Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-08-08
MINNESOTA WEEKLY TIMES.
FRIDAY, AUG. 4, 1854. (
THE FRAUD INVESTIGATION.

THE FRAUD INVESTIGATION.
The Importance of the subject is our only apol-
ogy for devoting so much space to this matter.
the result of which we deem of vital consequence
10 the future interests of Minnesota. If monied
Railroad Company once get their clutches on our
beautiful Territory curse will follow greater
than that which warped the energies, and sappcd
the life blood of Nox Jersey. Who is not famil-
lar with the career of the Camden and Amboy
Railroad Co., of that State, and who does not
foresec that the Wall street Railroad Company is
but second edition Of that contemplate concern?
Ii behooveS us to act noe, not wait until the Com
pany get tn, matter into their own hands as they
are endeayoring to do b: every means in their
power; but strike at the root of the evil noe,
and If possible defeat the plans Of those who
would sacrifice Us on the altar OF Mammon, the
only god to whom they bend the kae,, an the
only god for whom they entertain even decent
respect. When VIC commenced exposing this
fraud which has called forth an investigation by
Congress, the organ Of thu railroad mon in this
Territory, (the MINI esotian) affected to be much
surprised, and sought on every occasion to evade
the issue We made with it, by stating that if any
Isqal questions were involved it should leave it to
the Courts,-tha. it should not be drawn into
controversy the subject, and that it hoped, (no
doubt sncerelv,) that no impairment would be
thrown in the way of building the road. The ed
itor Of the Minncso:ian well knew that there was
a niger in the wood pile but it was necessary for
it's own safety AMI thl of its confedcrates, to dig
al underground railroad that the Niger might e'-
cape, and hence it, strenuous efforts to mvStfy
every thing pertaining to this matter, and to hide
the light, which, as public journalist, it ought
TO have given to the people, under bushei. But
it was no use. The people got glimpse at the
rascai--the white Of his eyes and his glistening
teeth, at one, convinced them that they had been
Iniseaj, an they put after him with full de-
term nation OF driving him from their borders
At this movement, the Mnnesotian and its follow
ers became frightened, but finding it useless to
run, they turn and affect as much holy horror at
the fraud, as though they knew nothing about it.
Sly w:-ks are given and great fears eypresSe L.
In ia. meantime gentlemen at Washington are
busly engaged tracking up the "nigger," who,
finding it too ho: in Minnesota, makes tracks foc
his native den. where the following amusing scene
OCCURS
WAsHISGroy, July 24.
Mr.. Washburne, OF Ill.,, rose TO question Of
privilege He said the House, on the 10th of June,
passed the bill granting lands Minnesota, to aid
in the construction of railroads, and 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 well acquainted with
the subject, and who had frequent consultations
with him Mr.. NasAburnc( concerning its prOvi
sons. Minnesota had chartered a Company with
most extraordinary powers, granting to it all tAe
lands which have been or may hereafter be donated
ID 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 inurc to the benefit Of any Compa-
ny hereafter to be constituted or organized. This
was the way the bill was originally framed to pre-
vent the Company from receiving the benefit of
the grant. The first alteration he noticed was
the striking out Of the word g 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'' 10 the word "and'' so rs to
read = constituted and organized Company."-
This Company not being constituted and organ
iGed. expects to hold these lands under the bill,
End hence he charged this object in the alteration.
The word WAS hand different from that of the
cDgrossm INT. This was a matter affecting deeply
the proceedings of the House, and it due that
an examination should be made, rs the records Of
this House have been mutilated.
Mark the cypression-'' The House to avoid
this'-what? Why the old charter-'' added a
proviso TINT said lands which have been and may
hereafter be, donated to that Territory, &C., shall
be subject to the disposition of any future lcgs
lature thereof, &C., nor shall they, (the lands, }
inure to tn, benefit Of any Company hereafter to
L
the bill passed the House, it was understood by
tho members, to pass in the above form-but I'M
doubtedly money was brought to bear, and the
Committee, to whom the matter was referred,
struck out the word g future" and the bill was
passed again by the House, leaving g constituted
or organized" in It's original form. So far as
this ~ ,rncd, it only shows tho influence which
money probl5!y hal on the Committee But we
pass on.
Mr. Hem, who is on the COMMITTEE Of Engross-
I'd bills, said he rccollected very well that the
word 'future" left OFT, and was surprised
when he discovered it was struck from the origi-
nal bill. He did not reco!lect anything about the
words 10 which Mr.. Washburne had called the at
tenton of the House.
Here one Of the Committee on the Engrosscd
Bills, WAS surprised when he found the word " fu-
ture struck from the original bill, going to show
that it MAS Oh. Of the ordinary method Of doing
business.
Mr.. Washburne said he understood the Bill was
altered after it was sent from the House to the
Senate. He offered resolution for the appoint
lnent Of select Committee to inquire into the
fact which he brought before the House, with
power to send for persons and papers, and to ex-
anime witnesses under oath.
Mr.. Campbell offered an amendment, that the
same Committee also inquire into any other inter-
poatons of the bills of this House. His reason
for this was that several days ago an important
interpolation was made in {. resolution fixing the
compensation of the Off sers 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.
81. McMullen concurred with him in opinion.
Mr.. WGshburnc's resolution, with Mr.. Camp
bells amendment, was adopted.
Mr.. Mace made an intellectual effort to introduce
resolution 70 inquire what quantity OF land has
been purchased, and by whom, Mt the terminus Of
said railroad since the passage of the bill.
Mr.. Ietcher gave notice that h, should to-mor-
row introduce a bill to repeal the Minnesota Land
Law.
So it seems that erasurcs and interlineations
are regular system carried on at Washington,
winkea .. by public journalists, and protesting