The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-08-01
VOLUME 6.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
FRIDAY, JULY "a, 1851.

(ONSTLTVTlONAL CON
FRIDAY. JULY "a, 1851.
Mr. MANTOR presented the petition OF
l.. II. Bond, and other, citizens OF Dodge
County, asking that the rights of conscience
NAV be secured to them III regard to the OBJ
servanc, of the Sabbath day. The petition
ers relisiously observe the seventh day, and
respectfully refer the Convention to the laws
OF the State of Wisconsin on that subject.
BANKING, ETC, t..
Mr.. COLBURN, from the Committee on
Parking ana Corporations other then Num-
-cipal. reported an articl on this subject, with
nine sections.
Section L. Prescribes that all corporations
for banking purposes shall be formed under
general laws.
Sec. 2. Any general law on Banking
shall provide for regulating and countersign-
ing the Bank issues by an officer ofthe State,
and the issues shall be secured by public
stocks deposited with said officer, equal in
amount to said isSues-said stocks rated
at 10 per cent. below their value in New
York City. Said law shall require record
OF the names Of the stockholders.
Sei. 3. No special act OF incorporation
shall ne passed without 81 ecial reasons.
Sec 4. Stockholders to be individually
responsible for the debts and liabilities of the
corporation Of every kind.
Sec ). Bil!-ho!ders to be entitled to pref
erence.
Sec G. Corporations other than Banks
shall be formed un3er general law, except for
special public reasons.
Sec. IS The State shall not be stock
bcly-ar in hapl- or nj hpr corpOrafiOO
Sec. 9. CONSTITUTES the term corporation
50 as to include all associations and joint
stock companies, having powers not possessed
by individuals.
The report was read through by the Sec
retary, and under the rules, referred to the
Committee of the Whole and ordered to be
printed.
SEVENTH COUNCIL DISTRICT ELECTION.
Mr.. MCCLURE submitted the following
preamble and resolution
UhereGS. 1t has been reported, that in the
9TH Council District, (which includes Penn
hina, no election was held for the return of
Delegates to this Convention and whereas
it is also reported, that certain persons, some
of whom reside in that District and others
at Minneapolis, (without said District have
obtained certificates of election as Delegates
TO this Convention therefore,
Res0!red, That Committee of three be
appointed 6y the President of this COnven-
tion, whose duty it shall be to procure from
the Secretary of this Territory certified
copy Of the returns of said election by the
Register of Dcads to his office, and that said
tain the fact whether an election was held in
II LIT nj b,, of
for the election OF Delegates to this Conven-
tici; and that they repor. at as early day
as possible.
NJ. GALBRAITH sad, we had already a
scmi-official account of this tact, and he
thought it would be well enough to make the
inquiry. He moved the adoption of the res
OlutiOn.
And it was accordingly adopted and
tLcrcupon h, President appointed Messrs.
Mcclure, Foster and Stannard as said COM
Inittee.
PUNISHMENT OF GRIMES.
Mr.. +. p. DAVIS, from the Committee on
the punishment of Grimes, reported an arti-
Gle with II sections, which was read through
by the Secretary.
1t prescribes, among other things, that,
except in cases of Impeachment, no person
shall be held to answer for a capital or inf;,-
nous crime, except upon the prcsentment of
grand jury; that the party accused shall
have the right of speedy trial ot intOrma
tion of the nature of the accusation to be
confronted by witnesses; to have compulsory
process to compel the attendance of witness
es. and to have the assistance of counsel; that
there shall be no sanguinary law, nor exces-
sive bail, nor excessive fines, nor cruel pun
ishments; the right of habeas corpus shall be
inviolate; that adhering to the enemy in time
of war, and giving him aid and comfort shall
be treason; that. corporal punishment shall
not be inflicted, except in actual military SER
vice. and in times of public danger, that no
person shall be put in jeopardy twice for the
same offense; that in all cases, the jury shall
have the right to determine the law and the
facts; that the Legislature may authorize ju-
ries of less number than twelve that the
penal code shall be founded on principles of
reformation, and not Of vindictive Justice.
The report was passed the first and second
readings, and, under the rule, referred to the
Committee of the Whole and ordered to be
printed.
STATE BOUNDARY.
Mr. PERKINS, from the Committee on
the Boundary of the State, reported an arti-
Gle, ordaining and declaring that the State OF
Minnesota doth consent unto and accept the
boundary lines prescribed by Congress in the
Enabling Act; which was read twice, refer
red to the Committee of the Whole, and Or
dered to be printed.
PREAMBLE AND BILL OF RIGHTS.
On motion by Mr.. SECOMBE, the Con-
H,tca int 3 20
the Whole, Mr.. Stannard in the Chair, fer the
consideration of the report of the Committee
on the Preamble and. Bill of Rights
The Preamble reported was read by the
Chairman, as follows:
We, the people Of the State of Minnesota,
grateful to God for our civil and religious
liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its bles-
sings and secure the same to ourselves
and our posterity, do ordain and establish
this Constitution
Mr.. GALBRAITH proposed to amend
by striking out all between the word Min
nesota," and the word edo"
Mr.. NORTH hoped the amendment would
not be adopted. He liked that part of the
Preamble. lie liked the recognition of the
Higher Power in our State Constitution as
the source of all civil rights, 1t was mod
crn doctrine, that there was no Higher Law
that there was no power above an assemblage
of men, assuming to make laws for the peo-
pie. But on moments reflection, any man
would see the folly of such an idea; and in
order properly to preserve our rights, it SEEM
ed to him important that there should be
such recognition in the Constitution itself.
He hoped, therefore, it would not be strick-
en- out.
Mr.. GALBRAITH did not want to dis
cuss the matter. He regarded it simply as
useless verbiage, to put into the Constitution
anything so self-evident. He had observed
in many Constitutions set of words put
into the bill Of rights, which mean nothing.
He did not wish to say, we do not recognize
the Divine Being and his providence and
blessngs-not by any means but he saw
no use in putting such a recognition into the
Constitution.
Mr.. HAYDEN concurred in the remarks
of Mr.. North. He was confident that the
people Of Minnesota recognized Higher
Power than what was termed the Law of the
Land. The Law of God, upon which all
Just laws are based should be recognized. An
acknowledgment of the Divine Being. his kind
ness and mercy in permitting US to enjoy our
civil and religious privileges, was certainly
due from us and he thought the language
of the preamble should remain.
The amendment was rejected.
Sac All mon orn horn enualIv free and