Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-22


by the Democracy. We are glad to know that
he may expect frank and honest counsel from
those he may see 6t to consult. Indeed, We
never before saw the Democrats party pubic
men assembled here a. such time apparently
so universally dispos ed to look shields together
in defence of a common policy founded on
perfect identity of Political sentiments. The
fact Of the great strength Of the main opposi-
tion-the Republican party-is probably at
the bottom Of this unanimity; for, being bu.
man, the tendency Of such matters as are
necessarily to transpirs here for some months
to come, would be, when that could be in.
dulged in with comparative safety, to give rise
to intrigues, personal jealousy, &c. TIE wolf
being at the door, however, all realize that
the policy Of safety for the future is solely 10
presenting an united front to it--standing, as
i: does, ready to throttle the Democracy in
the next national contest, if all its valiant and
trusted leaders be not prepared at all points to
resist its contemplated onslaught
Western Land SpeoulatioDs An unknown
correspondent sends US the following interest
| iEg communication concerning speculatiOns in
lands donated by the General Government for
educational purposes:
WESTERN LAND SPEcULArIoNs There is
said to be proposition before the present
Congress directing the disposition of portion
| CT the school lands in the Territories, and e;-
| l'ecia:ly ia Minnesota, which deserves some
consideration. The act organizing that Ter
| rit0ry sets apart sections 10 and IS in every
al Il, e IL l., to- -
State.
Many settlers who 'Equctted' in that couI-
try bef're the Government surveys were com
p!6ted, md themselves now upon one or the
| other CT these sections In most Instances,
| these persons, being actual settlers not wish
lrg TO sell their lands On speculation, are not
likely to complain of The chance which gives
| them their farms tor al Indefinite period " ish
out The necessity Of paying for them until such
time as the State government shall 90 into
operation aid provide for their purchase
But by certain parties an act Of Congress is
proposed providing that these lands may be
pre-emp.ed by the settlers, and other lands,
perhaps Vaiueless, substituted for schools
There may Be instances where such an act
would not be objected to by the real settler
But In all cases he went upon his land know
Ing that an uncertain period must transpira
before the survey, and knowing that he stood
ons chance in eighteen to fall upon a school
se'tioh Ior "hlch, under ell presidents, he
could get no title until after the organization
OF State government. The majority of those
who have selected these particular locations
Tor homes bona td6, are pleased with the &C.
cident which makes their lands free home
stead FOX an indefinite period.
The western States have always proyiici
literally for this Class Of settlers; and as Mil
nesota Is ABOUT TO come In as State, it may
De Questioned whether any action of Cons ross
Is called for at present Section sixteeu, con-
ing always near the centre Of a township is
supposed 10 be more valuable than an outside
section, and for this very reason was selected
Tor the purpose of creating liberal school
iund' "heTe either OK these sections happen
10 be parto Of or adjoin fourishing town sitss.
80 as TO be feasible = additions" thew are ca
peclaiiJ valuable for purposes Of speculation,
ard theTe may be instances where the actual
settiefs, OF persons 1Ca0 lace 6qregfaea to
PuTChase from Mfn, can afford to pay g. lob
Dies Tor getting bill through this Congress
Whlch VIII enable them to buy these lands,
heretofore sacred to school purposes, at dol
| lar and a quarter an acre, when, a. fair pub
lie sale, they would bring fifty or hundred
dollars an scre-not on account Of the 1" i'm
proVements, which Of course belong 10 the
settler, hut On account of the chance Of their
location, an advantage which belongs rigb.-
fuliy 10 the school fund of the township
All of course desire that some way shonId
their titles n due season, upon fair and inst
terms; but whether Congress shall be in haste
u enabie spectators to make quick reaIizf
tion by directing the disposition Of lands il
has already given away and dedicated to the
soie use O. schools, Instead Of leaving the mat
Yer 10 the State Legislature, may be doubted
oy any one not interested in town lots and
additions.
The Bill The following is the bill rep,rted
yesterday by Mr.. Orr, from the Investigating
Committee, the enactment Of which is made
necessary, in their judgment, by the coptu
macy oil the witness now nominaiiy held in
the custody of Deputy Sergeant-at-A Arms Of
the body
BILL more efeetuaiIy to enforce the attendance
OF %itnesses on the summons Of either House
or congress, and 70 compel them to discoy sr
testimony. ~ q
BE az enacted, &c, That any ne-so, ybo ,,,y
Dc scm,non5d as witness BY The authors w n
eItnrf mouse OF Congress TO give testimoDy or 10
IoIsn any papers upon any matter Defor,e either
oate or befofe any standing or select co on,nifss
u e-t.ef Rouse, and who shall wilfully make de-
IHC.t, Or VINO, appearing, refuses to ,scoyer AIN
l: S ana cir, uInstances Within his knowledge
WEE demanded, In addition TO I'd q nains and
penalties now existing shall be liarIe RI indic.
inent as Tor misds.G eanor In any ccmrtof The I'M
.ed sta;es ha:ing Jurisdiction thereof, and on
,La,'so-I -ndli PAY nne Dot exceeding one
tnoGSaho dollars and NOT les,, than one hundred
,,o.,S and suffer imprisonraent in the peniten-
, not less than one nonth nos more Nh An
". Give months ~
Sec. =. And De IL further enacted, That no ner
son Il mined and tsStifJ.ng before either u6u G
OF congress, on eny Committee OF either House OF
congress, shaH De beid TO answer criminally I'm
any eour, OF Jdstice In tie United States or sub
eci 10 any prn2ity forfeiture for any fact or act
o1ching which Le shall te required 10 testify be.
t tTae ei.nei NOISE o! any committee OF either
hoise Is afoiesaid, and 10 which he shall have
testified, whether before after the da'c OF this
ac' la tha' no statement made or paper pro
ductd by any witness before ither House Il Ton
sfeSs sLatl De comre:eEt testimony In any Gin
isa! preceding against such witness In any cour,
lowed to refuse TO testify TO any fact or produce
any Paper, toucnnS which he may DC examined
" ether House OF Congress or any committee of
elmer House for the reason that his testimonv
touching such fact or the production Of such ma
peIs may lead to disgrace him or otherwise render
him infamous. '