The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-02-28

FRIDAY, FEBRrARy 20. {

j
Mr.. Stone presented the petition Of Silas
Z. Robbins, and a number of others, citizens
OF Ramsey county, for fhc relief Of said Rob
bins Referred to committee on Legislative
Expenditures. ',''a ~ . Z, -
A resolution was introduced By, Mr. Bas-
set, requiring the committee on incorpora-
lions to report back certain bills forth
with. LAID over undtr the rules, ~
Mr.. Lowry, from the committee to whom
was referred the petition of citizens of Wi
mona county, praying for changing the name
OF the village of Stockton, reported a bill for
that purpose. = % ''-l-' % y -
Also, reported back bill authorizing the
citizens OF Wright county to locate their
county seat bya vote of the people no
The committee on Territorial roads repor-
ted back bill for the incorporation of the
Minnesota, Pacific and Nebraska Mail Trans
portation Company, with the recommended
ton that it pass. .ta
Mr.. Setter, from committee on the Judi
ciary, reported back bill to prevent the cir
culation of certain ank issues, with the rec
ommendation that it pass.
The same gentleman reported bill sup
Elementary to the act to prevent the issue
and circulation Of unauthorized bills as cur
rency.
Council adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs-Me and
was called to order by the Speaker.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
The reading of the Journal was dispensed
with.
The Speaker requested the members to
hand the Clerk the amount of mileage to
which they are entitled, the distance travel
ed, and the name of their place of residence.
PETITIONS, ETC.
MIR. Stannard presented two petitions from
citizens of Chisago county praying against
any action in regard to the removal of the
county seat. .--
Mr.. Chamblin, a petition praying for the
passage of bill in relation to the county
seat of Chisago county. All the petitions
were referred to select committee.
Mr.. Adams offered resolution authori-
zing an investigation of general charges made
against members of the House, by both
members upon the floor and newspapers
published in the city of St. Paul, and the
of a committee of three to in
vestigate the charges made and have them
made in specific form.
Mr.. Murray offered substitute, which
provides for the appointment of committee
of three with power to send for pei sons and
papers to investigate the charges of bribery
and corruption as made in reference to the
passage of the bill to remove the seat of
government.
Mr.. Adams spoke in favor of his resolu-
ton and stated that the members who favor
fbo hoI ia Loo,
the columns of the newspapers published in
st. Paul, and he therefore wished to have the
charges against him and his friends made in
specific form as he did not wish to have the
stigma cast upon him individually without
having an opportunity to defend himself, and
any assertion which was made by HIM he
was prepared to stand by, and held himself
individually responsible, and wished others
to assume like position.
Mr.. Murray answered in favor of his sub
stitute, and stated that DR.. Adams was mis-
taken in regard to the refusal of editors to
publish any communication from the opposi-
ton as he believed that the columns of pa
pers in this city had always been open for
the advocacy of both sides of the question /;
and in regard to the charges made-if not
substantiated, he was willing to have him
self stigmatized with proper severity, and
retract and exhonerote every member who
was thus implicated
Mr.. Wilson defended his course in regard
to the removal, and had no fears as to the
result of the inve stigation, so far as he was
personally concerned, in this general charge
of bribery and corruption, and denied with
considerable spirit and force the right of a
writer in the Pioneer and Democrat to ap-
ply the term CT pumpkin cider Democrat "
to him-for his antecedents as Democratic
politician were sufficient to attach the seal oil
and outrageous to his dignity as gentleman
and politician.
Mr. Whitlock made lengthy and able
speech, denying the charges, so far as he was
concerned, wholly and without hesitation.
After uttering his denial to the charges OF
corruption, Mr.. w. took up the thread d
of Mr.. Wilson's discourse on the " pumpkin
cider " question, and argued it at length
and in very happy manner. He did not
bestow upon such terms or cognomens O
moments thought, for the record of each
individual to whom the term was applied, by
long and undertaking adherence to the cause
of democracy, had proved no just recipient
of such title. He appealed to any gentle
man on the floor, if there was anything in
the history of the venerable Wilkie, the un.
terrified McVay, the noble Troll, the imma-
culate Wilson, or that calm and really anna
bic gentleman, Judge Payne, to justify such
unwarrantable adjectives-each of whom
stood before him honored, dignifed, and sur
rounded by halo OF glory, for the untirine
zeal with which they had promulgated and
defended the doctrine.
Speeches were also made by Messrs. King
McVay, Costello, and Noble all expressing
wish and even anxiety for the appointment
of committee of investigation into the
charges. We regret that our columns arc
too much crowded to admit the remarks o.
all the gentlemen at length.
Mr.. Gere moved to substitute the follow
ing in lieu of both resolutions
Resolued That committee of three be ap
pointed to investigate the charges made, con.
sisting of Messrs Black, Ramsey and Stan
nard, with power to send for persons ant
papers, and administer oaths, &C., in relation
to the removal bill. -s
Mr.. King moved to amend by adding: Tha
every member Of the House, and reporte
for newspapers, lie allowed to be present a
every sitting of the committee. Adopted.
Mr.. King said that he was anxious to Sc,
the adoption Of the amendment; that h,
had heard it remarked that the reporter
would not give fair report of the investiga
tion-if SO, let them dare do it-but he wa
willing to trust them. 1919
| I'VE will assure the gentleman that tn