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Morning Herald
New York, New York County, New York
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Report from Washington on April 13, 1838: Senate passes graduation bill reducing public land prices over time; Ruggles corruption investigation ends without evidence; Norvell proposes resolution penalizing absent senators amid Webster's absence; private claims commissioners bill postponed. Congress awaits news from the city.
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Washington, April 13, 1838.
The graduation bill passed the Senate today by a considerable majority. This bill provides that after December next, all the public lands remaining unsold for four years, shall be subject to entry at $1 per acre; for ten years at 75 cents per acre, and for fifteen years at 50 cents per acre. It is probable the bill will pass the House, and the public lands will finally be given away.
The Ruggles investigation has terminated as was expected, in nothing. The committee report that there is not sufficient evidence to establish the charges of corruption made against him; but they do not say that it is highly discreditable in a senator to employ his interest with the government, professionally or otherwise, for his own emolument.
Mr. Webster having occasion to go home on business, Mr. Norvell has offered a resolution that no senator shall absent himself without leave or from sickness, under the penalty of a forfeiture of his pay during his absence. This was carrying the war into Africa, sure enough, during the absence of Hannibal—but it is a matter that the Massachusetts Hannibal cares but little about. The American Norvel may boast like his Scotch namesake—
"And Heaven directed came this day to do
The happy deed that gilds my humble name."
After all, I think it is a proper and judicious regulation, and should have been adopted long ago.
The consideration of the bill to establish a board of Commissioners, to decide upon private claims, has been postponed till next Friday. Both Houses were engaged on private business today, and waiting with great impatience and anxiety for news from your city.
HORACE.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Washington
Event Date
April 13, 1838
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Outcome
graduation bill passed senate by majority, likely to pass house; ruggles investigation terminated without sufficient evidence of corruption; norvell's resolution offered to penalize absent senators; private claims bill postponed to next friday.
Event Details
The Senate passed the graduation bill providing graduated pricing for unsold public lands starting after December next. The investigation into charges of corruption against Senator Ruggles concluded with insufficient evidence, though his actions were noted as discreditable. Amid Senator Webster's absence, Senator Norvell proposed a resolution forfeiting pay for unexcused absences. The bill for a board of commissioners on private claims was postponed. Both houses handled private business while awaiting news.