The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-04

cations A. written In the Constitution, and yet,
common custom In reference to Clerks and
many of the duties imposed upon Judges of
Elections, are not mentioned la that instrunsnt
This argues, In the opinion Of the minority. an
Implied power In the Legislature 10 throw
around tho ba'iotbox such safeguards ~ In
their wisdom may seem necessary 10 carry out
measures Of protection and effect the greatest
good 10 the greatest number.
All admit that Registry law would do much
10 maintain the purity Of the elective franchise
upon which rests oil hope Of the Republic. and
that the proper exercise Of this right il zines.
Unable to free men and formidable 10 tyfan,s
only"
All experience has shown that 10 good man.
who values HIS own honor Of that Of the nation.
would 30 far degrade himself NJ TO falsely the
test Of an election. as TO east his vots Illegally
or twice In this same election for the same can.
didate. This bill only provides against out.
RACES which the Unprincipled can at presen Mt
commit with immunity, and without the fear Of
punishment. The Constitution does not pro-
vide any infection Of punishment upon the per.
Jurer. Does naturally follow, In the ordinary
course OF reasoning. that q law made and fixing
penalty upon that crime would DO nneon.,i
tu.ionalG The whole tenor Of the maIority'n
deductions upon this point Of anconstitational.
~ must DO deemed weak and without the sha
dow Of foundation.
The second and only poin, made Ia the re.
port Of tho majority, Is It's inexpediebcy In q
sparseIy settled country like Minnesota: that
however well It might work practically In older
settled States, II would IN the present instance
Impose on unnecessary hardship upon each
voter.
NO person acquainted with the regulations Of
our election system could, under the operations
Of this Law, be pfeeladea from the right of snf
rage any more than under present existing
lava. The individual, honest In purpose and
sincere In motive. would be earnest to place
himself upon the list at the proper time, know
ing its effect would not, a. IN sir,sa past. be
nentralized by the vote Of unscripulous per
Jnrers. III in ono country mors than another
registry law ~ necessity, II certainly must be
In country thinly Inhabited The people are
not 40 Intimately acquainted the door for fraud
ID more easily opened, and within tho short
space Of ak months we have felt the bitter OK.
perience OF false returns, false votes, and faIse
oahvassihg. Another feature VI tho maiorty's
report strikes IA AZ exceedingly original in this
CONNECTION, that " the purity Of the ballot boy
can he sufficiently protected by laws reqniring
vigilance aud efficiency on the part OF those who
conduct elections"
Our statute books are already burJened with
penalties Tor any violation Of duties. and inn
poses severe penalties upon fraudulent voting
yet they are disregardej, and demagogues OBJ
tam power and Office through purchased and
Illegal votes. II IL no uncommon occprrence
that mon vote three and -four times AZ one cleo
ttoD--an evil which. II not remedied, sooner or
later Will overthrow and destroy the highest
PfefogatlVe of an American citizen, and even.
tually snbvert the institutions We cherish.
Ihs extraordinary objection cannot In any
instance inIure the tights or defeat the desire
Of tho honest voter, but II does throw obstacles
IN 'he path Of the plant party tool, who for
price iess than thirty pieces OF silver" sells
the greatest privilege Of u freeman.
He who will seli the freemans right, will
not hesitate TO seal the contract with perjury
most foul"
Ought these things TO bei The past appeals
to the present, It's wrongs solernnly invoke tho
aid Of this Legislature TO aid in the abatement
OF injustice, to do away with crime, and to
base our institutions upon the will of the ma
jority.
The whole tsnor Of this bill is to preserve the
free will of the majority tbs grand idea Of
popular sovereignty" II our election laws
he not changed u repetition Of the frauds of
last October viii be repeated on the return of
each succeeding election, attended with scenes
OF violence, the contemplation Of which To
every good citizen Is both painful and revolt
NJ.
The minority ave thought proper to draf,
TWO additional sections 10 the bill In reference
TO penalties. which are transmitted TO the
House, aud respectfully ask its concur
therein.
EpwN N. BeAmcs,
Minority member of Com. on Judiciary.
The bill and reports were made the ,pe-
c'al order for next Friday.
THE RAILROAD INVESTIGATION.
Mr. RUTAN, Chairman Of the Commit.
tee on Railroad Investigation. reported ~
follows
Your Committee that was appointed TO In.
vestgate the Affairs OF certain LIANT Grant Rail,
road Companies, would beg leave 20 report
that they have met with the Committee Of the
senate, some four different times. without be
lig able 10 agree to any mode Of operation. -
Your Committee are led TO believe that. in the
absence Of any law To compel the attendance
OF witnesses, that Il IL useless. therefore, for
the Committee 10 spend any more time Ia the
investigation. and would ask ~ be discharged.
All OF which Is respectfully submitted,
A. J. RurAS.
The Committee was discharged.
sscoNp READING mousK BILLS.
An act to keep the Capitol building in
good repair.
An act securing to mechanics lien on
lands and buildings.
An act to Incorporate the city of Waha
shaw.
fHE Agricultural col.LEGs.
The bill for the establishment Of q State
Agricultural College, having BEEN taken up
in Committee Of the Whole, Mr.. MuRru,
in the chair,
The first section having been rad, Mr.
SlIEEl'Z offered substitute, providing for
the establishment Of the college in the yicin
i,y of Owatonna. Steele county,
Mr., CllOWAN opposed the amendment
Of Mr. Sursrn. The subject OF an Agri
cultural college had occupied his attention
in obtaining information from other State:
in regard To the workings Of such schools
lie had b,rn asked by lIennepin county met
TO locate the college in that county but b,
had always answered. no, lie did not pro
pose to legislate for Heunepin county alon,
in matters that pertain To the in,e
rests OF the agricultural portions OF tn
State. tie appealed to the members t,
,b.nx. asil III LN.,l ,,,x,,n.l.,.,u -, ,bs ~, /,