The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-08-15

BoUNDARY-EAsr AND WEST LINE.
Mr.: COGGSWELL presented the memo.
rial OF w. q. Dodge in favor of submitting
the question of boundary to the people, and
the proceedings and resolutions of a public
meeting, held at st. Peter, on the Sd inst.
by citizens in favor of an East and West d.
vision line for the State of Minnesota: which
were read by the Secretary. 80
On motion by Mr.. COGSWELL these ma
pers were made the the special order for the
hour this afternoon, appointed for the fur
Their consideration of the Boundary ques-
ton.
CERTIFICATES OF MILEAGE
Mr.. Mantor's resolution in relation to del.
egates certificates of mileage, coming up
On motion by Mr.. COLBURN, it was
laid on the table. .
THE MILITIA. o.
On motion by Mr.. CLEGHORN, the
Convention resolved into Committee of the
Whole-Mr. Cleghorn in the Chair-and
took up the consideration of the report mo.
2O) from the Committee of the Militia, en-
braclng an article on that subject
Mr.. NORTH proposed to amend, by stri-
king out the word "white," in the second line
of the first section.
After brief debate-the amendment was
rejected-afirmative 16, negative IL.
Mr.. GALBRAITH submitted substitute
for the whole report, as follows: .-,t
"SEC. =. The citizens of this State shall
be armed, organized and disciplined for it's
defence, when, and in such manner, as may be
directed by law. Those who conscientiously
scruple to bear arms, shall not be compelled
to do so, but shall pay an equivalent for per-
sOnal SERVICE"
After debate-in which members general
ly expressed themselves against specific sys-
tematizing in the Constitution, preferring to
leave details of systems to the suggestions of
circumstances, of progress, experience, and
the instincts of the people.
MIR. BARTHOLOMEW said he had signed
this report for the same reason that DIR.
Franklin signed the Constitution of the Uni
ted Statesmen because he approved it, but
because, altogether, he considered it the best
he could get. He still preferred the article
as originally reported, and proceeded to de-
tend its provisions in detail-decidedly pre-
ferring, that the Legislature should be com.
PEELED to establish Militia system, rather
than leave so important subject to a from
tier State, altogether to dilatory and tempo
rizing Legislature.
Mr.. GALBRATTH showed that the power
here conferred on the Legislature was quite
as broad as the Military power conferred up
on tho Congress of tie United States and
there had been no lack of the disposition to
use it there. The Legislature would certain
ly provide for the organization and discipline
of the Militia.
The substitute was adopted.
Mr.. COLBURN proposed the following
additional Section
"Sec. - All officers of the Militia-staff
officers excepted-shall be elected by persons
subjected to military duty in their respective
commands, in such manner as shall be pro-
vided by law $"
Which was adopted.
The Committee then rose and reported
the substitute as amended-the question be-
ing on its adoption
Mr.. MORGAN demanded division of
the question and so, the report and amend
ment were adopted.
Mr.. STANNAIsD offered substitute for
the report, as amended, as follows:
"Sec. - The Legislature shall provide by
laws for the organization, equipment and dis
cipline of the militia, and such number of vol
unteer troops as they shall deem necessary
for the protection of the State and the pres
erva ion of order.'
Which was adopted.
Mr. CLEGHORN offered the following
additional
Sec No person having conscientious
scruples against bearing arms, shall be com
PEELED to do military duty in time of peace,
but may be required to pay an equivalent
for such service )"
Which was adopted.
The report, as thus amended, was then
ordered to be engrossed for the third read
ing.
TAXATION, FINANCE AND PUBLIC DEBT.
On motion by Mr.. KING, the Convention
again resolved into Committee of the Whole
Mr.. Hudson in the Chair-and took up con.
consideration of the report (No. 26,) from the
Committee on Taxation, Finance and Public
debt, embracing an article on that subject
Mr.. KING proposed to amend. by striking
out section 4-'Ihe credit of the State shall
l OF be granted to any person, association or
corporation"
Mr.. LOWE. Although this power had
been greatly abused, yet the wise exercise of
it might be source of the highest benefit.
The section was stricken out
Mr.. McKUNE moved to strike out sec
ton 6. THE State shall not contract debts
for, nor be party in, works of internal i'm
provements," &c.
The Committee refused to strike out Sec
tions and 9-as matter superseded by 9TH
er provisions of the Constitution.
And, accordingly, the sections were strick-
en- out.
Mr.. WILSON proposed the following ad-
ditional section:
"Sec. - The Legislature shall provide by
law for taxing the notes and bills discontinue
ed or purchased, money loaned, and all other
property, effects, or dues ofevery description,
of all banks now existing or hereafter to be
created, and of all bankers; so that all pro-
perty employed in banking shall bear
burden equal to that imposed on the
property of individuals"
Mr.. MORGAN. This rule had not work
ed we'll in Ohio. 1t might operate as dou-
bic tax, in some cases.
Mr.. BALCOMBE thought the provision
for uniformity and equality of taxation was
entirely sufficient in the first section.
Mr.. WILSON. Notwithstanding the ex-
istence of such provision as the first section
of this article in almost every State COnsti-
tuition, yet the ruling under it has had been
onficting-some taxing, and some not tax
ing banks. Therefore he desired to provide
for case specifically, by section that could
not be misunderstood. He had but little &C
quaintance with banking; but this provision
he knew was just, and without it, he thought
the principle of equality of taxation might
not be carried out.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. ALDRICH submitted the following: |
Strike out all after the word excepting" in |
the 4th line of the first section, and insert:
" the property of the State and Counties,
both real and personal, and such other prop |
erty as the Legislature may deem necessary |
for school, religious, charitable, literary and |
scientific purposes"
Which was adopted.
The Committee then rose and reported the |
amendments. 49,.
Mr.. Aldrich's amendment was now reject |
I'd.
Mr.. FOSTER proposed to strike out of
The first section, these words: "for municipal |
educational, literary, scientific, religious, ele-
nosynary, or charitable purposes, so as to
cad, excepting such only as may be espe-
tally exempted by law" ..s
Which was adopted.
Mr.. FOSTER proposed further to amend,
~ striking out Sec. 6; because superseded
~ other matters.
The section was stricken out.