Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1857-01-17

II
iRailroadsO or ether internal improv END hts. rs :
IL itbe true,therefore, that the Government OF
Congress think we are able to, and should take
care of ourselves, and, for that reason, withhold
the ordinary funds for supporting our judicial
system, and perhaps hersafterour legislative aap-
preparation, our future prospects would be greatly
promoted by an early State organization.
While Territory we have no credit as q gov.
eminent, If such credit should be desirable to de-
| velop our resources as q State, we may COIN
mand such means as may be deemed indispensa.
bio to our welfare, especially as our population
and wealth are ample to justify entire confidence
abroad. rs,
tits to be hoped that during the term of the in
coming National Administration, Congress will
provide means for Railroad to the Pacific and
in that event it is of the highest Importance to
the North West, and particularly to Minnesota,
that she should be State, and be fully represent
ed and heard in both branches of Congress. If
this great PROJECT should be acted upon during the
present session, Minnesota could not be heard in one
branch of Congress, and would be without vote
in the other There is no great interest in which
Minnesota has SO heavy stake to be won or lost
as in the Pacific Railroad. 1t may be Constructed
SO as to make US one of the wealthiest States in
the Union, and it may be so directed as to make
US a mere feeder. If our interest is properly
guarded in Congress, our best market for our
vast numbering interest will be in supplying the
rich prairie farmers in the West with all their
building, fencing material and fuel. -t
Pacific Railroad will be road to India. IL
will bring us in contact with SIX hundred millions
OF people, with portion OF whom we will ulti-
mately open u trade, receiving their commodities,
and supplying them with beef pork, corn grain
and breadstuifs of every kind. Then, the mil
lions of wealth that has for ages doubled Cape
Horn, will pass through the centre of the CONT
nent by land from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
and this will be not only the American. but also
the European channel Of trade between the two
oceans. 1t requires no great effort of the i'm
agination to discover how readily European
commerce and travel would take this route, by
which they can reach the Pacific in three thou
sand miles from Boston or New York, while they
now have to sail near thirty thousand to reach the
same points. ,r sninfHi qtl h3bastg5 NJ
In looking over the ground which promises
the most hopeful results to this region of the
continent, the conviction is forced upon nv mind
thata united and vigorous effort should be made
for Northern route through our future State as
the surest road to greatness and power. And if
we only prove true to ourselves in the effort to be
successful, this national highway, stretching
from ocean to ocean, will pass over our rich soil
and I'LL it with millions of wealth and all the in
cidental elements Of prosperity and happiness
Therefore, before this prize is lost to us by the
energy and influence of rival routes, let us put
forth all the political energy we possess to get
into a position where we may have ssblows to
give as well as to take" 10 our present position
We are helpless in all political struggles; we are
now at the mercy of public men for good or evil.
It's therefore my opinion, that the speediest
action for State government consistent with
other interests, should be taken. To this end
would suggest that at an early day in the session
you pass joint resolution, recommending Con-
vention to form Constitution. An act should
also be passed, providing for census to be taken
in March or April, the returns to be made to the
Governor by the first of ay, and direct him to
issue his proclamation for an election of Dele.
gates to be apportioned according to the ratio of
population you may prescribe--certifcates of
election to be given as ut present to members of
| the Legislature. The Convention NAV be al
| thorized to assemble in July. Then provide for
submitting the Constitution to the people for rat.
lhcation at the annual October election and if il
shall then be ratified by them, that it be present
| ed to Congress in the December following.
1t is highly important to the permanent interests
OF our future State that you take this initiative
step, instead of waiting for Congress to do so for
you, as, in the state Of political feeling in the
present Congress, certain embarrassments NAV
be thrown around our action which might tram
mel our own views in a very material manner.
But should Congress take any action in the
matter during their present session, by giving
their assent to the formation of State govern
| ment, the steps suggested for you to take will
still remain the same, and the necessity for your
action will not be changed in the least. oa,l
| The course here indicated for you to pursue is
not without precedent or high authority. .ilao-
But if is should be your pleasure to adopt any
| other mode Of accomplishing the same end, it
will meet my cordial appreciation. f.
| ri There are fifteen members of the Council and
thirty nine members of the House of Represent
atives, making in all, 6fty-four, which number
should probably be increased to ninety or one
hundred, in the Constitutional Convention. Il
will also be necessary to provide for their COM
pensation. 81 81 bas ~ 2. 3.'t
1t is perhaps, desirable that I. should briefly
recapitulate the history of some of the new
States admitted into tho Union, the time and
with what pOpulation-to serve as guide in
| your deliberations on this State question. And
first of the Northwestern States,
Indiana, by authority, took the initatory steps
for State the 10Th Of April 1885, held the Con.
vention in June, and was admitted in December
of the same year, with a, population , of from
| eighty to one hundred thousand.
Illinois was formed into territory February
Sd, 1909, and admitted into the Union December
Bird, 1878, with a population of less than fifty
Thousand. aq,eo'- nl19 fnieI 8
Michigan was admitted into the Union on the
26th of January, 1887, with population of abou,
seyepty-6ye or eighty thousand.
| The territory now comprised within the State
of Iowa, was part of the Missouri Territory,
from 1904 to 1872, and after that was placed sue.
cessively under the jurisdiction of Michigan and
Wisconsin Territories. On the 18th of June, 1888
it was erected into Territorial Government
called Iowa, in which was included all that por.
tion of Minnesota lying west of the Mississippi
river. In 1874, it asked admission into the Union
as State, with population Of eighty-one thou
| nj auu
passed a law, approved March 3rd, I845, for that
purpose, which, however, altered it's boundaries,
and was, in consequence, not accepted By the
Act of 4th of August, 1876, terms were agreed
: non. and it was admitted into the Union on the
OBJ. N"r. of the same year, with popula.
ton s, Of something eve. me hundred thousand.
Wisconsin was erected into territory on the
4th of July, 1886, and admitted into the O.."ou
May 10Th, 1913, (after the FIRST Constitution had
been rejected by the people) with population OF
over two hundred and ten thousand.
Missouri first proposed State Government in
1917, but, owing to the vexed question of slavery
! creating so much discussion between the North.
ern and Southern States, was not admitted into
the onion until 1921, when it contained popula-
tion of sixty six thousand five hundred and eighty
| six. off
| Arkansas was admitted into the Union on the
18th of June, 1886, with population Of about
ffty.6ve thousand. - 5gela :,
Florida vas admitted March 3rd, lS45, with q
| population Of about SIXTY, thousand, although q
CONSTITUTION bad been formed in 1888.
| 1t may become necessary TO antieiSate tbe rati
| feation of the new. Constitution BY the peSFle
and provide for the election of all the State off
GERS next fall, SO that the Territorial officers MAJ
then surrender their charges into the hands Of
| those elected by the people. sl.,zsss.g gr
1 Z 10 and nrohahlv fo notice