The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-03-27

one Representative, and this the substirute
gives them. Their interests will moi be
jeoparaiized by being attached TO Benton
aud Cass. Here, IN the ceded portions Of
the Territory, where the population IS per-
rnaBent, the single district system ought tn
he, aud is hy the substitute 1 have had the
honor to offer, strictly adhered To. can
see 40 force in the argument, that It Is
wrong 10 give dlsproportionate represen-
taiion in the two houses to certain dis
tricts.
Mn. OLMsrEp.-Mr. Chairman, offer
a substitute in accordance with the views
expressed the other day. THE substitute
was read. Ii proposed to cut down the re-
presentation 10 three Councillors aud Ave
representatives, and divided the Territory
into districts accordingly This substitute
meets my views, Mr.. Chairman, and |
hope it win find favor with others. The
gentleman from Mendoza Mr.. McLeed]
has partially expressed himself in favor OF
il. aud so has The gentleman from Marine,
Mr.. LOOMS. lt,may, and perhaps will
be argued that it is unconstitutional, mas
much as the organic act declares that the
Legislature shall consist Of greater mum
her; but | have not the least doubt that
Congress will sanction our action at the
next session, and make the necessary
amenl,nent TO that acf. They will he very
willing to do this, if for no other reason,
that the United States will save annually
about 900 in our legislative expendi-
tues.
Mr.. McLEop.-The gentleman is mis-
taken if he supposes that ], IN earnest, gave
him any encouragement, that was in favor
Of this measure Of his. prefer decrease
of representation to an increase; but find
the gentleman from Cottage Grove, Mr..
Norris] and the gentleman from Long
Prairie Mr.. Olms,ed1 occupying the two
extremes. | prefer something between the
two; and am content to let the representa-
ton remain as it is. cannot think the
gentleman from Long Prairie sincere in Of
fering his proposition. Ii looks like mere
child's play. Neither can !, as before
remarked, see any Justification for an in
crease. The greneraI government will not,
with our present population, expect it.
The gentleman from Cottage Grove has
taken occasion, to characterize the citizens
of Pembina as a band Of rowing hunters,
" no are, not entitled to our regards. Sir, is
this rights it Amercan--is it Democratic
to shut these people from out the pale of
our free government, because they are hun
ters? Are they not men! Why is not the
hunter AS good IMAM as the farmer, or the
merchant, or the mechanic! This is new
and strange doctrine to come from the
source it does. 1t is a new principle, sir.
in republican government, which do not
understand. The gentlemen must he aware
that it is contemplated during the present
year to purchase of the Indians tract Of
country at Pembiua, SO that these people
can acquire right to their lands in fee
simple. The time may come when these
de-p;sed hunters will he an impregnable
bulwark to shield our northern frontier
from the tonahawk and scalping-kniie Of
the savage. contend, sir, tina TIVE have no
authority to infringe upon the right of these
people, by cutting them off with one repre-
sentative, when they are entitled, aud more
than entitled, to two.
Mn. FoRBEs.-Ge utemen when they at
tack the census returns of Pcmbina, and The
character Of the people there, had better
lock at facts. We have heard them called
a set Of wild hunters, who care nothing
about civil government. would call the
attention Of the gentlemen from Cottage
Grove to a memorial from the Pembinese TO
his exceIency, Gov. Ramsey, dated eigh-
teen months ago, which he will find printed
in the appendix to the journal Of our last
session. 1t is signed by one hundred names,
all voters, and claims the protection of our
government to shield them from the oppres-
sion of their British neighbors. Ii has been
stated that scarcely any, if any at oil, Of
these people are engaged in agriculture. 1t
is true that the high water Of last season
drowned their COPS on Red river, and
when the census was Iaken their agricultu-
l. H..
we have more recent vices, tina, they
have formed another settlement at the foot
of the Porcupine mountains, where the
land is high, and that they are preparing
for extensive planting the coming season.
Sir, ] know these people, and know their
desires; and their most ardent wish Is to be
allowed to partake, with other citizens of
The Territory, in all the bene fits and respOn-
siblitIes of our government.
Mr.. OLMsTED.-l have no desire, Mr..
Chairman, to depart froM the census re-
turns wherever they are correct; but can
point out innu,nerahle instances where the
returns are false. Since this hill was last
up, have been looking over the returns,
and have detected many errors. Were
time allowed, have no doubt many more
could he found have the tables here be-
Dakota and Wahashaw counties many per-
sons are not only enumerated thrice, but
that there are fictitious names on the list
names of persons who never lived within
those counties or perhaps anyw here else.
Why then base large representation npun
returns so manfestly erroneous! cannot
see why these migrating hunters of Penbi-
ma are entitled to SO large a representation.
do not believe there are 80 white people
there; and here it is proposed TO give them
a representation based upon poi. ulation OF
nearly 700. The soldiers, too, in Dakota
county were enumerated; ami although
they might all have left there since, still il
appears they also must be made the basis of
a portion of the representation. he whole
scheme is manifeslly unjust to other por-
tons of the Territory.
Mr.. McLEoD.-An explanation in re-
gard to the duplicate returns from Waba-
shaw and Dakota, is simple and easy. The
line between the two counties. as established
last session, was made by mistake; and it
was disputed matter where it run. Hence
the assistant marshals, who took the census
OF these counties, were led astray, and in
one or two instances both enumerated the
same persons. do not think the whole Of