The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-05-02
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Executive OFFICE, }

Representatives.:
In pursuance of the proclamation of my
predecessor, you have assembled to take into
consideration matters of importance 30 vital
to the Territory of Minnesota, as to require
immediate legislation. The emergency upon
which you are convened being an extraordi-
nary one, it is presumed your proceedings
will be chiefly confined to the subjects des-
pnated by the Executive as requiring your
action. 1t is proper therefore that the accus-
toned recommendations from this depart
ment be limited to the same topics, unless
others of urgent necessity and later occur
renee be thought to demand your attention.
The present condition of the laws regula-
ting the Territorial Courts seems to require
partial revision. Under the organic act, the
Legislature has from time to time provided
for holding terms of the District Courts in
each of the organized counties. At the first
session of the last Congress, however, an act
was passed depriving the District Judges of
the several Territories of the power to hold
Court at more than one place in each judicial
District. In the opinion of the Supreme
Judges, the laws heretofore enacted respect
ing the organization and jurisdiction of the
District Courts. and the administration of
state of things created by the act of Con-
gress, without further legislation. The judy
es therefore declined holding regular terms
of the District Court, until the requisite pro-
vision should be made by the Legislature
The ensuing session, being the last held by
your body, terminated before maturing the
necessary relief Since your adjournment,
however, it has been ascertained that Con-
gress, near the close of it's last session, again
authorized the Judges of the Supreme Court
in the Territory of Minnesota, "to hold court
within their respective districts in the coun-
ties wherein by the laws of said Territory,
courts have been or nay be established, pro-
vided the expenses thereof shall be paid by
such counties respectively" This YVES doubt
less intended to remove the present difficult
ty; but it does not entirely restore the courts
to the condition existing prior to the inter-
position Ct Congress. It is beliered to be in
your power fully to complete the remedy
Immediate provision should be made for de-
fraying the expenses of the c,urts to be held
in the several counties, as Indicated BY the
act of Congress. Such further measures as
may be found necessary, to provide the most
expeditions and general administration of
justice throughout the Territory. l submit to
the wisdom of the Legislature to determine.
Herewith transmitted is copy of the act
of Congress, passed at their last session,
'To authorize the people Of the Territory Of
MINNESOTA to form q Constitution and State
Government, preparat tory to their admission
into the Union on an equal footing with the
original States"
The provisions of this act are explicit, re-
quiring no explanation. They are liberal
and beneAcent to the future State of Minne-
sofa. tits your province to de ermne what
legislation is required, at your present sess-
ion, to carry the law into effect. 1t will de-
volve upon you to provide for the compensa-
ton of the members of the Constitutional
Convention, and for defraying the expenses
of that body. The whole subject is submit
ted to your disposal, in the confidence that
! your action will be as prompt and judicious
/ as the interests of the Territory may de-
mand; and that it will be in full harmony
with the spirit end intent of the enabling
act Of Congress.
That Minnesota has arrived at period in
her history, when but one step on her own
part will bring her upon an equal footing
with the original States of the Union, must
| be subject of just pride to her citizens, and
/ awaken the admiration of the friends of po-
/ litcal and social progress elsewhere. In her
! transition from a Territorial to State gov
eminent, we shall behold a striking illus
tration of the conservative power of Demo
! cratic institutions, and still another instance
of the capability of the people to create and
establish their own form of government
Happily for tho people Of Minnesota, the
right of organizing their own institutions ir
their own way, may be exercised without
! fear of molestation or interference from any
quarter. They may, in peace and tranquil
ty, add another star to the American con
stellation, and soon assume their rightful DO
stion as an equal member of the confedera.
cy, whose existence, let us hope, will be per-
petual.
/ An act of Congress was passed at the last
session, "making grant of land to the Ter
ritory of Minnesota, in alternate sections, td
aid in the construction of railroads in said
Territory &c." copy of which is herewith
transmitted.
The acceptance and disposal of this libe
raj donation will inaugurate new era ir
the progress of our people. 1t is boon O
almost uncomfortable value to their future in.
tercsts and welfare. But vast as may be its
benefits, they will not be wholly confined tc
our own boundaries. BY the completion o
her railroads, not only will the population
and wealth of Minnesota be greatly accele
rated and augmented, but the best means Of
transportation and intercourse will be afford
ed, cOnnec ting the older states and the fer
tile and inviting territory lying westward te
the Pacific. In thus facilitating genera
commerce between the Eastern States, and
t. c now unpeopled West, Minnesota will be
performing gigantic part in developing the
power and greatness of the whole country
thereby eyincing most properly her CRATE
full appreciation of the mnpifcence of Con
gress, and at the same time best securing t.
! her own enjoyment its advantages.
The obligations and duties flowing from
the conditions of this grant, call for the
exercise of the wisest judgment on your
part. Such measures should be adopted by
the Legislature in relation to this great trust
as will most speedily secure the successful
prosecution of the various enterprises in con-
temptation. In dlsposng of the lands, it is
of paramount moment that the public inter
est be constantly kept in view. The direc-
tions of the act of Congress being specific,
their strict observance will be requisite, in
OiOCi W oSHuhC HUM VIC SOiiCAoi NONCIu-
ment the title to the lands appropriated.
would respectfully suggest for your con-
sideration, the propriety of requiring such
railroad companies as may receive portions
of the grant, to pay annually, or semi-annu-
ally, into the Territorial or future State
Treasury, such per centum upon the gross
or net earnings of their respective roads, or
such other allowance, as you may deem just
and reasonable.
For a few weeks past, the public mind in
certain parts of the Territory, has been great
" excited and even alarmed, by rumors of
Indian depredations on our south western
borders. These rumors had their origin, so
far as can be learned, in the shocking outra-
ges recently committed upon the unfortunate
settlers about Spirit Lake, in the State of
Iowa. 1t appears that early in March last,
party of Indians, said to belong to band
known as the W'ak-pe-kutis, made sudden
and unprovoked attack upon an isolated and
unoffending colony of settlers, living in what
they believed to be perfect security, and COM
mitted an indiscriminate slaughter of all the
men, women and children of the settlement
numbering between forty and fifty souls.
AS soon as they had inflicted this terrible
outrage, the savages fed, it is supposed, to
81,