The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-07-24
oers who are DESTROYS of passing proper

Oers WHO are oeSlTous OF passing proper
laws.
1t is proposed, then, to re-enart the
law Of 1912, which has been read by my
worthy friend over the way, [Mr. Jones,
Of Tennessee. And what is the ne
cessity of it 1t appears to me to be
trifling with the wisdom of the country,
that we should ever pass a law that is
commonly disregarded, according to the
statement of the chairman Of the Com
mittee of Ways and Means. 1t seems to
me, that the only corrective is to refuse
to pay the money. This declaration that
we will not pay will not be needed SO
long as we do pay. This amendment is
only re-enactment of the law of 1912.
Mr.. Sibley. Is it in order TO move an
amendment to this amendment
The Chairman. 1t is not. -@.
MIR. Jones, of Tennessee. l submit
the question to the Chair, whether the
motion Of the gentleman from Virginia to
strike out the whole amendment, is itself
in order?
The Chairman. If that Question had
been raised, the Chair would have decid-
Gu IL was not In order.
Mr.. Jones. Then it is not too Late
l make that question now.
The Chairman. The Chair must de-
eide, then, that the motion of the gentle
man from Virginia is out of order.
MIR. Jones. pres' me, then, that the
gentleman from Minnesota, Mr.. Sibley,l
can offer his amendment?
Mr.. Sibley. l move to strike out of
the prOviso the words "unless previous
ly sanctioned by law" l do this for the
purpose Of saying few words upon tho
subject before the committee. l am OPP
posed to the amendment of the gentleman
from Virginia, Mr.. Meade. 1t is true
there is provision in the law of 1912, pro-
hibting the authorities of the several
Territories from exceeding the amount
appropriated by Congress for the support
of the government therein. But, Mr..
Chairman, that law was passed before the
organization of any of the Territories
now in existence, and it is highly desira-
BILE that it should be brought forward for
the information of all concerned, as the
renewed expression of determination to
restrict the Legislative Assemblies in the
Territories within the limits prescribed
in the annual appropriations made by
Congress. In my opinion, the Senate
clause should be retained as a standing
admonition TO the Territorial authorities.
But inasmuch as that clause has been
appended TO the section in the deficiency
bill, making provision for the payment Of
certain liabilities which have been incur
red by the Legislature of Minnesota in
advance of an appropriation, and the re-
marks of gentlemen who have preceded
me would seem to intimate that there was
something very censurablc in that body
for so doing, beg leave to state that
each and every item provided for, was in.
troduced and pressed through this House
and the Senate by me, with full con-
viction that it was right and proper in
itself, and ought to be paid. The Legis-
lative Assembly did not desire to exceed
the amount appropriated, but necessity
prompted that body to anticipate the ac-
ton of Congress, in appointing a commits
sion TO prepare code Of laws, in making
to meet the expenses Of
printing and binding the volume for cir
culation among the people, and in provid-
ing for the payment of certain individuals
who had performed valuable services
more or less directly connected there
with. This was the exigency that iusti-
fled the Territorial authorities in tho
seeming disregard of the prohibitions Of
the law of 1912. The Legislature would
not have asked, nor would l have been
the medium Of preferring a request that
Congress should sanction, by its action,
any anticipation of its usual appropriate
tions, not rendered indispensable by the
circumstances of the case. Admitting that
the clause passed by the Senate is but a
relteration of an existing law, as contend
ed by the gentleman from Virginia Mr..
Meade, there can no harm arise from
such repetition. The Territorial As
semblies will have their attention direct
ed particularly TO it as their future rule
of action and for my own part, am not
anxious to have the responsibility thrown
upon me of bringing forward hereafter
any claims for liquidation which may
have arisen from the action of the Leeis-
lature of my own Territory, in exceeding
the amount appropriated by Congress. 1
have found that hill very difficult to
climb, and although l have happily reach
ed the top in this particular case, the diff
culties in the. path are of too formidable
a character to invite second trial. | re-
peat the expression of my desire, that the
Senate clause may be retained. with
roN IL al, g
the committee.
After some further passes between
Messrs. Meade, Sibley and Houston, the
Of Mr.. Sibley was with
drawn, and the Senato's amendment disa,
greed to by the committee.
Rocro~ Tr1., IN