The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-03-09

For finishing the capitol and territorial prison in
the Territory Of Minnesota. grading and fencing the
grounds for the same, $4,000, TO be expended
under the direction Of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury.
The Governor Of the Territory Of Minnesota
calls the attention Of the Legislature TO the fact,
that the money heretofore appropriated for finish
ing these buildings has not been sufficient, and in
consequence that they have received great INJURY
memorial upon that subject lies upon the Speak
ers table.
Mr. Houston. l wish to ask the Delegate from
Minnesota whether this proposition has been before
amy committee of the House! Is it an estimate
recommended either by the Department, any COM
mttee, or both!
MIR. Rice. 1t has been recommended by neither.
l addressed letter in regard to this matter to the
Secretary Of the Interior, thinking that it came with
Governor Of Minnesota. He referred it to the Sec
Rotary Of the Treasury. who addressed commune
cation upon the subject to the House yesterday,
which then read.
Mr.. Washbnrne, Of Inons. As I understand
this matter, is that commends itselfto the
Of Justice Of the committee in behalf of the Territory
Of Minnesota. An appropriation has beretofoc been
made by Congress for the completion Of the terrific
rial buildings there. That appropriation, under The
circumstance, is proved to be entirely insufficient
for the fall completion Of the capitol and the
rtoia prison, and for the grading and fencing Of the
|
Of those public buildings.
! The attention Of the legislature Of Minnesota
has been called by the Governor Of the Territory
To this subject. The estimated cost Of what is wan
ted has been stated by my friend, the Delegate from
Minnesota, who knows all about II and he has Civ
his opinion, which satisfies me, and believe, will
satisfy every gentleman this committee, that this
appropriation is should most cheeriully make
Tor the purposes Indicated.
| IL is true that this matter has no. gone to any
IL
Minnesota called the attention Of the Secretary o
the Treasury To it; and "A letter from that officer.
| IN answer, has been received, and read to the
House yesterday. | 90 know that there has
been any regular estimate from the Department made
with regard to the amount necessary, but the gen
! tleman from Minnesota, and the Governor of the
Territory states that $40 900 will be necessary for
the purpose proposed; and myself believe tina, it i.
but just to that Territory that the appropriation
should he granted. Sir, that Territory is child OF
| our Government and should extend 10 it The
fostering care Of parent. We should deal literally
and justly in this matter. and not hesitate to come
! forward IN n like this, and complete what we
have already begun. This appropriation will not
only complete your public buildings there, but il
I will bcautify and adorn them. | therefore appea
to the generosity and magnaniny, and the sense o
justice, of this committee TO sustain the amendmen,
just offered by the Delegate. The Territory has
no vote here, and none in the other branch She
has a Delega,e--my friend who offered this amend
ment, and who serves bs constituents with great
zeal and fdelity--but he cannot vote with us. The
/! appeal 10 thu account is, therefore, much
the stronger, and do trust the amendment viii be
favorably received by this committee.
! Mr.. Breckenridge. | move to Increase the appro-
prIation one dollar.
In regard to the remarks Of the gentleman from
! ALBANIA, (Mr. iiouston,) it is due the Delegate
from Minnesota that should say, that as happened
to he the only member of the Committee of WAYS
and Means with whom he personally acquan-
ted he requested me 10 bring the matter before the
committee; did so, but Informally, and action
was taken by them upon the subject. | suggested
TO the gentleman from Minnesota that it would lie well
to refer the matter the Treasury Department,
and have n communication upon the subject sent
from that Department u the Speaker Of the House,
which could be referred regularly to the Committee
OF WAYS and Means. The gentleman followed my
/, suggestion, and Yesterday communication came
from the Treasury Department, which was referred
TO the Committee Of WAYS and Means The COM
mtee, however, have not since had meeting, and
therefore it is that recommendation from them
upon the subject has been made. The gentleman
from Minnesota considers deficiency proper to be
inserted in the deficiency bill, and that this is the
appropriate place TO insert il. 1t is not probable
that any action viii DC taken upon the subject
l5y the Committee of WAYS and Means, and If such
action we're to be taken ii must depend, in a great
degree upon the evidence now ia possession Of The
committee.
The communication from the Trcaury simply
transmits the letter from the Delegate from Mime
sofa, with extract from the message Of the Gov
ernor Of that Territory. This IS all upon which we
can relv in addition the of the Delegate
in continuation OF The papers. | believe. ior ne,
after conference it'll the gentleman from Minnesota,
that the appropriation ought to pass Althosgh the
Committee Of Ways and Means have not, and prob
ably will not make any recommendation, yet ii is
deficiency which hope the House will proper
to grant. II there be no objection viii now with
draw the amendment | have offered.
! There being objection, the amendment was
! Withdrawn.
/ The question then recurring upon the adoption OF
the amendment offered by MIR. RicE, it was put,
and the amendment agreed to.