The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-08-19
TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST Is, 1854.
The esInyestiyatfOn.o

1t will remembered we yesterday gave Mr..
Campbell's minority report from the committee
appointed to investigate the alleged frauds in
the alteration of the Minnesota Land Bill. 1t
was doubtless noticed that Mr.. Campbell-as
violent hater of the political sins of John W.
FOrney and his party, and as true and honest
man as there is in Cougtess-stated in his
report, that, ''whle he did not condemn the
motives for the alteration" he CONDEMNED the
act" Mr.. Campbell was a friend Of our bill
throughout its entire stormy passage through
the House. The substance of the majority re-
port, presented by Mr.. Breckenridge, ofKy,
will be found below. This report, as we stated
yesterday, is signed by Messrs. Breckenridge
Barry, of Miss, and Davis of Indiana-three of
the five committee, men. They likewise con-
cur in Mr.. Campbell's opinion, that no fraud
had been proved in connection with the alter
alton. The committee was discharged from the
further consideration of the subject and so the
matter ends. We will publish the full Debates
and the testimony elected, hereafter:
Mr.. Breckenridge (dem.) of KY, from ma
jOrity of the committee, read the report of the
first branch of the subject, namely, relative TO
the alterations of the text of the Minnesota land
bill.
1t is impossible at this late period to prepare
an elaborate report analysing the testimony
taken. The Committee, therefore, submit the
evidence taken and the conclusion founded on
it. They state the history of facts connected
with the alteration of the bill the same in sub
stance as heretofore, submit the evidence TAX
en- and the conclusion founded on it. They
state the history of facts connected with the al
teration OF the bill the same in substance as
heretofore by MIR. Stevens, of Michigan. The
change was by the direction of the Clerk ofthc
House, (Ar. ForncyO who had been informed
by Gen. Pattcn. the Senate's engrossoing clerk
that verbal amendments are often made with
out official authority. Mr.. Forney thought
the change of the word ''or" to the word sand"
so as to read constituted and organized rail-
road company, was unimportant. After
careful review of the facts, they acquit the par
ties directly concerned in the alteration OF any
criminal or improper purposes. They say that
Mr.. Stevens of Michigan, had thought proper
the change should be made to carry out the
intention of the bill, and Mr.. Forney directed
the change in the bill under the influence of
the same circumstances. The committee ex-
press their deep conviction that unauthorized
changes in the text of bills has a most disas
trous tendency, and express the opinion that
those persons who made the changes deserve
severe censure. The evidence shows changes
verbal or unimportant, are made without au-
thority in both houses, and they call attention
to the fact that such things are calculated to
produce injuriOussresults. 1t is censurablc in
member or an officer to make any unauthor-
lied changes in bills passed by this or any 9TH
er body. The committee report the bill with
view to remedy the error caused by the
change, restoring the word 'or'' for that of
''and," declaring in no event, by virtue of any
act heretofore passed, shall the Governor and
other officers Of Minnesota have power to des-
ignate the company or companies to whom the
benefit of the land grant shall inure.