The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-03-11
Minnessta in Congress.


/ message was here received from the Sch
ate by the hands of Asbury Dickens, its SccTe-
tary, informing the House that the Senate hsd
receded from its disagreements to the House
amendments to the Senate bill to regulate and
disburse the contingent fund of the Senate, and
for other purposes, and had agreed to said
amendments
Mr.. RICE. offer the following amendment
"FOr finishing the capital and territorial pri-
son 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 Treasury
| The Governor of tho Territory of Minnesota
calls the attention of the Legislature to the
fact, that the money heretofore appropriated
for finishing these buildings has not been sufi-
cient, and in consequence that they have re-
ceivcd great injury. A memorial upon that
subject lies upon the Speakers table.
Mr.. HOUSTON. l wish to ask the Delegate
from Minnesota whether this proposition has
been before any committee of the House? Is is
an estimate recommended either by the de-
partment. any committee, or both.
| Mr.. RICE. 1t has been recommended by nei-
thcr. l addressed letter in regard to this
matter to the Secretary Of the Interior think
ing that it came within his jurisdiction, with q
copy of the Message of the Governor of Mime
sofa. He referred it to the Secretary of the
Treasury. who addressed a communication upon
the subject to the House yesterday, which Was
then read.
Mr.. W,sIIBuRNE, of Illinois AsI understand
this matter, it is one that commends itself to
thc sense ofJustice of the committee in behalf
of the Territory of Minnesota. An appropria-
ton has heretofore been made by Congress for
the completion Of the territorial buildings
there. That appropriation. under the circ1m-
stances. is proved to be entirely insufficient for
the full completion of the capitol and the terri
torial prison, and for the grading and fencing
of the grounds in a manner corresponding to
the character of those public buildings.
| The attention of the Legislature Of MinncsO-
ia has been called by the Governor Of the Ter
ritOry TO this subject. The estimated cost Of
what is wanted has been stated by my friend.
the Delegate from Minnesota. who knows all
about it and he has given his opinion, which
satisfies me. and. believe. will satisfy every
gentleman in this committee, that this appro-
priation is one We should most chccrfully make
for the purposes indicated.
| 1t is true that this matter has not gone to any
committee of this House. but the gentleman
from Minnesota called the attention of the Sec
rotary of the Treasury to it and a letter from
that officer. in answer, has been received and
was read to the House yesterday. ] do not
know that there has been any regular estimate
from the department made with regard to the
amount necessary, but the gentleman from Min
nesota, and the Governor of the Territory,
state that $4,000 will be necessary for the pur-
pose proposed and myself believe that it is
but just to that Territory that the apprOpria-
! ton should be granted. Sir, that Territory is
a child of our government, and we should eX-
tend TO it the fostering care of parent. We
should deal literally and Justly in this matter,
and not hesitate 10 come forward in case like
this. and complete what We have already be-
gun. This appropriation will not only COM
pletc your public buildings there but it will
beautify and adorn them. therefore appeal to
the generosity and maguanimity Of this commit
tee to sustain the amendment just offered by
the Delegate. The Territory has no vote here,
and none in the other branch. She has dele
gate here-my friend who offered this amend
ment, and who serves his constituents with
great zeal and iideiity-but he cannot vote
with us. The appeal to us on that account is.
therefore. so much the stronger. and do trust
the amendment will be tavorably received by
this committee.
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE. | move to increase the
appropriation one dollar.
In regard to the remarks Of the gentleman
from Alabama. (Mr. HoustOn) it is due to the
Delegate from Minnesota that should say. that
as happened to be the only member Of the
Committee Of Ways and Means with whom he
was personally acquainted, he requested me to
BRING the matter before the committee: did
so, but informally, and no action was taken by
them upon the subject. l suggested to the
gentleman from Minnesota that it would BE-
wen to refer the matter to the Treasury De-
partment, and have communication upon the
SUBJECT sent from that department TO tbc Speak
or OF the House, which could he referred Tegu-
larry 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
mlttce. however, have not since had meeting
and therefore it is that no recommendation from
them upon the subject has been made.
The gentleman from Minnesota considers IL q
Idehcicncy proper TO be inserted in the dcfc!cn-
icy bill, and that this is the appropriate place
TO insert it. 1t is not probable tina, any action
now will he taken upon the subject by the Com
m!ttcc of Ways and Means. and if such actio,
were to be taken, it must depend in great de-
gree upon the evidence now in the possession
OF the committee
| The communication from the Treasury CHM,
ply transmits the letter from the Delegate from
Minnesota. with an extract from the Message of
the Governor of that Territory This is all
upon which that Department could rely and it
Is all upon which we can rely, in addition to
the statement of the Delegate in confirmation
OF the papers. believe, for one, after confer
encc with the gentleman from Minnesota. that
the appropriation ought to pass Although the
Committee of Ways and Means have moi anil
probably will not make any recommendation.
yet it is deficiency which / hope the House
Will see proper to grant. If there be no obiec-
tion Will now withdraw the amendment |
! have offered.
There being no objection. the amendment
was withdrawn
The question then recurring upon the adop-
ton Of the amendment offered by Mr. Rice Il
was put and the amendment was agreed to.
ARCTIC CAvEs.-Dr. Kane the American
voyager, relates the following concerning the
caves of the Arctic regions
"Some of the bcrgs wcreworn in deem. vault.
Ike chasms. through which way was practic
anie 10 broader cavcrns within. In the crystal
solitudes the echoes were startling
~hiStic-yonr own whistlc-you could
hardly recognize for the length and clearncss