Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-09-05

have stated BEFORE and called my attention to the
subject of the words " or" and and" in the
third section of the bill He asked me how the
bill passed the Committee on Public Lands; and
l think stated to him, as stated in the House on
Monday, that intended to have erased the word
"or" and insert sand" Some conversation
passed between US in relation to having the bill
corrected, and as how it could be done. l do not
think that either of us expressed any opinion, de-
cidedly, 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
the action of the House, in committees or by clerks,
when the mistakes were manifest. There was
more conversation, but of similar nature.
Question. Was there any conversation with
senators in regard to the object OF making the
alteration?
Answer. There was not.
Question. You spoke of q Mr.. Thompson
Who is he, where does he reside, and what was
his cOnnexion with this bill?
Answer. The Edward II. Thompson spoke OF,
believe, resides at Flint, Genesee county, Mchi-
gan. From what know and have seen, suppose
his place of business is New York, principally,
and, during the present session of Congress, has
been in this city most of the time. Of his con-
nexion with the bill am quite ignorant, except
that he spoke with me once or twice in reference
to the wishes of the friends of the bill. under
stood him as to the third section.
Question. Had you any knowledge Of the
charter of the Minnesota and Northwestern Rail-
road Company, (presented, or any other railroad
company in Minnesota, that expected to take the
grant of land by Congress, or of any person con-
nected with any railroad company or companies
in Minnesota!
Answer l had no knowledge of the charter
of any company in the Territory Of Minnesota.
A company was spoken of by persons who had
conversation with me on the subject OF this bill.
No name OF the company was given to me, nor
were any PERSONS names given to me as corpora
tors, stockholders, or officers of any company in
that territory; and cannot now distinctly call to
mind the names of any persons spoken of as in
terested in railroad company in Minnesota. |
have understood that several gentlemen-and
shall have to name Mr.. Washburne, Governor
German and Mr.. Rice-were interested in this
bill; but while I cannot say that they were spo-
ken of as interested in some company. l can't
tell all the persons understood it from, but heard
it from time to time.
Question. Have you understoo from any per-
son or persons, and if so, from whom, that Mr..
Washburne had any connexion with, or interest
in any railroad company chartered in Minnesota,
either directly or indirectly?
Answer. l cannot say that have.
Question. Was the alteration of the word
''or," and the erasure of the world s.futnre," in
the third section of the original bill before the
Committee on Public Lands, ordered by any act
ion of that committee or did you, having charge
OF the bill, as q member OF the committee, make
the alteration on the suggestion of MIR. Billings
and others without any direction of said commit
tee?
Answer. The bill was referred by the commit
tee to me without having been read in the COM
mittee. After it was in my hands, made the
alteration, which was made by striking out the
word ''tuture," and came to the conclusion that
would strike out the word ssor'' and substitute
'sand," at the suggestion of Mr.. Billings and 9TH
fho tbo r.,
making verbal statements in regard to it, and
my belief is, that | stated specially what had
done, or supposed had done in regard to stri-
king out the word ':future" and substituting
''and'' for ''Or;" but do not think the bill was
read entire in the committee. There is in the
committee what is called pattern bill and gen.
orally bills not examined read, except those
parts differing from the pattern bill
Question. Did you any other person ex-
plain to the committee that the word sfuturc."
and the change of the word s'or,'' to s'and,"
might restrict the grant of land to the particular
railroad company chartered by the Minnesota
Legislature, in which Mr.. Billings was interested,
and might exclude all other companies hereto
fore or hereafter chartered?
Answer. l did not explain it, nor did l then
know that such would be the effect nor do l know
that such explanation was made by any one, or
that the committee so understood the effect Of
the change.
Question. Have you any personal or pecuni-
AIRY interest in the grant, either prospective or
present, or in any railroad company in Mime
sofa, directly or remedial?