Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-07-29
Land Jobbins

We do not know a more< IMasiSlD apology
for Mr.. Hunters scheme of disposing of the Pub
lie lauds,in consideration of presidential nomi.
nation. than the prospect Of ultimate i'm
provemens to Legislative mnafS democracy, too
win become less enticing when it shall have less
spoils to feed on. The millions Of the public lands
being all given away-eyen though the gift secure
a Baltimore nomination to Mr.. Hunter.--for moth
ing more than :. kettle of BROTH and Mr..
Guthrie's grand surplus of S3O,000,0O0 being
entirely, instead of as now. partially exhausted,
the country may look for asperiod,if not of quiet
in politics,a least of improved honesty in legis.
lation. Mr.. Hunters land bin is recommended
as a panacea in this respect by the Richmond En-
qnirer, and as all the Legislation Of the country
is now in the hands Of its party, It isat least
candid to confess this as the only remedy for
democratic propensties. We doubt not the En-
ouirer is right. But when the i" cohesive power"
is lost, what will then become Of the party !
Congress having satisfactorily disposed of the
public lands it is still thought that body will not
adjourn before Mr. Guthrios Treasury surplusis
also guphed down. We presume this too will
be polite on the score of public morality.
But the public lands had not been altogether
made away with last Monday, and among the
queer doings'' in Congress ON that day rs re-
ported by the New York Herald. give the
following item. 1t viii be seen that the demo
cratic pet, Forney is rs latitudinous in his views
oflegislative honestgas heis in regard 10 female
character and the confidence Of gentemon.--
The Herald says:
In the house, upon The question of ordering
committee tn inquire into certain unauthorized
and spurious interlineations changing the intent
of a bin granting lnnds TO Minnesota for railrond
purposes, Mr.. Stevens, of Michigan, rose toh
personal explanation. And what isit! A confess
ion thatnpon a consultation with Mr.. Forney
and one of his clerks, and under the authority of
certain Senator's, not to be mentioned he tMr.
Steyens) had made the objectional interpola-
tions in the bill aforesaid Ile did not know TINT
there was any harm in it. Certain Senators had
said the thing had been often done in the Senate.
And so Mr.. Stevens amended the parchment, SO
as to give, by the change OF single word, GER
tain railroad jobbcrs in Michigan the benefit Of
the Minnesota bill Truly, a very innocent ai-
fair! though the principle makes mookery and
farce of all the established usages of legislation.
A committee has been ordered upon this bus
mess, but, as Mr. Stevens has taken the trouble
fan investigation off their hands, they have lit
else 10 Do than TO report what should be done
b Mr.. Stevens. In the meantime il is To be
BOD that the bill thus Struggled through, with
advice and consent of Col. Fomey, will be
peaied Without delay, as proposed by Mr..
etcher, ofNirginia.
If these things go ON for few weeks longer
The honest nen of Congress, as well as the whole
mass of our readers, will be convinced that we
have not salt half enough, in all that we have
said. of the sorrupiions of these land jobbing
schemes. Ayreat result will have been nohiev
ed in behalf of the people and the Treasury,
should this Minnesota affair operate TO kill of
all other land numbering bills Of the same kind
Mr.. Washbun, of Illinois and his asso-
ciates in ferrtng oat this Minnesota amend
ment: and Mr.. setcher, for his vigilance in this
and III other caas, are entitled to the public ap-
probation. Nv such men, in these days of
Fpoils administration, and spoilsmen of all sorts,
are exceedinglynseful."