The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-02-22
" Reported for Pioneer
SIXTH SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE
p OF MINNESOTA. -
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

After the usual prciminares of the morn
Mr.. Thompson presented a petition for the
erection Of the county of Jefferson, out of part
Of Fillmore county.
MIR. Wiilim offered series of resolutions in
regard to bribery, providing for the appoint.
ment Of a committee OF three, to be chosen by
the House, to investigate the charges of bri-
berry which had been made in the papers and
OH the floor of the Council against members
of the House. Said committee to investigate
all charges, whether in connection with the
disposal Of printing, election of Speaker, Or
the passage of any bills by the House also,
whether any executive officer of the Territory,
had attempted to influence votes by promises
of preference. Said committee to report from
time to time, and if necessary sit during the
recess of the Legislature. .--.Hl." 49,.
Mr.. Sibey objected to the resolutions, on
the ground that direct censure to the chair
was contained in them, and that the commit
tee We're authorized to sit during the recess of
h. Legislature.
MIR. Haus said he was one of the accused,
and objected to his being tried by jury APP
pointed by the Speaker, who was also charged
With bribery. He wished fair committee and
a thorough investigation.
select u partial committee had seen charges
them. lie moved to amend the resolutions, so
that the appointment OF the committee should
be by the Speaker. Ayes 5, nays r.
Mr.. Davis moved to exclude any man frem
voting on the resolutions, who had been charged
with bribery.
MIR. Rolette said, none of us could vote then
for we have all been charged with bribery.
Mr.. Davis motion was laid on the table
Mr.. Sibley said that part Of the resolution
which authorized the committee to set dnri ,g
the recess and report to the next session of the
Legislature, would have no binding force if
adopted He moved to strike out that part
Lost.
MIR. Davis moved the committee report this
session. Carried.
Mr.. Dixon moved that no person shO'd serve
Oh the committee who had been charged with
bribery.
After remarks from Messrs. Dixon and Da-
Wis, the motion was tabled.
Mr.. Siblcy raised point of ORDER that the
reference to members Of the last Legislature
and an inquiry into their conduct, exceeded
the powers Of this House.
MIR. Fridley spoke at length. Denied that
the power of the Legislature ceased with the
sixty days comprising session. Charges of
bribery had been made against every Legisla-
tlrc which ha, been in session in Minnesota,
and lie either wished the stigma wiped out by
thorough investigation, Or the guilty ones
exposed.
Mr. Sibley considered that the resolution
would have the effect of an evasion of the in
quiry. The investigation should be had i'm
mediatcly
Mr.. Fridley was in favor of the committee
reporting as far as they could to this Legisa-
ture, without neglecting their duties, but if
the investigation could not be completed, let
the committee act during the recess.
Further remarks were made by Mr.. Sibley
and others.
The resolutions were adopted, but, on mo-
ton Of
Mr.. Rolette, by vote of nine to eight, the
vote was rc-consldered, and the resolutions re-
errcd to the committee Oh Internal Improve
mentS.