The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-08-26


Ksokuk, Tuesday, Aug. soth, in the evening
franklin Centre, Lee Co., Wednesday, Aug. 5 LIST,
in the afternoon.
Fort Madison, Thursday, September 1st, in the
evening.
Fairfield, Monday. Sept. sth, in the afternoon.
Ottumwa, Tuesday Sept. 9Th,
Oskaloosa, Wednesday Sept. 7th, in the evening.
PeilA, Thursday September 9Th,
ternoon.
Newton, Saturday Sept. 10th, in the evening.
Homestead, Iowa Co., Monday, Sept. 18th, in the
Afternoon.
The Homestoaa Btli.-How and why
was killed.
We stated in . previous article that the
Homestead bill had passed the House of Rep
resentatives several times during as many
years. And We showed BY the vote that the
Republican party was unit in it's favor and
succeeded 10 putting it through with the aid
OF the North Americans and few struggling
Democrats from the North and West. We
now propose to show how it has Jared in the
Senate, that stronghold of the Slaveocracy,
where the Democratic party has had ma
)srity OF two to one during the whole period
IN which this Homestead question has been
before Congress. Some three several times
this bill has passed the House Of Representa-
tives, and ~ often it has gone to the Locofo-
co Slaveocratic Senate, where it has been
crushed with contempt, treated with neglect,
or kicked aside to make way for the Cuba
bill or some other favorite bill Of the slave
holders. 1t has never even been honored in
the Senate with direct vote on the question
OF its passage; for the reason we presume
that the aspirants for the Presidency prefer
red not to place themselves square upon the
record against this fsvorite measure Of the
people.
To give our readers q clear idea how and
with what motives the Locofoco Senate man
aged to squelch the Homestead bill, we give
succinct history Of the action Of that body on
the bill, last winter, with extracts from the
remarks Of members who participated in the
transactions of the death scene.
On the 18th Of February Mr.. WADE, Re-
publican Senator from Ohio, moved to take
up the Homestead bill which had passed the
House Of Representatives.
SLIDELL, Locofoco from Louisiana, OBJ
jected, and tried to wiring in another matter !;
but Wade insisted.
Then REID, Looofoco from North Carroll
ma, interposed, and said that Homestead
bill had already been laid on the table during
this session, and that the Senate had, by q
solemn vote, shown its opposition to Home
stead bill the previous session.
FITCH, doughface from Indiana, tried to
shove it of by insisting on his right to make
report on Printing. This matter caused
controversy and delay, as he intended but
Wade finally let him make his report, still
keeping the Homestead on hand.
Atthis stage, ANDREW JOHNSON, Dem.
ocrat from Tennessee, who FIRST suggested the
Homestead, dozen years ago, came to Mr..
Wade's assistance, and said, amongst other
things, Of the bill:
II has received the Endorsement and sane
ton OF the popular judgment OF this country
and has been sent to this body; but, some.
how or her,-sometimes by indirect iegis-
idtion, sometimes by passing 1t oper,--the
proposition has been defeated; but do hone
we shall have final action upon the subject
now"
Reid spoke again on the other side.
Then HUNTER, Of Virginia, the leader Of
the Senate, and = most formidable candidate
Tor the Presidency, followed in the effort to
"aave off" and spoke several times. He
said:
II DO not conceal the fact that am much
opposed to it; but ! suppose when this bill
comes up it must be the subject Of debate
80 immense an appropriation Of lands as ii
proposes cannot pass, presume, without
COMMENT
Number Of other Senators engaged in the
conversation and consumed 4 good deal Of
time Finally vote was taken on Wade's
motion to take up the Homestead bill and j,
was carried BY one majority. But right there
Mr. Hunters motion TO postpone the HON o.
stead bill came up, and precisely the same
"gans" Of ssaving Of was played over.
STUART, Anti -Lscomptonite from Mich
gan, opposed postponemcnt.
MASON, Of Virginia, backed up his col
league, Hunter, and said, 10 the course OF
his rcmsrks: 81 have not ye. known in The
Senate, bill % frsught with mischief, and
mischief Of the most demoralizing tendency.
~ the Homestead bill"