The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-08-05
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 8, 1854.
Pros ress of the Investigation.

LED 10 come AT furtner IaCtS, uOTe luIi anu VAIL
gible, in regard to the investigation instituted
to ascertain the alleged frauds in the wording
of the Minnesota Railroad act. Below we give
full abstract of the debate which occurred in
the House on the oath, which is the beginning
of the affair, SO far as Congress is con-
cerned. 1t appears from the remarks Of Gen.
Stevens, of Michigan, the gentleman who orig
inally introduced the bill by authority of the
committee on Public Lands, that whatever alter
ations from the original draft may appear in the
official act. we're authorized by the committee
before the bill made its appearance at all in the
House. We think, and the community must
come to the same conclusion after an impartial
examination of all the facts thus far elected,
taking the statement of Gen. Stevens as the guide
that the Clerk of the House, Col Forney has
done nothing himself, nor authorized any thing
to be done in the premises, which was not in
strict accordance with his duty as an officer of
the House. This opinion, however, must stand
or fall before the proof elected as the investiga-
ton progresses.
Gen. Stevens represents the northern district
of Michigan, embracing the whole extent of
that State along the southern coast of Lake Su-
perior-including, of course, all the vast min
ing region of three or four hundred miles bor-
derng on the Lake and situated within the
boundaries of Michigan.
The account of the debate which we give be-
low is from the Philadelphia North American,
paper whose accuracy in matters of this or
any other species of public information, it is
not necessary for us to endorse. We hope what
we publish will be carefully read and weighed
by those who take an interest in the matter.
WASHINGTON. July "a.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. Washburne, of ILL.,, rose to question OF
privilege. He said the House. on the 10Th of
June. passed the bill granting lands to Mime
sofa. to aid in the construction of railroads and
a material alteration had been made since its
engrossment. The bill was introduced here by
the Committee on Public Lands. 1t was drawn
up by gentleman from Minnesota. who was
we'll acquainted with the subject and who had
frequent consultations with him (Mr. Wasuburn)
concerning its provisions. Minnesota had char
tered a Company with most extraordinary pow
ers. granting to it all the lands which have been
or may hereafter be. donated to that territory
for the construction of railroads. The House,
to avoid this. added proviso that said lands
shall be subject to the disposition of any future
legislature for the purpose aforesaid. Nor shall
they inure to the benefit of any Company here
after to be constituted Or organized. This was
the way the bill was originally framed to pre-
vent the company from receiving the benefit IF
the grant. The first alteration he noticed was
the striking ont of the word /" future" but this
he believed was made by the Committee. The
second alteration, which he charged with being
made after the bill was engrossed. was the
changing of the word or to the word land"
so as to read constituted and organized com
pany." This Company not being constituted
and organized. expects to hold these lands I'M
der the bill. and hence he charged this object
in the alteration. The word was in a hand diff
ferent from that of the cngrossment. This was
a matter affecting deeply the proceedings of
the House, and it was due that all examination
should be made, as the records of this House
have been mutilatcd
Mr.. Hcnn.whois on ticCommittee ofEnsross-
ed bills, said he recOllccted very well that the
word future was left out and was surprised
when be discovered il was struck from the orig
inal bill He did not recollcct any thing about
the words to which Mr.. Washburne had called
the attention of the House.
Mr.. Washburne said he understood the Bill
was altered after it was sent from the House to
the Senate. He offered resolution for the ap-
pOintmcnt of a select committee to inquire into
the fact which he brought before the House, with
power to send for persons and papers, and to
examine witnesses under oath.
Mr.. Campbell offered an amendment that the
same committee also inquire into any other in
Temptations of the bills of this House. His
reason for this was that several days ago an
important Interpolation was made in a rcsolu-
ton fixing the compensation of the officers of
the House. He did not say fraud was intended,
but it was due to the integrity Of the House
these things should be stopped
Mr.. McMullen concurred with him in opinion.
Mr. Washburn's resolution. with Mr.. Camp
bell amendment. was adopted.
Mr. Mace made an Intellectual effort to intro
:ucc resolution to inquire what quantity Of
land has been purchased, and by whom, at the
terminus Of said railroad since the passage OF
the bill.
Mr.. Lctchcr gave notice that he should to-
morrow introduce bill to repeal the Minneso-
ia Land Law.
Mr.. Stevens. of Michigan, rose to make a per
sonal explanation with reference to the subject
on which the special committee had short time
since been ordered to be appointed. He in
tended TO make his statement on honor. After
the Minnesota Land Bill had been sent to the
Committee on Public Lands, of which he is q
member, it was referred to him for his iudivid
ual action on it. Gentlemen who were con-
nected with the bill called on him, and request
cd that certain alterations should be made in
the third section before he returned the bill to
the Committee. The alterations desired were
explained. One of them was to affect the sub
ject Of legislation in Minnesota in relation to
lands granted by Congress, and he, with his
own hands, struck from the original bill the
word future The other was the alteration
Of the word orr to and" and he thought
proper it should be made, and he supposed he
had made it. He presented the bill with some
explanation to the Committee on Public Lands.
which approved of it. He then reported it to
the House. 1t passed, and was sent to the SEN
ate. After getting there, his attention was
called to the bill 1t was remarked that the al
tcration which he said he had made he did not
make, or that the bill did not contain the alter
alton. He conferred with one or two gentle
men of the Senate. and told them frankly that
when he reported the bill to the Committee on
Public Lands, he made the alterations, or in
tended to do SO. Subsequently one of the Sen
ate Clerks came to him in the lobby fronting