WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1857
441
to the one hundred I have supplied throughout the country; and I have no doubt that my colleague has received a corresponding number. Whether we are disposed to appropriate for purposes that I deem needful, or not depends upon the pleasure of the Senate. For my own part, I shall urge it; and while I occupy a place in this Senate, I shall advocate the publication of the Patent Office report, as well as the acquisition and distribution of seeds, and the various plants and cuttings that are necessary for the improvement of fruits and culinary vegetables. I will not occupy the time of the Senate longer. I have only risen for the purpose of expressing my desire that an appropria- tion so useful to the community should be continued or extended
to a much greater length than it has yet been. 1 Congressiomtl Globe, 1856-1857, Part 2, p. 1074.
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ON THE BILL FOR THE ENLARGING AND BEAUTIFYING THE CAPITOL GROUNDS, MARCH 3, 1857 1 I do not know that I have any particular objection to this amendment; I do not care how magnificent or extensive the de- sign may be; but there is one principle in the amendment of the Senator from Delaware to which I object. By it the Govern- ment assumes the whole power and privilege of determining what the rights of the citizens are. They have no option, no election in the matter. The amendment of the Senator from Delaware gives the circuit court of this district power to appoint five com- missioners for the purpose of determining the value of this property. The judge can appoint them from any part of the District of Columbia he may think proper-persons acquainted or unacquainted with the value of the property involved in this bill of condemnation. The action of the commissioners is to be final, or rendered so by the fiat of the Secretary of the Interior, and the citizens are liable to be turned out of house and home within forty days after the judgment is rendered. They have no voice in the selection of the arbitrators who are to value their property. It is to be taken from them and confiscated, or appro- priated to Government uses without their consent. It seems to me that in time of profound peace, when no great emergency exists, this would be an act of violence and usurpation towards them which the necessities of the Government do not sanction. If the citizens are allowed any election-if they were to be heard by any representative or persons selected by themselves, there
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