The daily Minnesota pioneer., 1855-08-18
HONDAVID OLMSTED.
Mr.. Rice and the Appropriations.

Mr.. Rice and the Appropriations.
There is not one feather in Mr.. RICE's
cap which he parades with a prouder air,
or more constantly than that which indi-
Gates him as an individual who has gained
through his sole exertions, very large and
exceedingly liberal appropriations for the
Territory. 1t futters upon him like the
war eagle feather upon one Of his favorite
Winnebagoes, and everywhere his admir-
ers, paid and unpaid, point to it, with a
feeling Of such intense atisfaction-with
such an intensity of belief in the truth of
the sign it indicates that it is really hard
task to undeceive them. And yet Mr..
RICE is in the condition of the Jackdaw,
and it is entirely probable that ere long
he will lose his borrowed plumes, and
stand exposed the naked, bare and COM
paratively useless thing he really has been
in Congress
While Mr. RICE was in Washington, he
had all the benefit which many of the best
citizens of the Territory could render him,
both by personal exertions and exercise of
influence. They did not work for Mr.
RICE, they strove for Minnesota Territory,
and for her alone. Mr.. RICE was the in
strument selected by the Territory for the
presentation and protection of her interests,
and the labors of the lNinmesotians, in Wash
ington, appeared before the public through
him, only, because there was no other way.
Most certain it is, that had they not toll
ed among the Departments, and made all
things clear-if they had not combatted
opposition wherever it arose, there would
not have been as much done as was accom-
plished, aid he would not now have even the
show for claiming to have been active in
securing appropriations.
The idea that Mr.. RICE has been literal,
ly benefactor to the Territory through his
influence in Congress has been so sedulous-
ly inculcated upon the general mind, and
the estimate of what he has dOne rests in
manner so vague, and is kept purposely
so, that it is time plain tale should set
him down.
We trust our readers gave careful heed
TO the statement Of Captain SIMPSON, pub
lshed yesterday, III which the whole his
tory Of the appropriations for public inn
provements in the Territory is ably and
clearly set forth. 1t will there he seen that
all the appropriations for which Mr.. RICE
is entitled to anything like credit for is
$35, 900 only. 1t will further be seen that
the incipient steps in regard to most of the
public improvements here, were not made
by him, nor taken during his incumbency.
What he mainly did was, to aid the pas
sage of bills to complete that which had been
well begun, and as the estimates proceeded
from here and from the War Department,
which really presented them, he is entitled
to no other credit than that of simply dis
charging his duty as public servant in a
public matter, which was ready prepared
to his hands.
And yet the Winona Argus and kindred
papers would have its readers believe that
of himself, alone, Mr. RICE has secured to
the Territory munifcent donations of over
one million Of dollars! and it parades the
statement with Us grave face as if truth
was in every lineament How false it is
may be best judged by the figures which
are to be found in Captain SIMPSONS card.
Mr.. RICE grows small by degrees and
considerably less in the public estimation
every day. The trumpet tones of truth are
ringing throughout the land, and as his ell
rors and weaknesses are one after another
exposed, the prestiege of success which he
fondly deemed to belong to him, at the
opening of the campaign, is fading as the
mists of the morning
DAKOTA COUNTY.-We invite the atten-
ton Of the Democrats of Dakota county to
the call in another column, for a mass Con-
vention to assemble on the lst proximo to
nominate candidates for the Legislative and
county Offices. There should be a full at
tendance from all parts of the county.