Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-09-05
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2, 1854.
THE MINNESOTA LAND BILL FRAUI

THE MINNESOTA LAND BILL FRAUD.
We commence to-day the publication of the
testimony and documentary evidence taken before
the committee appointed by the House of Repre-
sentatives to investigate the fraudulent alteration
of the Minnesota Land Bill 1t is a voluminous
paper, and will take several days to complete its
publication. but to enable our readers to arrive
at proper understanding of the matter, We deem
the space it will occupy of sufficient Importance
to exclude other articles. 1t will be observed
| that most of the witnesses are oKnOw Nothings,"
having joined the order just previous to being
called upon the stand 1t is necessary to read the
report carefully to discover the rascality lurking
behind it, as all sorts of shifts were resorted to
on the part of the clerks, members of Congress,
&c., to shield themselves from the odium which
would fall upon them by an exposure.
Mark the first point. Mr.. Stevens procured a
copy of the bill of the clerk, which went into the
hands of MIR. Rice, our Delegate.
Mark the second point. few days after, the
bill passed the House and went to the Senate,
clerk of the latter body wished to alter the word
g or - for 'and' stating that it was the intention
of Mr.. Stevens and Mr.. Jones to have it done so.
Mark the third point. Mr.. Patton, clerk of
the Senate, with Mr.. Sproule, have an interview
with Mr.. Forney. Mr.. Patton says that it is Gus
tomary to make such changes, &C., probably at
the suggestion of Mr.. Stevens.
Mark the fourth point. Mr.. Jones, of Iowa,
denies knowing where, when or by whom the al
iteration was made, &c. Had conversation with
Mr. Billings, the Wall street inancier. Told MIR.
Billings he could not change the word. MIR. Bill
linrs said it was clerical error Of the clerk &c.
Mr.. Jones did not know what cOnnexion Mr.. Bill
lings had with the grant of land, any body else.
Did not hear him state that any particular COM
pany was to have it, &c.
With all due Difference to the gentlemen, they
will allow us to say that we don't believe one
word they uttered, for Mr.. Billings, as fnancier
for the railroad company, Gid know that the
CHANGING of the word Sc ORB would materially
affect tho result of the bill, and MIR. Jones did
know that both Mr.. Rice and MIR. Billings were
interested in the procurement of the grant. Out
on such outrageous perversion of justice!
Mark the fifth point. Gen. Stevens and MIR.
Patton, the clerk, had conversation over the
matter. Col. Forney wanted to know what the
practice was in the Senate in altering bills, &c.
He finally said" Well, suppose the alteration
may as we'll be made.'' Mark, MIR. Forney did
know whether it was proper Or not to make the
alteration Mark. 1t was claimed that the al
teration of the word ''Or" was immaterlal and
vet observe the anxiety of MIR. Stevens, who
spoke to the clerk first about the matter. Mark.
Col. Forney, Patton and Stevens, consulted each
other repeatedly.
Mark the sixth point. COL Forney stated the
alteration was made at the request Of Gen. Ste
| vcns.
We have called attention to these points in hopes
that the reader will keep them in mind Mark
the anxiety to alter the word and yet the protesta-
tons that the alteration was immatcrial. Rich
Developments will yet come out Of this matter.
TAgrLING.-The habit of tattling is prevalent
in every community, and with both sexes. 1t is
true, many times there appears to be no evil in
tended in IA casual remark, yet we are so differ
emily organized that it is impossible to even utter
a joke without offending some one. The neccs-
sitv therefore for weighing we'll our thoughts be-
fore they are uttered, is incumbent upon all
for if s'what is one mans meat is another mans
poison,' it is very evident that remark that
would please one would not please another. He
who deliberately goes to work to injurc his fellow
man by defaming him behind his back, is dan
gerous persona person in whom we can put no
reliance for if he will do it to one he will do it
to others. Most people, however, offend their
neighbors for want of forethought, and not from
any righteousness On their part. In either case
the habit is a bad one, and it is to be hoped that
those who indulge in it will sec the necessity of
giving it up as soon as possible.
A correspondent, who undoubtedly has been
acrieyed by some mischievious tongue, writes as
follows:
eff ladies and gentlemen could see themselves
as others see them, and realize the profound dis
gust which they produce in the minds OF others
when they go around peddling out their small
stock of prejudicial surmises, insinuations and
innuendoes, they would forcgo the pleasure they
derive from an indulgence in this belttleing pro-
pensity, however strong and natural it may have
become from the force Of habit"
We know not whether our correspondent is an
old bachelor and has been made the target for the
sharp pointed tongue of some feminine, or
whether he is the subject of some strong
minded masculinc;--onc thing is certain, he has
been offended, and retalates in I'm indignant man.
ner. However, this is irrcvelant to the case
The too common custom of speaking i'll of our
neighbors tends to evil, and as no one is benefit
ted thereby, we see no good reason why the habit
should be persisted in, at least by those who are
generally known in society as ladies and gentle
men.
CO A friend who has been spending day or
two in the country northwest of this city is quite
enthusiastic in his praise of the fine crops he saw
in that ncighborhood. He says the corn crop of
Mr.. Simons, of Otter Lake can't be beat in this
county, and intimatcs that it would be hard to
beat anywhere, and he ought to know, for he
came from the Miami valley, where they do raise
! s'cawn."
CO The Pioneer states that Hon. II. NJ. Rice,
our Delegate, passed through Detroit a few days
since, for Lake Superior. He probably will not
visit St. Paul until late in the fall We think the
editor speaks ironically when he says: 'During
the past session frequent reports had come to US
of his failing health, but were not prepared
to learn he was gone past all recovery. We ten
der the distinguished gentleman our earnest con-
dolence.''
GONE UP.-A gentleman purchased two lots
in jackson street few days since, for which he