The Sierra citizen., 1854-04-15
Devneyie Sierra County (aiiorna saturday Apr Is 1851

of valor to settle the affairs which belonged
to their own firesides (the Nebraska ques-
ton. for instanee) before they involved
themselves in war with any foreign coun-
try. After they had settled home matters
he might be ready to break a lance with
Great Britain. He felt afraid that bis
distinguished friend from Michigan would
never be able to forgive the English for
their conduct in 1912; and although he
(Mr. w. might indulge prejudices against
that nation quite as strong as the honora-
bic Senator, still he thought in biblical
language. sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof" Wherever any practical question
of this nature came up, he would always be
ready to meet it.; but he must protest
against loss Of time at this juncture in the
discussion of abstract questions, and his
friend must allow him to say that he knew
of no one that seemed to enter more hearth
ly into such discussion than the distin-
guished Senator from Michigan. Whenever
that Senator woald propose practical
measure, the Senate, he trusted would
be ready to meet it: bat he must now be
excused for calling fos the order of the day.
The Senate accordingly resumed the
consideration Of the Nebraska bill, which
took up the remaining time OF the body.
On Monday. the Senate passed hume
rous bills granting public lands to aid in
the construction of various railroads,
among them one granting lands to the
State of California, to aid in the construc-
tion Of railroads from San Francisco to
San Jose; Bcnicia to Marysville; Sacra-
mento via Auburn to Nevada city; and
Stockton to Sonora. The Nebraska bill
was then resumed and discussed until an
adjournment was had.
On Tuesday, bill was passed for the
relief of purchasers and locators of swamp
and overhowed lands; the bill making a
grant of the public lands to the several
States and Territories for the benefit of
indignent insane persons was discussed,
but not disposed Of and the Nebraska bill
was then considered.
HOUSE OF REPS.
In the House Of Reps. on Monday, goth
Feb, Mr.. Latham. of California, reported
back from the committee on Public Lands,
with an amendment, Senate bill for the
extension of the prc-einption privilege in
California. Mr.. L. stated that by an act
passed March 3. 1853. the pre-cmptiop
privilege was extended in California, to
the unsurveyed lands for the period of one
year. AS this privilege would cease on
the Sd of March next, this bill which
passed the Senate unanimously. merely
proposed to extend it for period OF two
Years from that date. AS the same anoma-
lous condition of the public lands in CALI
fornia which authorized the granting of
this privilege still existed, the passage of
this bill was necessary; and unless some
provision like the one contained in this
bill should be made, all that confusion of
claims to title would ensue which had often
resulted in blood-shed. We said that
since the right of pre-emption was given
to the unsurveyed lands in California, set
Elements and improvements had been made
of permanent character, and a pop,lla-
ton was there settling whose interests
were identified with the SOIL and who
constituted the strength and power of that
country. In behalf Of his State. of her
energetic people, and of her agricultural
prosperity, he asked the passage OF this
bill. He said that out of the 92,622,4OO
acres of public land reported by the Sur
vcyor General to be in California, there
were $4,000, 900 acres Of mineral land; 19,-
100000 acres that could not be irrigated,
and of cours. not cultivated; and 1920
600 acres of swamp land, leaving but
about 20000,000 acres of agricultural
land, between l0,000.000 and ii 100000
of which were claimed under large Span
ish grants. .,.,s..5.
The amendment was agreed to ana the
bill assed before it becomes law. how
ever, the Senate must first concur in the
amendment, which no doubt they will do
The Homestead BILL which proposed
to give every man who is the head of ii
family and citizen of the United States
I6O acres of land out of the public domain,
on condition of occupancy and cultivation
of the same for the period OF five wears,
was then taken up in committee of the
whole, and extensive latitude being given
to debate in committee, several speeches
were made on various subjects, among
them the Nebraska question.
The Homestead bin occupied the at
tention OF the House OH Tuesday; Wednes-
day the House was not in session, it being
the 22d of February; Thursday the con
sideration Of Senate bill granting lands
for railroads in Wisconsin, consumed the
entire days session; Friday, the House
decided that Jose Manuel G:lIegos was
entitled to the seat as Delegate from the
Territory Of New Mexico, thus deciding
against William Carr Lane, the contest
ant. Private bills we're then considered.
after which, three eulogics were pronunced
on the death of Gen. Robert Armstrong,
editor of the Union and printer to the
House, who expired on the 23d. Out of
respect to his memory the House adjourned
to Monday. s
On Monday, the 26th, Wednesday was
set apart for the election Of a public prin-
ter for the House, viee Armstrong, de-
ceased; an Intellectual attempt was made
to pass the Senate bill authorizing the
coy,Sf r;Icfious of c:y ctoop, fr;rotoc. aps a