, principally, and, during
the present session Of Congress, has bccnin
this city most of the time. OF his Gomez
ion with the bin am ouitcienorant, excc,s
that he spoke with me once or twice in ref
ercnce to the wishes of the friends of Il c
bill. | understood him as to the third SCI
ton
Question. Had You arr knowledge Of The
charter OF the Minnesota and Northwestern
Railroad Company, (rrescntcd,) or any
other railroad company in Minnesota, that
expected to- take the grant Of land by Con-
gfeSS, or OF amy person connected with any
railroad company CT companies in Mime
| sofa?
| Answer. [ had noknow'c,lgc of the char
ter OF any company i'll the Territory of Min
neSota. y company was spoken of I'v per-
SONS who had conversation with me on Il e
subject Of this bill. No name of the con-
pany was given to me, nor were any pcr-
sons names given to me as corporatorS,
stockholders, CT officers Of any COM any in
that territory; and | cannot now distinctly
call to nrlft the names of any persons $40
ken of as interested in railroad company
in Minnesota. have understood that sew
craI gcntlenGn-anl | shall have to name
! Nh rI,I ~ r
MIR. Rice--wcre interested in this bill; but
While | cannot say that they were spokcncf
as interested in any company, my impress
sion would lie that they were spoken of as
interested in some company. can't tell all
the persons | understood it from, but heard
it from time to time
! Question. Have YOU understood from any
person or persons, and if so, from whom,
that Mr.. Washburnc had any connection
with, or interest in any railroad company
chartered in Minnesota, either directly or
indirectly?
Answer cannot say that have
Question. Was thcaltcration of the word
"Or," and the crasure of the word "(uturf,"
Ill the third section of the original bill be-
fore the Committee on Public Lands, ORDER
ed 10y any action of that committee; or did
you, having charge of the bill, as men,
Der Of the committee, make the alteration
on the suggestion of Mr.. Billings and 9th
ers, without any direction of said commit
tee?
Answer The bill was referred by the
committee to me without having bcen read
in committee. After it was in my hands, I
made the alteration, which was made by
striking out the word "futue," and came
! to the conclusion that | would strike out