The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-11

Companies, what it is very evident the CON-
panies connot now do, single-handedt by
such me:s sure, not only will the roads be
pushed along, but millions Of capital other
wise attracted elsewhere, viii aow into every
avenue Of business. And q for security
against taxation-when you have the Rail,
road Companies in the hollow Of your hand
you will certainly not confess yourselves
incapable Of doing what Massachusetts,,
Maryland, Tennessee and Missouri have done,
whose loans Of State credit to Railroad
Companies have amounted to one hundred
millions Of dollars without the payment of
one dollar from their Treasures"
Meanwhile, the Legislature discharged its
duty to Its constituency, in manner highly
honorable to the members. An attempt by
city paper TO array the Republicans, on
party grounds, against the measure, signally
failed ; and the discussion went on from day
to day with the best possible results. The
Railroad Companies far from attempting to
coerce Legislative action, were solicitous that
the securities should be modified ~ any sug.
gestion tending to rcnder them perfectly sat
isfactory to the people; and when the meas
ure finally passed both branches, not only
were many found among its most efficient
supporters, who had been constrained by
sense Of duty to oppose the original draft !;
but there is reason to believe that several
negative votes would have been reversed, IL
they had been necessary to afford the people
an opportunity 10 pass upon the measure,
Our columns have shown that we were
Of the number who were not satisfied with
the bill as reported by the Select Committee
of the Senate. We dissented from the sug.
gestion, that the State should issue its bonds
to the amount Of one hundred thousand dol.
lars to each Company in advance Of con
structon and IL was only when this feat
ure was changed by q Senate amendment,
and further valuable provision inserted, 70
quiring proof Of certain amounts of actual
construction, AZ q condition of receiving
State aid TO the moderate limit Of $4,000
per mile Of finished road, that we were NJ
conciled TO the aggregate amount Of 1--WE mil
lions. On this point, our first impression
was in favor Of three millions but the citi-
zens Of interior counties regarded that sum
US unjust TO the western frontiers, and siren.
uously insisted that the lesser sum was
sel6sh suggestion Of the river towns, for the
purpose Of overcoming the difficulties Of the
bluffs and, under such circumstances, il
would have been ungracious TO insist. ri.
nally, the sentiment in favor Of five millions
became nearly unanimous.
We publish herewith the Act submitting
to the people the Constitutional amcndmen,
requisite for loan Of State credit 10 ex-
peditc railroad construction. We have
scrutinized lis provisions with anxious care !;
and although under other circumstances we
should oppose any liability of the State for
such purpose, yet We deem the ratification
Of the proposed Amendment at this time, u
public necessity--as indispensable to the
welfare Of the people oil Minnesota. We
also believe that its details are now 20 ad.
justed, that there is no reasonable prospect
OF abuse in the expenditure; aud the securi
ties are far more ample than have been found
necessary in the other States already named
for the complete protection oil the people
from taxation. But on these points, as well
~ other details, we do not ask any reader 10
take our unsupported assertion. We shall
refer very frequently to this important sub
ject, before the April election, and in a NC
rics Of articles shall endeavor 10 vndicate
an Affirmative vote upon the proposition then
to be determined by the people Of Mime
sofa.