The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-10-04
COUNCIL.

COUNCIL. ....t
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 26, lS49.
The journal of yesterday was read.
| Mr.. Norris, on leave, introduced,
No. 3, c. F., Joint resolution relative
to the location of the temporary seat eff
government,
Which was read first and second
time.
Mr.. Burkleo, from the committee on
Territorial Affairs, to whom was refer
red so much of the Governors message
as relates to the temporary location of
the seat of government, made the fol-
lowing report, which was read, viz:
The committee on Territorial Affairs,
to which was referred that portion of the
Governors message relating to the tenn
porary location of the capitol, report:
That the question of the location of
the capital temporarily, has received the
full consideration of your committee,
and after weighing carefully all the vari-
rious reasons which have occurred to
their minds in favor ola change of place,
they are constrained to give it as their
opinion, that St. Paul should continue to
be the seat of government of the Ter
ritory of minnesota, until otherwise deter
mined by vote of the people. Apart
from the fact that st. Paul is the most
central point, so far as the present pop
ulation of the Territory is concerned,
the fact that it is the head of navigation
on the east of the Mississippi, and ac-
cessible to steamboats, is another strong
point in its favor. Your committee believe
that it is the wish Of majority of the
inhabitants of Minnesota, that the loca-
ton of the capital should not be chang
ed. With good roads diverging from
every point, St. Paul is easily reached
at all seasons of the year. Your COM
mittee are not in favor of trammelling
the action of future legislatures, by fix
ing any specified time that the seat of
government shall be continued at ST.
Paul. Circumstances may require that
permanent capital be located at an
early or later day, and they therefore
deem it only necessary to recommend
that the spot for the temporary seat of
government be fixed upon at this ses-
sion. .t
So far as regards the sum of $50, 900
allowed and appropriated by Cong ress
! for the erection of buildings, your COM
mittee can find nothing IN the organic
| law which precludes that fund from be-
/ ing used in the construction of public
buildings at the temporary capital. If
this view is correct, the Territory
must depend upon the Iberality Of the
general government to make a further
grant, whenever the time shall arrive
for the people to decide where the Cap
ital shall be permanently located, if that
decision shall be adverse to the present
site. Your committee beg leave to re-
port for your adoption the following joint
resolution.
. No 4, G. f Joint resolution relative
to the location of the temporary seat of
government. The report of; the COM
mttee was accepted, and the joint reso-
luton was read first and second time.
Mr. Forbes from the committee on the
militia. by leave, made the following
report: f.-..a. sl--y.trsc9 I'D. "a,
The committee on the Militia to whom
was referred so much of the Governors
message as relates to the militia, re-
spectfully <7a s3 O. aiaaua
7., t REPORT, ,Jar
That in the opinion of the committee,
the proper and efficient organization of
militia system within our Territory, is
one of the most important duties devol-
wing upon this Legislature; and your
committee most heartily concur in the
opinion expressed by his Excellency, the
Governor, in his message, that from the
great extent of the frontiers Of this
country, and the number and warlike
character ofthe Indians located within the
Territory and on its borders, we may rea-
sonablyexpecttorealize the experience Of
all other communities situated like our
selves, and be- involved in Indian war
! and difficulties" That spirit of dis
content and feeling Of hostility towards
our people now exists among the Winnie
bagoes, ready to break outin open acts of
outrage, whenever an opportunity offers,
lis lamentable fact, too well known TO our
citizens, and loudly demands that prep
larations on behalf Of the Territory