The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-04-07

because he allowed that suit TO lie brought i
the name Of the United States without inform
ing the Government.
Mr.. COOPER. / think there must he som
mistake about that, for he did not allow Tia
snit TO lie brought; he brought it himself as
was his duty to do as / have shown it was b
his instructions.
Sir. this power to repeal. or 'disapprove Of
acts OF the Territorial Legislature, it is true
incorporated in the original territorial act. /
has been incorporated in many territorial acts
! bat when was it ever exercised? 1t is powe
that has not been used for many years to m
knowledge; and no case in which it was use,
within the last dozen. perhaps the last twent,
years. was brought to the notice of The commit
tee. And, Mr. President, there is another.thina
Congress has passed its time. There is no tim
fixed, 1t is true, when Congress must disap
prove OF an act but undoubtedly it ueht to b.
speedily. Common sense teaches that it vii
not do that territorial act shall he disapprov
ed after important rights have grown up ant
become vested under it, and thus be Invested
at subsequent period by the operation Of al
act of Congress disappearing it. Congress ha(
notice OF this measure early last year and acted
upon it. 1t had it before it's 1t is referred tic
in several reports of the session; and in one
case thew legislated in reference to one provis
ion OF this very bill. the provision contained in
the ninth section. Therefore, sir, it virtually
passed upon it and approved it; and shall il
now, after having done so, turn about and dis
approve it? This is fact..of great Importance
and, in this connection, ought to be remarked
by those who desire to vote understandings
upon it; Congress has had the subject before il
and virtually approved the bill, by legislating
upon it,
But, again, will you disapprove it without
Shn ,Inp~ ,hxy; oh ha a
proved? Are you to strike in the dark because
Congress committed some blunder in its legs-
lation, or some Improperly in regard to an act
which 1t pass It! Are you to turn round for
this rea,oi ail attack the territory in.its vital
inti r. sts. ~ disappearing its legislation, a
IA at Nh.cn nothing has been urged, against
"hich. say hing Can be urged? You must
Judge ioui the face OF the act, as the committee
'14t
But it is said the House passed this resou-
;ion. How did they pass il. It was introdu-
ced. the previous question was called when
there was dozen members on their feet to
oppose it, and it was passed without discussion,
and without knowledge therefore. on the part
oi great majority of the House. But that was
.iot tac case here. Tt went to committee
,ha committee gave labor and examination to
At a. I'd unanimously agreed that it would be
.l,op 10 disapprOve the act of the Territory
la ..s, whose Legislators, or the legislation
uercuf objection had been urged.
Nr. Petit. of Ia, then joined in. and spoke
at some length in defence Of the charter. Mr..
Douglas next came to the rescue and was op-
posed to interfering with the Legislation Of
Minnesota or any other Territory. He alluded
TO the case pending before the Supreme Court );
INDICATED the character of Mr.. Warren our
late District Attorney and in referring to the
charge Of inordinate haste in getting up the
pleadings and procuring a hearing before our
Territorial Courts, he remarked that "no law
yer would require over one day to make up
record of that kind" Mr.. Seward spoke in vim
dication of Mr.. Warren, from personal know
ledge, as @ schoalr, q man of integrity and a
good lawyer.
Finally, Mr.. Pearce got tired. of the fight,
and said he would not press the amendment
further. The Senate then went into executive
session, and after the doors were again opened,
Mr.. Badger on behalf of Mr.. Pearce who had
meantime left the Senate Chamber, asked and
obtained Unanimous leave to withdraw the
And thus ended the matter forever so far as
Congress is concerned.