Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-02-12
CONGRESSIONAL
MAsu1NGroN. Saturday. Feb. !

w saturday, rep. 4.
SENATE-Mr. Weller from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported
back, with an amendment, the House
bill giving increased pay to army Off
GERS, and will ask its consideration carly
next week.
Mr.. Bigler presented nineteen memo
rails from merchants and others in Phil
adelphia, praying for the adoption of
measures for increasing the trade be-
tween the United States and Africa.
Mr.. Seward presented three from the
same city.
The subject was referred to the Com
mite on Commerce.
MI. Toombs presented a memorial
from General Shields and other citizens
of Minnesota, setting forth that although
that Territory contains two hundred
thousand inhabitants, yet it has hitherto
received no grant of land in conformity
with the policy of the Government to
grant lands, upon certain conSiderati Ons,
to new States for railroad purposes
they set forth that three years ago Con-
gress made a grant to Minnesota, but
owing to the unwarrantab!c interference
of persons whose interests were not iden-
tilted with the Territory, the grant was
subsequently, repealed. At the last ses-
sion there was another application to
Congress for aid, but the constant and
pcrtinacious interference OF infiuenccf for
eign to the good of the Territory pre-
vented action on the application, while
many other States were made the rccip-
tents of the bounty of the Govern
At the present session Minnesota
the House Committee on Public Lands
were maturing Il bill for her benefit, q
cry offraud was raised against the meas
ure. Without wishing to impu9n the
motives Of any person, they beg leave to
say that, so far as Minnesota and her cit
liens are concerned, they invite the
most rigid scrutiny into each and every
act, and are constrained to believe that
moneyed and other influences,
over which they had no control, have
to make the necessities OF
an opportunity to speculate
on the li5erality of Congress and the vi
tai interests of that young and vigorous
Territory.
Mr.. Toombs said this petition present
a curious state of Things. lie had
careful attention to itand thought
it we'll worthy the consideration Of Con
sress.
The inhabitants of Minnesota have
been made the sport of outside s~pecula-
tors. Their just rights ought to be re-
s2ected, and their request was relsona-
bic that grants of land be made TO the
Legislature subject to their own future
disposition, instead Of designating par
companies.
lie introduced a bill making grants
n accordance with the prayer of the pc
which was referred to the Com
on Public Lands.
Several private bills were then pass
ID.
HOCSE.-Nr. Grow gave notice OF
us intention to obtain Tuesday next
a vote on the bill to repeal the laws
# Kansas.
The bill appropriating S25, GOO for
completion of the Capitol building
or Utah was taken up, when
Mr. Dunn wished to know whether
he people CT that Territory were not liv-
NJ in violation Of the laws of the Uni
ed States and in public contempt of.
good morals ana the religion of the civ
lized world.
MIR. Grow said the Committee on Ter
%,itorics had been governed by estimates
rom the Treasury Department.
Mr.. Merrill reminded the House of the
passage ola resolution calling for infor-
relative to the people Of Utah.
,ut that no response had yet been made
o that inquiry, though the correspond
nee on that subject is on file in the De-
oartmcnt.
The bill was laid aside, with a recon-
nendation not to pass the bill appropri-
ting $4,000 for completing the ca pitol
at Omaha. City.
Mr.. Letchcr had seen it stated that
he Legislature Of Nebraska intended
o remove the capital. If so, there
ras no necessity for this aprropr;a-
Mr.. Chapman replied that it was a
bill, for that purpose was passed,
ut was vetoed by the Governor, and is
ow considered entirely lost. The place
} which it was sought to remove the
lpital was unknown, and it is supposed
here is not a citizen living within TWEEN ;
Y miles. :
Mr.. Whitfield wanted a similar appro-
Tiation for Kansas. The people Of
nat Territory are now as orderly and I
as any portion of the Union. Some {
f the so-called odious laws have been t
and others will be. Congress
hould deal with the same liberaiity and :
toward Kansas as they do toward !
Their Territories. {
Mr.. Grow explained that $4,000 had t
been drawn for the Kansas cap +
oil, but the Secretary Of the Treasury ;
rs nothing to show whether the money
lall be expended. /
The bill for completing the Nebraska
lpitol and one ola similar character for
Mexico passed.
Also, a bill aPpropriating $4,000 for
'ads in Nebraska.
The House perfected bill for appro- e
100000 for the construction d
! wagon-road from Fort kearney, i'll a
oI,AIo -. IL Gil, D.. - Al