The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-03-27
Letter from Senator M'Kune, Of VAST
ca County, in Opposition to the
Sh AnO OOOs-k tlH LII

ALLOW me through yourcolurnns to state
my position in'#regard to the SIS 100000
loan. Having been prevented from being
present during the passage Of the bill, by
sickness in my family, deem this explana-
ton due to myself and my constituents
Whilst am in favor of the immediate con-
struction of our Railroads, and believe that
the prosperity Of Minnesota depends in
some deg gree on their early COMMENCEMENT
and completion, believe the above named
measure eminently calculated to defeat the
desired object, and will submit few of the
many reasons why | am opposed to the
measure, and why the people should reject it
with Ii, iversal NO! -H 'f''''i
l. Because the principle of loaning the
credit of the State to corporations, thereby
mourning State debt and consequent taxa
ton, is wrong and dangerous.
IL. Because it will have tendency
to prevent our immediate admission in
to the Union, by showing that the
people are dissatisfied with their Consti-
tuition, and because the Constitution which
has been presented to Congress, as the Con-
stitution of Minnesota, might be changed be-
fore our admission, or after our admission but
before the news Of such acceptance could ar
rive here-making unpleasant complications,
and giving no security for ourselves, or guar
anty to Congress that the Constitution of to-
day will be the Constitution of tomorrow.
III. Because the people cannot have a
fair expression, as in great many localities
the bill cannot reach them before they arc
called upon to vote. :.....~.. ..4. ....
w. Because the passage of the above
named act, is in direct violation of Mrse pro-
visions of the Constitution, not proposed to
be amended Sec. !, Art. 9 of the Consti.
tuition provides, that the State shall never
contract any public debt unless in time of
war to repell invasion, or suppress insurrec-
ton, except in the cases and in the manner
provided in the fifth and siath sections of this
Article-not Section TEN, which is proposed
to be amended ! Section five, article nine,
provides that no law creating State debt
shall take effect, until it shall haves been
passed by tlno-thirls Of the members Of each
branch of the Legislature. The 100000
loan did not receive the votes of two-thirds OF
either branch of the Legislature. Section
one, Article fourteen, provides that all
amendments to the Constitution shall be
published with the laws which have been
passed at the same session, shall he submit.
ted to the people at the end and not in the mid
die Of a session, so the same Legislature cannot
take advantage OF Constitution OF their own
making, under which they were not elected
In such case, the People have no representa-
ton in the measure passed having never
elected Legislature on the Issues which al
ways will arise under new or an amended
| Constitution.
V. Because the State has not the least
shadow Of security. Judging the Companies
from their own words, they have not got one
dollar to commence their roads with; have az
credit abroad and are in debt consequently
are not entitled to any credit at home. A.
soon as the $5,OOOO0O are expended, the.
would be just where they are now, and woult
ain appear with their beggar'S petition
praying to be released so as to enable them t.
obtain credit somewhere else and the Stat,
must do it or the works would go to decay
VI. Because this loan is to all intents an,
purposes STATE DEBT. Al! the securit,
the bond holder has, is the Jain Of the State
and to make that fail h good, the Constitu
ton provides, (artcle Q, section 81 tina
every such law shall levy tax annually
sufficient to pay the annual interest of sue
debt and also tax sufficient to pay tn
principal of such debt within ten years
which must be done if the people ratify til
proposed amendment and every member c
the Legislature who votes against the ia
will riolate the oath he took when he swor
1" to support the Constitution The tax mus
be levied to give validity to the bonds, an
that beforl the final adjournment OF the Lit
gislature!
) VII. Because the bill does not provid
any actual security for the completion Of or
, mile of road, nor for the completion of an
! two continuous miles Of grating.
: VIII. Because the companies propose
make part if not all Of the bonds Jonhi1
: capital; and by transferring them to crcs
4 lures of their own, they can compel the Sta
= to pay or rather owe them the interest an
!; principal and the people will have FIVE mi
] lions of dollars in currency without one dc
lar Of coin to redeem it with
5 IN. Because the bill does not provide al
Il security to prevent the Governor from co
y veying at any time when he is corrupt enous
to do it. land the two late Governors Of WI
consin are evidence that Governors may
bought,) to any person agreeing with t!
companies, the whole amount Of land held
If trust for the State for one dime, and t
e Lord only knows who : cur Governor,
a who lie will be, of this half State and h
e Territory Of Minnesota.
Noportion Of the above statement is mea
to apply to the Cedar Valley and Minneap
lis Railroad Company, as understand tn
are not an applicant for any portion OF
loan. LEWIS MckUNE,
State Senator from the Count
III OF Steele and Waseca.
)e Claims.
ar Full landed farmers who can afford to b
of the first settlers, will not come if you 7
S. ,000.000 debt on the State. It is t