The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-01-27
SAINT PAUL. MINNESOTA TERRITORY SATURDAY JANUARY o. 1855
Held at the Court House, Saturday Evening,
Jan. 20.

| THE ST. PAUL RAILROAD MEETING,
Held at the Court House, Saturday Evening,
Jan. 90.
Wegave synopsis Of the proceedings of this
popular demonstration yesterday, emitting the
resolutions passed on the occasion (Which we
| publish below as we'll as the remarks of gen.
tlemen who addressed the meeting. Public
sentiment is now so entirely unanimous here in
regard to this matter, that We deem il unneces-
sary to occupy more space in connection with
the subject than is herewith allowed. The
Committee on Resolutions was composed of Dr..
Thos. Foster, r. G. Knox, A. T. Chamblin, J. P.
Owens, Fl. L. Trader, and R. Marvin:
Resolued, That the interests of the Territory
at large demand the construction of a railroad.
from the head of Lekc Superior, through the
Territory of Minnesota. to the northern bound
ary of Iowa. at the earliest practicable period.
That there is rt as)n to believe, that great ef-
forts are being made to construct road by the
way of Madison and the Falls of the ST. Croix
in the State of Wisconsin, to the head of said
lake, without delay and consequently to de-
feat the Minnesota and North Western Railroad
Company, with view to divide the trade, ira
vel. immigration and capital. which nature in
tended for Minnesota, for the benefit of the
town of st. Croix Falls and other towns in Wis
consin and Illinois.
Resolued, That, from the acts of said Compa-
ny, in their accepting the charter in subscrb-
ing one million dollars of the capital stock in
paying in 100000 in cash in organizing a
board of directors in contesting the validity
of the act of Congress repeating the act grant
ing lands for purposes of the road ; and in max
fO rOff h;S
Territory whereby it appears that they have
expended over $4,000 preparatory to commenc-
ing the construction of said road !; added, ALSO
to the assurances of said Company all give us
reason to believe, and we do believe, that they
are ready and willing to 90 on early in the
spring. and vigorously and in good faith push
their railroad to speedy completion and that
nothing but the exhibition of determined hos
tility on the part of the Legislature and people
of the Territory. which we earnestly deprecate,
will deter said Company from carrying out on
their part, the contract they have accepted, to
build said road.
Resoiued, That in view of the delay and en-
barrassment occasoned to the Company, by the
repeal of the granting act, they are fairly en-
titled to reasonable extension of time for the
completion of the road, and also of the line
of telegraph contemplated by their charter !;
because,
1st. Inc ulueItdkiuS luVOlYeS Tue raising
and expenditure of many millions of dollars
at a period, too. when railroad enterprises are
suspended or abandoned, and the heaviest mer-
chants and financiers in our commercial capi-
tails are suspending and failing almost daily !;
and when men Of the stOutest nerves even,
think long and carefully. and cannot be induc-
ed to commence operations of so much magni-
tude, without first having perfected all the ar
rangements which prudence suggests.
"a. Because these arrangements must be
made before surveying parties are organized
and sent into the field all of which requires
time; and because, until the labors of the sur
veyor have considerably progressed, which will
require the best part of next summer, but q
small portion of the road can be constructed.
Resolued, That after witnessing the failure
of some twenty applications to Congress dur
ing the last session for similar grants backed by
the. united influence of the Representatives and
Senators whose constituents were Immediately
interested and after considering the Presi-
dents recent annual message, showing a de-
termination on the part of the executive and
his cabinet, that no more grants for rail road
purposes shall be made, it is folly to suppose
that Congress will make another grant of land
to the Territory, and folly to beguile ourselves
with believing otherwise than that it is the
settled policy of the Administration and of all
the old States, to oppose it.
Res0ired. That the charter granted to this
Company does not, in the opinion of this meet
ting, contain extraordinary privileges; and if
such were the case, we have too much regard
for our reputation as people, to attempt, as
one of the contracting parties, to repudiate the
charter that. as question of policy. it would
be unwise to fly from this bargain, as no capi-
talists would ever after be likely to have suf
ficent confidence in us, to risk money upon
another nor could we give sufficient guar
anty to another company that we would not at
sometime repudate any charter we might prof
fer to them.
Resolred, That we most solemnly depreciate
any attempt to induce Congress to disapprove
the charter in question, as both unjust to the
Company, and discreditable to the Territory
We believe that we have the right to legislate
for ourselves, and that Congress ought not to
exercise the power of disapproval in any in
stance, except where our legislative enactments
may be repugnant to the constitution and laws
Of the United States, or interfere with the gen.
eral policy of the Government.
Resolred. That the alleged alteration of the
granting act, should in no wise affect us, nor
are we called upon to vindicate the honor of
the National House of Representatives. If any
OF its officers committed an improper act, let
that body apply the proper correction, and
judge and punish for itself whenever its privil-
eges are invaded and in the meantime, let us
and our Executive and Legislative Assembly,
take care Of the public faith Of Minnesota and
our own honor, and be Herewith content.
Resolued. That this meeting. representing a
majority of the people of st. Paul and embody-
ing likewise, the nearly unanimous sentiments
of the business men of st. Paul, hereby desire
and instructive representatives of this city, in
the Legislature, to sustain, by their united ac-
ton, the policy in regard to the Railroad ques-
tion, herein before set forth in the proceedings
of this meeting; and that we will regard any
other action by them, as opposition to the best
interests of this community.