The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-10-01

dates for reelection, q question touching a
sectarian church matter has been introduced in
to our politics. AS you are no doubt familiar
with the record upon the subject, will you please
give your readers the facts relative to the votes
upon what is generally termed the Catholic
School Bill!" A SUBSCRIBER.
Knowing as We do, that newspaper discus
sons Of questions of this character are always
calculated to infame and excite the public
mind, particularly in communities such as ours,
to an extent dangerous to the public peace; and
at the same time feeling convinced that opin-
ions are thoroughly matured, and determine
tions fully made up in the breast Of almost ev-
cry voter in Minnesota as to how he will cast
his ballot upon this issue, we have not felt
ourselves called upon to say anything calcula-
ted to widen breach SO unfortunately made
between neighbors and citizens. But as res
pected friend calls for the facts in the premises,
we cannot overlook an editorial duty by refus-
ing to give them.
| Upon examining the record, we find upon
pages 100 and l3l ofthe printed Journal of the
last House Of Representatives, the following
proceedings -
| "Ar. Murray. from the Select Committee to
| which was referred sundry petitions for
change in the School Law, made the following
| report:
| A majority of the Committee to whom was
referred sundry petitions from the citizens of
st. Anthony, st. Paul and Little Canada, pray
ing modification of the present School Law ;
beg leave to report:
| That while they have been unable to give
the matters set forth in the petitions that at
tention and investigation which their import
ance as affecting the rights and interests of so
| large and respectable number of the citizens
of this Territory, would demand, it is evident
to them that the petitioners have just grounds
of complaint, and that the present school law
is defective in this,-that while revenue is de-
rived from every taxpayer of this Territory, to
| support and maintain common schools. more
than one-third of the entire population of this
Territory have never derived any benefit from
the large amounts paid for that purpose.
Your Committee believing that duty demands
a Cancellation of law with individual liberty
and freedom OF conscience and where any law
does not, by reason of its imperfections, meet
the wants and situation, and thesthOusand cir
cumstances which diversity human character
and pursuits, or where it fails to benefit COM
munities or denominations, by reason of a con-
scientious belief in opposition thereto, in COM
mon with their fellow-citizens, their case, of
right, ought to be provided for by such legisla-
ton as is consistent with the welfare of every
other citizen. and of the whole
| Your Committee, therefore, ask leave to in
troduce the accompanying bill, and recommend
its passage.
u w. NJ 4: o SEWER Committee.
The report was accompanied by No 1s, (H.
of R.) A Bill amendatory of the School Law
Which was read first and second time, and
| laid on the table to be printed''
The following is the bill as originally intro
duced by the Committee -
l".No. 49, III. of R)-Latroduced 6v Mr..
Murray, from Select Committee to ,vhich
toas referred sts'ldry petitions on the subject.
Fe6. 10, 1858. Read first and second times,
and laid on the table to be printed, Feb Is,
1858 A Bill AMENDATORY OF TUE SCHOOL
Law:
Be it enacted by the Legislature assembly of
the Territory Of Minnesota SEC. |. That all
communities of any denomination. willing to
have school OF their own, in which religious
instruction will be taught as we'll as other
branches OF education, be authorized to do so,
and their schools shall be entitled to all the
benefits accruing to district schools.
| Sec. 2 All schools we'll organized, and COM
posed of at least twenty-five children, shall re-
| ceive part of the school money, according to
the number of children regularly attending the
said school.
Sec 3. 1t shall be the duty of the Trustees of
| any School District to issue warrants upon the
Treasurer for the proportionate share of money
| coming to any school as aforesaid, on applica-
ton of the teacher or trustees of said school,
Provided, that said teacher or trustees shall
prove by the affidavit Of at least one person, the
| number OF scholars in regular attendance,
which number shall be at least twenty-five.
Sec 4. Such schools only as are composed of
| at least twenty-five children, and are kept in
operation at least four hours every day, during
| FIVE days of every week. shall be considered
| we'll organized schools, and entitled to share
of the school fund.
Sec. 5. All acts and parts of acts, contraven-
ing the provisions of this act, are hereby re-
pealed.
Sec. 6. This act to be in force from and after
its passage"
| The next proceedings touching this bill we
find on page lao of the printed journal. They
run thus:
! The House resolved itself into Committee
OF the Whole, Mr.. Ramsey in the Chair having
under consideration
No. ls, Oh: ofR.) "A bill amendatory of the
School Law.
After some time passed therein, the commit
tee rose and by the Chairman, reported the bill
BACK TO the House, with an amendment.
| ~ fuSouOu 1ucH recurring on the aQOOttOu
by the House OF the amendment proposed by
the Committee of the Whole
| PENDING the question, Mr.. Murray moved
call of the House, which was ordered.
And the roll being called, Messrs Moot. Rus
sell. Roiette and Truax were reported absent.
The Sergeant-at-Arms was directed to report
the absent members in their seats.
On motion of Mr.. Ames,
Further proceedings under the call of the
House were dispensed with"
There an irrelevant message from the Coun-
Gil interviewed. which we omit
No. 1s, (H. of R.) a bill amendatory of
the School Law"
And the pending motion to concur in the am
enament proposed by the Committee of the
! whole, was laid on the table and made the sne
ciai order OF the day for Monday next"
We will next see what was done with the bill
on Monday next The House did not meet till
two o'clock p NJ and the snec;oI ordo