The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-02-09

who reside in Mnnesota, unless you expressly say it
shall be taxed, and put clause to that effect in their
charter; Tor personal property follows the person Of
The owner, and can only be taxed in the county or
district in which the person resides. Then what re-
mains Tor tax belong ing 10 this COMPANY under
the exuaordnary privileges oftheir charter The
capitol stock represents the read, depots, buildings,
machine shops, and every thing which that capital
has been expended in making and constructing.
1.-THE capital stock is therefore to Le taxed only
as personal property, it is Of your reach unless
you secure its taxation by special enactment. =
The per centage secured by the bill before me is
Objectionable and is in the form should regard
Is safe for the Territory. 4g
The clause giving the right to alter, amend, or re-
peal after 20 years, is (by the last clause making
Minnesota pay all damages that the corporation NAV
sustain thereby worse than it no such mower was
given. The modern doctrine is now well understood
among public men, that corporation for the con.
eenration of large capital, should have perpe:ua
and unalterabie charters, aud in most of the New
England States this guard is reserved to the people,
As it rightly ought to be. The people have an inhe-
right to ritter, amend, modify even the most
sacred fundamental law pleasure, and there is no
sound reason why they should possess unlimited
power over every law their representatives may en-
act. But IN attempting to retain this right in this
charter, the have shown their lack of
confidence in the justice Of future Legislature and
the people, by holding the Territory bound in dam
ages if they should he inclined, after twenty years.
ask for its alteration, modification REPEAL.
But allow me, in conclusion, to ask whether the
representatives Of the people have any security tina,
the company will accept the amendments proposed!
Where is your guaranty? What do they forfeit, il
they do not accept these amendments? What pledge
have you, and from whom, that they will accept
them?
In the ordinary business transactions of life, men Of
capital do no, Consent without consideration, To
lave their bond increased.
In looking at these amendments impartiaIly, am
constrained, however, 10 say that they enlarge their
privileges, franchises, and rights, instead Of Con-
tracing and limiting them.
LIST. The per centaee to be paid the Territory a
the same in the old charter.
I'd. The taxation Of their lands is postponed until
the patent issues, thereby throw ing the the
purchasers and of from the company, while the on
charter did not mention the subject; and the ef',rr
lett all real estate liable to taxation fom the Begin
ming.
Sd. Some Of the obligations held against the com
pany the 10th sectun Of the charter are released
by its expIess repeal.
4,h. The old charter is re-enacted to cure all rre-
vinu- failures and detaIcatons OF the company.
eth. The time is extended for tie completion Of
the hret fifty miles of The road.
9th. The time is extended for the completion Of
the whole line of the road
7h. The time is extended for completing the tee
graph.
Slh The power TO alter, amend, or repeal, ~ clog
60u WIN PROVISION 10 DlhQ the eopit forever IL
this corporation; to take upon the Terrier,
public d. bt.
Tut 1t is not to I've disguised that the re.enactmen
OF the old charter is To their deE,lratons.-
II they sincerely intend to deal fairly by Minnesota
they cannot object To deposit sufficient guarantee in
money ~ good stocks, that they will accept pr"pe,
amendments, and build the fifty miles Of the road
forfeit the amount thus Deposited. The Ill. Cen. R.
H. 20. did II readily, and there is no fair reason why
the M Il N. w. K. K. Co. should not do the same.
cannot refrain from expressing my decided
vcti"n that these lands gone from fl ever,
ter out of the way, and appeal the Justice Of Com
siess not to b. III Minnesota responsible for the wrongs
vi others. l must also be allowed to express I
opinion, that the conmencem Mt Of the suit by the
United States against this company, in the manner
and under the circumstances, sucidica 10 our
best interests, As fear will be shown in the end
notwithstanding it may have been commenced through
proper and pure motives. l honestly fear, ] have
from the beginning, that it will prove disastrous to
our hopes and prosperity.
have honestly entleavOred to point out the best
course to secure 10 Minnesota these lands and rail-
road. And my views remain unchanged. have no
private interests to favour, unjust preudices TO
overcome. hut would cheeriuly change my course TO-
morrow if could thereby advance the prosperity and
welfare Of Minnesota.
One OF the great political parties of this govern
ment has always looked with jealousy upon the en-
crochments Of capital on the rights and privileges of
the people. And in new country we will have to
keep an eternal vigilance, this powerful adversary
to The peoples rights will lay hold Of and bind the
infant arms Of this young Territory, until it will move
the body at will. The money king of country
has already more than just share Of influence among
all the affairs Of men, and reaching his ponderous
arms, enci'cIes every obstacle in his path, and like
the great waters of the Mississippi, bears off upon its
tide every impeachment its progress, sinks to
the bottom.
My duty is now done. Yours ia left to your con-
sciences, your judgments, and your constituents.
w. A. GORMAN.