The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-04-03
Two O'clock, P. M.

CELSIUS ldkeTS. AIter ne uou cOnCIuGeQ,
Mr. Iilden very decidedly informed him
that what he had said of census takers,
at least so far as Dakota county was cen
cerned, was false. The gentleman from
st. Anthony had not much to say in re-
ply. Mr. TiIden further explained mat
tiers in regard to the census, differing
very much with the assertions of MIR.
North.
Mr.. Rice occupied the remainder OF
the session in addressing the lobby, 60
ing strong against the bill, the Fur Com
pany, and Gov. Ramsey; in fact, ags inst
everything but Benton county.
speech of the Hon. Michael f. Ames.
in the House of Representatives OF
Minnesota Territory, on Saturday tn d:
goth day of March, 1851, Oh the Bill
to Apportion the Representation OF
the Territory.
Mr.. AMEs. (,he Speaker of The House, }
having called Mr.. Blunson 10 the chair
spoke as follows:
Mr.. STANDARDIZATION the various stages
through which this bill has passed, and the
intense interest excited by H. in this House
and out Of il, should DO injustice to my
self and be delinquent in The discharge OF
my duty 10 my constituents, To withhold
now unl here, the expression OF my opin-
ions upon IT,
This bill, or one with eXarily the same
provisions, was up here, on Thursday last
for the consideration of this House. A sub
sti,u;e for the bill Mas offered, and in sup
port Of that substitute, a member from ST.
Paul, Mr. Rice whsm fail to see in his
! seat to-day, made speech of great length
aud ability. | did not then entirely concur
in the provisions Of the hill ansl " as willing
to move certain amendments, rather, inuSt
say, in a spirit of concession than through
any want of conviction o. the fairness and
Justice OF this bill us ii now is. But after
listening to Mr.. Rice, able speech for two
hours, To ii part Of which had desire to
reply, promptly, thci. aud there, IN the pres
ence of the large asse,hlage who heard IL,
was deprived by a sudden adjournment
Of any opportunity either to reply or 10 of
fer such amendments 10 the bill, us It's oppo-
nents ought certainly To admit, carried con
cession to the utmost verge and limit, con
sisteut with constitutional basis of repre-
senta,lon. | am not complaining of the adj
journmcnt, although believe every gentle
man will concesie that was entitled 10 The
floor upon every principle of courtesy, II,
least desired an opportunity after
the adjournment, of meeting IT..
sane gentleman IN this house 10
hear my reply; but yesterday ,sorn,ng,
the gentlemen who opposed The bin did not
appear in their seats; and Ivy an unfortunate
coincidence, it appeared in the morning
tina, the bill bad been teloniousIy distracted
from the desk of the clerk, from amongst
other papers, Ivy breaking orcn the desk. o.
that officer. A duplicate of the bill, how cv-
err, being in existence, it was taken NJ and
passed through It's various stages iv both
Houses on yesterday; so that, in fact, the
same bill is now before Us, on it's third
reading; aud proceed TO submit to you NV
views upon IT.
Now, sir, never fully concurring in The
bill, deemed it one of such vital imteres, Ia
the people, that was anxious for il, full
discussion and most careful consideration.
had an amendment prepared, which provi-
ded for taking one representative from Penn.
bina aud adding one to Benton / did not
think il quite right; but seeing the interest
felt in the matter, hy gentlemen here with
whom have acted, and whom / regarded
as my friends, was disposed to make This
concessions; other amendments, quite as i'm.
portaut, in the opinion of all, should have
offered; hut there is no longer an oppor,n.
nity ! had hoped III meet member. all
here, to assist US in finishing this inpor,nnt
business; with the help of my friends. and
upon an exposition III full Of the reasons for
these amendments, felt confident they
could and would be carried. For this pur-
pose, | felt anxious yesterday. that the bill
should be deferred until today, hopng 10
meet members all here. am disa, pointed
in this; tn. bill is now on its third reading
aud will proceed to discuss its merits.
/ consider the basis of this bill, introduced bv
the Hon. Martin Nc Leod, 10 be right That
representation should stand upon the Census
that representation should be proporioned To pop
ulation, is not 10 be disputed in this age or in
this attitude.
But il rs said there errors in the census re-
turns; and doubtless there are. A census is se-
dom or never absolutely accurate; bot ii there
errors believe they are unintentiona and ,h.,t
the deputy marshnls who took the census un-
der aud by the appointment Of the late marshal
discharged their duty faithfully and honestly ac-
cording to their oa,hs Ii is said, truly no doubt,
that the census Of Penbna was taken at sea-
son The year, when much Of The population
enumerated. was there temporarily for hunting
purposes. Not at all doubling the integrity OF
the deputy marshal, who WAS perhaps Il stranger
there, it is presumed BILE that he could not always
designate strangers from others.
But by way Of comparison. to ascertain whcth-
er or not the provisions of this bill just and
equitable, let US see what representation it allots
TO the several districts, according to the census
The Is, Council Dist. including the counties
Chisago. ltasca and Washington, had popuIa-
ilon on the Isl of June last 81 1868. Here then
- the basis 81 representation; te: one member cr
the Council represents population Of tss, as