The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-01-20

for the wants of our people to be made
known to that body through this, and much
less time for it to act. And no stronger reason
exists for your meeting in January than in De-
cember, on account of the business of the peo-
pie or the weather. It is therefore thought to
be a very desirable change.
must again renew my recommendation of
last session, for more equitable appOrti0n-
ment to the Counties on the west side of the
Mississippi river. The rapid increase of their
population, since the last apportionment of Re-
representatives., fully justifes me in urging you
to give this subject your early attention. The
justice and propriety of the measure is made
manifest by the vote polled at the late cleo
tions.
The cause Of Education has not been over
looked or neglected by our fellOw-citzens.
The Hamline University, chartered at the last
session of the Legislature, has been located at
Red Wing with sufficient endowment it is un-
derstood to place its success beyond a reasona-
BILE doubt. The Central University has been
located at Minneapolis, point of much pro-
mise. and the institution placed in such train
as will insure its entire success. The Terrific
rial University lands have been partly selected
and such favorable locations made as give the
highest promise of its future usefulness and en-
tire success And it is confidently believed
that at no distant day this institution will COM
mend itself particularly to the patronage Of the
citizens OF the Southern States because of the
unexampled health that is enjoyed in Minneso-
ia at all seasons of the year, and because of it's
location within plain view of the Falls of St.
Anthony, and it's picturesque scenery The
endowments will be ample to fill the different
professorships with gentlemen of the highest
literary and scientific attainments. and make
1t In all respects equal to the first-class Uni
versities in the United States. The Superin-
tendent of Common Schools has been engaged
with commendable spirit and zeal in giving
every impetus to the cause of education gene
rally and particularly to that which comes
more Immediately within the purview of his
official duty. respectfully refer you to his Of
fetal report which will be laid before you at an
early day.
A female institution of learning has been
opened at Saltwater, on the St. CroiX, under
the most promising auspices, and cannot fail to
add to the already high reputation ofthat -four
ishng town for intelligence and morality.
The Baldwin College for the education of
females, is in full tide of prosperity in ST. Paul
and has sufficient endowment to place it's USE
fulness and success beyond doubt.
The Catholic institution at St. Paul, for the
education of young men, is also in flourish
ing condition, with permanent endowments and
a large catalogue of scholars in daily attend
ance.
1t affords me much satisfaction to say that
the cause Impractical agriculture in our Terri
tory has been greatly promoted by the forma-
ton of agricultural societies, and especially is
the county of Hennepin entitled to the highest
praise, for getting up most excellent and in
teresting fair at Minneapolis, during the past
fall, which was numerously attended, and gave
the fullest assurance of the capacity of our soil
to produce almost every cereal and esculent in
the greatest abundance. 1 therefore commend
this great interest to your attention.
By the Auditors Report it will be seen that
the taxable property of the Territory has large
ly increased within the last year. In 1854 it
amounted to S4,57S,O33 90; being $2,l32,-
and the estimated value for 1855 is 1000 600.
The financial condition of the Territory will be
seen by the Report of the Treasurer, to which
you are respectfully referred.
1t will be proper for your attention to be di-
rected to our laws for the collection of debts
No creditor should be allowed in this age of
civilization and humanity, to imprison the body
ofhis debtor in any possible contingency ex-
cept for fraud, whereof he may be found guilty
by the judgment of his peers. No contingency
can in my judgment arise, to justify this badge
OF a barbarous age remaining on our statute
books, except for the cause stated.
The wire suspension bridge across the Mis-
sissippi river above the Falls of ST. Anthony. is
q work worthy of the highest commentator,
and reflects great credit upon the enterprising
people of st. Anthony and Minneapolis. 1t is
now about completed, and gives Minnesota the
honor of being the first to span the Great Fa-
Their of Waters. The enterprising projectors of
this great work are justly entitled to the hearty
thanks of the people of Minnesota.
Since your last session, the President of the
United States issued his proclamation for the
sale of the lands in the Minneapolis district
but owing to certain grants of land by Con-
gress for railroad purposes, the sales were sus-
pended, but opened again for the benefit of pre-
emptors In this connection, renew my re-
commentator that the Congress of the United
States be earnestly requested to protect the
settlers on the Fort Smelling reservation. At
ter the act passed reducing the reserve our cit
liens entered upon it and made valuable I'M
prOvements. and | know do not Over-estimate
their value when I say. they have expended
over two hundred thousand dollars, in good,
substantial, and even elegant buildings, and in
opening farms and other improvements. This
they have done with the firm hope that they
would not be compelled to meet at the sale the
man of superior means or the Spectator. Nor
is this all for one of the most fourishing towns
in this Territory has sprung up on this reserve
that Minnesota can boast of within her borders.
1t should be borne in mind, that the supposed
increased value of these lands has been pro-
duced by the actual expenditure of the peoples
money and labor, and not by any act of the
National Government and the only reason for
supposing these lands to be more valuable than
others, grows out of the above stated fact. 1t
ia not in accordance with my views of the just
policy of our Government that she should hold
on to her domain until the people, (who are a
constituent part of the Government shall, by
their money and labor, so improve the adjacent
lands, by opening roads, building villages,
erecting churches, school-houses, and improv-
ing the water power, as to enormously increase
their relative value, and then, let the doors be
thrown open for capital to compete with the
pioneer settler. The Government should, in
my Judgment act upon the principle that the
public lands are to be so managed as to secure
their speedy settlement by those who will inn
prove them, and l have no hesitation in saying
that the man who owns tract of land without
occupying or improving 1t, but holds it until
other mems capital and labor adds great value
to it, is '' drone in the hive that sucks the ho-
ney which is made for him by the industry of
Others"
Although We have no voice or vote in the
great questions which agitate the public mind
OF the nation, yet we cannot but feel deep So
llcitude in the welfare of our common country.
Within the past year new measures have been
agltated, and strange combinations formed for
political purposes. that in greater or less de-
gree influence and give direction to nations
destiny. AT no very distant day, the people
OF Minnesota will assume their position in the
ssterhood OF States, which requires us to keep
q Watphful vigilance upon passing events.
Heretofore, our Government has been supposed
I'm I'M or fhn rA1 Ill