The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-02
MINNESOTA LAND BILL FRAUD.
Proceedings OF a Select Co mittee of the
House of Representatives of the United
States, under Resolution in relation
TO a change of a word i'm the Bill No.
S42after its EngrOssment


States, under Resolution in relation
TO a change of a word in the Bill No.
S42after its EngrOssment.
July "a, 1854.
The Committee met. Present: MessrS
Washburne, Breckenridge, Campbell, Bar
ry, and Davis. !
1eaimomy and Documentary Eridence taken
before the Select Committee of the House
Of Representatives., umder the follotoing
resolution of The House:
UWiam Lee, suorm.
Question. Are you employed in the
Clerks Office of the House of Representa-
tives; if so, how long, and in what capa-
city?
Answer. l have been in the Clerks Office
over four years, journalzing, under the oath
rule Of the House, as regular duty, and such
irregular duties as may be required of me
by the Clerk of the House.
Question. When and where did YOU first
see the original House bill No. 342?
Answer. In the Clerks Office, after it had
been introduced into the House. l recol-
lect distinctly making copy of the bill
after it was introduced into the House,
which 1 made at the request of Hon.
Mr. Rice, and, by arrangement after
wards, delivered it to Mr.. Stevens. l have
no recollection of the erasure of the word
"fmure," in the Sd section, then being
made in the bill; and think that, had the
erasrlre then been made, | should have OBJ
served it. And am certain that the word
"am" had not, at the time l made the
copy, been substituted for the word "or."
And further saith not.
july 25, 1854.
George Chapman, suorn.
Question. Are you engaged in the office
of Secretary of State; and, if SO, in what
capacity?
Answer. 1 am. My Office is called the
clerk of the rolls, and in that capacity |
have charge of the enrolled bills which pass
the Senate and House of Representatives.
After they arc approved and signed by the
President, they come directly to me.
Question. Did the bill Which You now
present before the commttee-to wit, the
House bill No. 342, entitled can act to aid
the Territory of Minnesota in the construc-
ton Of railroad therein come to you
after it was approved by the President?
Answer 1t did
Question. Please examine the third Sec
ton of the act, and state your opinion as to
whether any alteration was made in the
! same between the two verbs CONSTITUTED
and "organizcd,' after the bill had been ell
rolled
! Answer 1t is very obvious that an al
tcration had been made The word "and'
had been evidently substituted for some
other word; that is my opinion. My attcn-
ton w;s never called to the alteration until
yesterday. 1t was then directed to it by a
gentleman who, l suppose, from a remark
he made, wis member of the House of
Representatives. The act is Just now as it
came to me from the President; there has
been 10 opportunity for any such alteration
since | received it.
Thomas Deh. Harris, srorn.
Question Where are you employed, and
in what capacity!
J, Answer. | am what is called the bill
/, clerk of the House of Representatives. !
keep book, in which enter the titles Oh
bills and joint resolutions. l also state Oh
that book the names of members introduc
ing the bills and whether they are intro
duccd by leave of the House Or by report
of a committee. 1t is my duty, also, to
read the Journal every morning, and make
minute on the book of the action of the
) House upon such bills, &C., as have beer
. previously introduced, so that at a glance
the stage Of the measure may at any time
| be known.
Question. Look at this bill, [handin?
J him original House bill No. 342, and state
your knowledge as to its history and pro
!, gress.
= Answer. do not recolcct of having ev
er seen the particular bill before. Some
times Mr.. Barclay, the journal clerk, kindl,
volunteers to assist me in my duties, ant
makes the endorsements on bills for TIN
, journal at the desk This happened to b.
case of the kind.
Y Waiiam Patton, swOrn
: Question. Where are you employed, ant
in what capacity; and state whether you
ever had this bill handing him House ell
crossed bill No. 342, in your possession
if YOU have, state what you know in regar'
i. to the change in the third section, in sui
e shutting the word "and' for the wore
I = 10