The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-01-08
Legislation.

Liquidation.
It was wise apothegm of Andrew Jackson,
that the "world is governed too much" This
perhaps applies to the States and Territories
of the American Union-if we take it in refer
ence to the amount of legislation therein
with greater force than to any other part OF
the world. 1t is a system with most of our
legislators, particularly in the new States, to
tear down annually the structures reared by
their immediate predecessors. The delteriOus
effects of such course, in unsettling the bust
ness and social relations Of communities, need
not be pointed out in detail. They are appa-
rent to every rejecting mind.
Former Legislatures of Minnesota have CIV
en- us a code of laws, which though, of course
not entirely perfect, and applicable in every
instance to the wants of our people, are per-
haps more nearly so than has ever been allot-
ted community 80 young in political Or
ganization. We are not aware that there ex-
lists among any of the members of the present
Legislative Assembly disposition to materi-
ally alter or tear to pieces this code. We hope
not, at least. That there are defects and dis
crepancies which need the application of the
pruning knife of practical experience, we do not
at all doubt. That the present Legislative au
thority has the discernmcnt and judgment
necessary to enable it to apply the knife in the
proper quarter, we have also full confidence,
should it be deemed advisable to take the mat
ter in hand the present session.
Looking over the whole ground, we can
scarcely see an important general measure,
necessary under the present state of things,
that should occupy the time and attention Of
members at this session. The exciting question
of apportionment may or may not come up
Some of the members appear willing to let the
old law stand; others wish slight alterations,
and others go for an entire remodellng. Who
ther the data can be procured in the shape of an
enumeration of the inhabitants the past year,
upon which to base a new apportionmcnt, de-
ponds entirely upon the manner the assessors
have discharged their duties in the different
districts We fear if all have executed their
trusts in the careless and bungling manner of
some we know OF, there has been no census ia
ken at all, which would afford proper ground
upon which to found a representative system.
But this is for the members themselves to
judge.
Many local questions of considerable impor
lance will come up the present session The
leading one will he the cutting up of the re-
Gently coded lands into new counties. This is
delicate matter to approach, as it is almost
impossible for members to legislate knowingly
nnon II with a Wow To oyfopdipn bo rrroo toct
good to the greatest number. By recent de-
cision of our worthy Chief Justice, it is declar-
ed that a law cannot be submitted to the peo-
pie as final act in order to give it binding
force. Hence, the convenient and generally
most satisfactory mode of settling county seat
questions by an appeal to the voters of the
county, is thrown overheard. The seat of JUS
tice, if established at all, must be done by di-
rect vote Of the Legislative Assembly. And
as every "claim" almost, all over the Sioux
country, expects to be county seat, we can
see in advance a multitude of troubles and
perplexities that will beset members in defn-
ing the lines and establishing seats of justice
for the new counties.
But we believe there are enough "cool
heads in this Legislature, not only to "let
we'll enough alone" as far as regards prior en-
actments, but also to manage successfully
whatever new and necessary measures may
come up. Time alone, however, can test this.
The two houses, so far as talent and experience
are concerned, compare favorably with any
previous Legislature. If they follow the ex-
ample of their predecessors, and act with more
especial reference to the general good of the
whole Territory, than with a view to forward
the ends of party or faction, they will get
through fright side up Otherwise, it must
be different