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

"fptc 10 ptFsou 10 make tue enumeration,
WHICH was accordingly done; but the re-
turns did nor reach here u time to be emf
l'od'ed in The census. ~ what authority
could they have been received, il taken ia
this manhersl
After some further debate, the question
was taken npon Mr.. Olnsted's substitute,
aud decided in the negative.
On motion of Mr.. Loo,nis. the commit
tee then rose, and reported the bill back to
The Council as amended.
The amendments were concurred in, aud
The bill laid on the table, and made the spe-
cial order for to-murrow.
Friday, March 81.
Mr.. Forbes moved to take up the special
order Of the day.
Mr.. OimSted and Mr.. Norris made an
unsuccessful effort to pass it over, when
Mr.. STuRGIs moved To amend the bill Ivy
making the counties Of Benton, Cass and
Penbina, one Council district, to elect two
Councillors; the counties of Benton and
Cass to elect three Representatives, ind the
county Of Pemhina one.
Mr.. Norris spoke ia favor Of the amend
nsent, again arguing that the people Of Pem-
biua were unworthy Of a larger representa-
ton, nasmuch As they had as yet shown no
interest in the affairs of the Territory.
Mr.. FonBEs. IL appears. Mr.. President,
| from the course taken by the representatives
of Peml,ina on this floor, that they care
very little for the interests Of that portion of
their constituents. BY the proclamation of
the Governor, Pembina and Benton are in
I The same district; and the gentleman from
Long Prairie and the gentleman from Elk
River, MIR. Sturgis] are as much their rep
resen,atIves, rs Of any of the people of Ben
ton county. would again call attention to
the memorial of these people to the Cover
nor last year. MIR. Forbes read an ex-
tract from the memorial. Here they claim
TO be, as they really are, American citizens.
Does sentiments like these emenate from
British subjects. The very thing they most
strongly urge is to be protected from the
dePredatons Of the British power. A del
egation of the Pemhinese, having the same
objects in view, visited the Governor during
the last summer, strongly urging the pro-
tecting arm Of the I'm tied States.
Nh. OLMsrED. | see, there is dstermi-
nation to pu, this hill through as it is. |
have no idea that any amendment which the
minority may offer will prevail. Still,
would like to see some degree Of justice
sUpWu W DcHtOu county. we nave GER
! taimiy right to at least an equal represen-
tation with Dakota; and greater one than
il Is proposed TO give to the rowing British
at Pembina. do not believe there are ten
legal voters there.
r Some further debate took place between
Messrs. Mcleod, Norris, Forbes and Ohm
sted, in regard to the country west Of the
Mississippi, and the right Of soldiers to vote.
mr. ho taI he Nha
charges Of fraud, brought forward yester-
day, were repeated and denied with many
other things, worn thread bare by previous
remarks of the opponents of the bill. Mr..
Ol,nsted finally took occasion to reply to
Mr.. Mcleod with considerable personal ac-
rimOny.]
MIR. Mcleod. There has already
been much debate, Mr. President, on
this bill, but before it comes up for its
final passage or rejection, | desire to Of
fer few additional remarks.
Being bill that interests all the in
habitants of every portion of this Terri
tory. from the first felt solcitous that
it should be based upon just principles,
andin accordance with true republican in
situations, and the wants and wishes ofthe
people Of our Territory. Impressed with
this feeling, and believing it not only
principle of action, but a sacred duty to
vindicate the main features Of the bill
no additional representation--neitber on
the ground that it was democratic, cxpe-
dent, or necessary or demanded by our
constituents Of course was necessta-
ted not only to oppose any additional
representation, but to insist that the ba-
sis of our action in the apportionment Of
representation should be the census re-
turns made by sworn officers of the gov
eminent. This had always been the
rule o: Legislative action in the
older and more experienced communi-
ties of the Union, our correct guides in
such matters, and which experience had
proved the best test that we could not err
greatly.
These were the arguments adduced
when the bill first came up. A few days
aiterward a paper with the nomme de
gucrre, the eccee signum Of Minnesota
Democrat" thought it not proper or hon
est perhaps, but opportune and expedient
to include my name IN one of its edito-
rial paragraphs, asserting most unwar-
rantably and uni ustiiably that the bill
was intended to throw the Legislative
influence OF this Territory into the pow
er of few individuals. This came from
an individual who had been but a short
time among us, BIT who, in assuming the
editorial curile has presumed to affect the
diciatorial; and perhaps thinks that he
has right not only to differ with the
views anc feelings Of more experienced
men in the affairs Of this Territory, but
to drive them, if possible, under whip
and spur to the accomplishment of his
own selfish and interested ends.
Sir, the question has been mooted, l
will not say in this Council, and new
doctrine has obtained circulation, but to
no great extent, to the effect that some
gentlemen entertain constitutional scru-
pies as to the right of the counties in the
Indian country to representation.