The true Democrat., 1854-06-06
CON ESSIONAL.
IN SEN NAIE.
 Monday, May 8, 1854.
GOVERNOR RAMSAY.

GOVERNOR RAMSAY.
 MIR. SEBASTIAN. A few days ago. asked leave to withdraw certain papers in reference to the investigation into the official conduct of Governor Ramsay of Minnesota The Sena- ator from Michigan MT. STUART at that time objected to the withdrawal, but 1 believe he is now satisfied that it is proper that they should be withdrawn. I therefore renew the motion that they be withdrawn.
 The motion was agreed to; and 1t was
 Ordered, That certain papers, in reference to the case of Governor Ramsay of Minnesota, be withdrawn from the files of the Senate, in or derto be presented at the Treasury Department.
 RAMSAY INVESTIGATION.
 Mir. SEBASTIAN. I offer the following resolution, and ask for its consideration now:
 Resolved, That the report of the commission CTS appointed by the President of the United States to investigate the official conduct of Alex ander Ramsay late Governor of Minnesota ter ritorv. be printed for the use of the Senate.
 There being no objection, the Senate proceed ed to the consideration of the resolution.
 MT. Stuart I ask the Senator from Arkan- sas to modify his resolution so as to embrace the testimony in the case.
 M. SEBASTIAN. The commissioners re-
  what we are anxious to get at
 Mir. Stuart. I think it would be better to add "and testimOnv.'
 MT. SEBASTIAN. I accept the modifca- ton.
 The resolution, as modified, was agreed to.
 HOMESTEAD BILL.
 Mir. Walker I move that the Senate pro- ceed to the consideration of the homestead bill.
 The presiding officer, (Mr. STUART in the chair) That is the first special order.
 Mr. Hunter Does it come up without mo- tion?
 The presiding officer. The chair is of opin- ion that it does, unless motion is made to post pone it.
 MT. Hunter. I move to postpone that spe- cial order until tomorrow week.
 Mir. Gwin. 1 hope that the homestead bill will be taken up. I think there is great deal of profession in favor of that measure in this body without much practice, and l call for the yeas and nays upon the postponement. It is we'll known that the motion to postpone is made for the purpose of bringing up the Indian ap- pration bill, measure that is not pressing. It may be passed two months hence, that will be time enough for the public service. Every in divdual who votes for the postponement shall  and as being in direct opposition to the conside- ration of that question. l want to know whe- ther or not we are going to consider it. If the homestead bill has as many friends as there are professions in this body, we can pass the House bill as it comes to us; and 1 intend to vote for it in the that form, and against every amendment l do not believe it comes within the veto message sent to us by the President. It is an entirely different measure, and whether 1t is or not shall vote on the measure as my feelings dictate.
 Now, MT. President hope the homestead bill will be taken up, and hope that an adroit mi nority cannot defeat two great measures-the Pacific railroad and the homestead bills by fight ing one against the other. 1 hope that the friends of these two bills will not have any collision among them. 1 know that there is a majority of the body in favor of each; and now am in favor of taking up the homestead bill against everything, and considering 1t. If a majority are in favor of it, the Senate can pass it. If not, the sooner we know 1t the better.
 Mr. JOHNSON. The Senator from Califor- nia hopes the friends of these bills will not come in collision with each other. l am not at pre- sent among that number; but my honorable friend from California-and 1 never use the term friend consciously without feeling 1t sin cerely-says that great many professions of friendship are made ill this body for the home stead bill. His remarks convey an implication of condemnation of censure, and worse, of sus- picion of the sincerity of Senators, and their de- clarations in regard to this measure. That is the construction which his language bears
 Mir. Gwin. That Is not the construction which wanted to convey. l said this, that if the homestead bill had as many friends on this floor as we had seen public professions for it, we can take it up, and we can pass it through every thing; and if we do not take it up, certainly there is more strength in the profession than in the action.
 NJ. JOHNSON. Exactly. Still the decla- ration of the gentleman goes to the country con- veving the idea as l have embodied it and that idea bears with it unquestionably refec- tion upon the sincerity and truthfulness of gen. tlemen upon this floor in their declarations not with an intention or will, to do so offensive ly, grant and know; but the reports when they are made must show that to be the only rational conclusion to be drawn from his re- marks.
 The Senator says, further, that he is opposed to this kind of delay any longer. He is not willing to permit an adrot minority any longer to defeat the bill What is an adroit minority. taken in connection with his remark? An in- sincere body of men, inferior in number and in strength, attempting, by parliamentary manoeu- vers, to control and destroy the action of the dehberative body of which they are members. 1 appeal to every gentleman upon this floor if this is not the manifest construction that will be put upon his language?
 Mir. Gwin. l spoke of an adroit minority fighting one measure against another, and fight ing it with skill; fighting the Pacific railroad and the homestead bill against each other-and think that, if by vote to postpone, the min- orlty could postpone this bill and get up such collision, they would be exceedingly adrot.- That IS the amount of it.
 MT. JOHNSON. Sir, whenever am for a measure 1 shall contend for it strongly, and whenever am opposed to it, it is my right to re- sist by all the legitimate and authorized rules that are made to secure just and wise legislation. I suppose that to be the feeling and the will, of every man who is member of this body. It is such, so far, at least, as l am concerned; and if it is not with every one, then the dissenting member has rights here which he either does