The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-02-16
The Delegate and his Organ at Logger
heads.

The Delegate and his Organ at Logger.
heads.
A few days since we published tee
graphic dispatch from Washington, stating
that the Hon. HENRY NJ. RICE, Delegate
in Congress, had offered joint resolution
to the House of Representatives, disapprov-
ing and declaring null and void, the char
tiers of sundry railroad companies, which
had been passed by the Territorial Legisla-
ture of 1853. We published it as an item
of news, appearing in our exchanges, but
refrained from comment, because his organ
here, having assumed position directly or
posed to such action, We supposed it might
prove all error. The mail, however, brings
confirmation of the report. We clip from
the Washington Glols of the 3lst Janu-
airy:
s.Mr Rice offered J int resolution, disappearing
ard declaring null and void by Congress- the acts Of the
Leg stature Mnnesota, incorporating the Minnesota
and Western Railroad Company; the act Incorporating
the l.ou-iana aid MinnesOts Railroad Company; the
act ncOrI Grating the st Paul and 1T Anthony Railroad
Company; the act incorporating the Mississippi and
sup IOr Railroad Company, and the act incOrpor
atn9 the Lake superior, Pugels sound and south Pa
cifc Railroad Copanyj severally approved IN March,
1888"
The above is a refreshing commentary
upon the consistency of action maintained
by the Democrat, and the friends of our
Congressional Delegate, on the one hand,
and the Delegate himself on the other,
with regard to the doctrine of squatter SOW
ereignty. About the same day on which
Mr.. RICE introduced the joint resolution
quoted, that paper made ferocious attack
upon Mr.. SIBLEY, because in his majority
report from the Judiciary Committee of the
House, he assumed the ground that the ill.,
terposition of Congress could very properly
be invoked in case so extraordinary as
that of the passage of charter such as
was granted by the last legislature to the
Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad Com
pany, inasmuch cs the people, at the last
election, had repudiated the Act and the
Company; although the report ext licitly
stated, that in no other, than a case so un-
precedented, could the committee he induced
to ask the interference of Congress in our
local legislation. Mr.. SlBLEY was denoun-
ced for making any exception; and the
broad ground was taken by the Democrat,
that Congress should not, under any cir
cumstances, exercise the supervisory power
reserved in the Organic Act to set aside
Territorial legislation, except when that leg
isation was repugnant to such Organic
ACT, or the Constitution of the United
States.
Now that Mr.. RICE has gone so much
further than did the Judiciary Committee,
and has asked Congress to annul, not mere
lya railroad charter passed at the last ses-
son. but charters passed at previous ses-
sion OF the Legislative Assembly-thereby
attempting to ignore the usage and fixed
practice OF Congress, which are never to
Interfere with Territorial statutes after the
npse OF one session subsequent to the Off
c'ai receipt thereof, by that body-we are
little curious to see what arguments will
We advanced by the Democrat, its adjuntts
u Tue ress' and the majority in the pres
emf legislature. in sustaining our illustriouas
and consistent Delegate. Will they have
the hardihood to attempt it? Dare they
SO far stultify themselves as to abandon the
position so dogmatically laid down by
them? 81, Il "a 90 s,s7 f5fg
For ourself. We do now, and always, de.
ny that Congress can rightfully disappr r,,s
any act Of our local legislature which has
passed the ordeal Of one session and es.
capped annulment. ,e,a .,as,ss
The very language Of the Organic Act
requiring the Secretary Of the Territory te
transmit to, Congress a copy Of the Acts Of
the previous session of the Legislative As
sspbly before the ensuing day fixed for the
meeting Of the two Houses Of Congress
demoutrates s aeluisely that the intention
was to have them isubmitted for eonsidera
ton at that session; when, r. not disap,