The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-15
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.

The Interior shall roE forthwith take the
census of this Territory, and that the people
Of Minnesota shall have the full benefit Of
their whole population just as soon as that
census can be taken. IL can be taken in a
few months, and they can elect one, two or
three additional members and send them in.
TO the present Congress. and am in favor
of giving it TO them. | do not want TO
stand on any little technicalities or any little
forms in regard TO this matter. We have
repudiated all of them, as we ought TO do,
in regard to Kansas and We should do 80
in regard TO Minnesota, as We should do in
regard to any new Territory that comes
here and asks admission into the Union
When we can reach the matter, | propose
TO offer an amendment to carry out this idea,
providing that she shall come in with one
Representative now that the census shall
be taken as provided for in the act of Feb
rury 90. 1857 and that she shall have the
full and entire benefit of her population, as
she ought TO have in estimating the number
of her Representatives.
MIR. Polk, OF Mo-, in . speech Of great
ability and force contendcd for three Rep
resentatives. He based his proposition on
the fact that the census of the State was
taken incorrectly. Referring to the fact
that Iowa and Missouri had not their pro-
per representation, he said:
will merely add, Mr. President, in regard
to Iowa and my own State-and there are
other States probably in the same category
that we are. in the misfortune Of not being
able TO do Justice TO Iowa and Missouri, be
cause we have to wait for the expiration of
the decade before new census can be taken
1T is unfortunate that Iowa has less of po-
Utica! power than -l,- .e+f.sht to have; 1t Is
unfortunate that Missouri has less ofpoltical
power than she ought to have in comparison
to other States but say that is no reason
why Minnesota should be put in the same
category with those two States, and be com
PEELED TO lie under the same injustice Of in
sufficient representation, until n new census
can be taken
Now, Mr.. President, am not in favor OF
the suggestion, as the best suggestion, offer
ed by the Senator from Massachusetts,,
though that is better than the section as it
will stand if it should be amended in the
way now proposed. am in favor of the
suggestion made 10y the Senator from Geor
gia and shall move the amendment which
be suggested after the vote on this amend
mcnt shall I've taken, if il shall be voted
down; that is, to give Minnesota her three
Representatives now, making provision, at
the same time, for taking the new census,
and giving to the officers sufficient pay to
Justify them in doing the work and then If
it shall turn out that her population does
less number that her population may show
to be her due. But, sir, have no kind OF
doubt in my own mind that, If the amend
mcnt TO which call attention shall pass,
Minnesota will never be represented In the
other branch OF this Government by less
than three Representatives on the contra
nv, believe she will retain her three. and by
the time the general census is taken at the
commencement of the next decade, she will
be entitled to four, aud perhaps more than
that.
Mr.. JoyEs, Of Iowa, referring to the rep
rescntation Of Iowa, said:
We, in Iowa. know that we have not jus
tice under the existing law, and We cannot
have it until the law be changed. We have
population Of between six hundred thou
sand and seven hundred thousand, and yet
we have only two Representatives in the 9th
er House. Though we know that justice is
| withheld from us, we are not willing, ut least
l. as one Of the Senators from Iowa, am not
willing, TO see Minnesota deprived of what
she is entitled to.
| Mr.. Polk. should like TO know OF the
Senator from Iowa what was the population
| of his State when il was admitted into the
Union9
Mr.. Jones do not recolect.
| Mr.. Harlan. II was one hundred and
ninety.two thousand.
| Mr.. Polk. Did she get two representa-
tives on that basis
Mr.. Harlan. Yes, sir.
Mr.. Polk. Ii strikes me that that is the
strongest argumen which can be made in
| favor Of Minnesota. Iowa was admitted
! with two representatives, when she had q
population Of one hundred and ninety-two
thousand, and now her population wonld en-
title her 10 four or five representatives.
Mr. Jones. Six
Mr.. Pugh. The population Of Iowa, at
the time Of her admission. was one hundred
and nincty-two thousand two hundred and
fourteen.
Mr. Brown. What was the ratio Of rep
resentation then
Mr.. Pugh. She had enough for two mem
Z hers and a ANAL frartion
Mr. Polk Iowa only got two members
then, and she would be entitled now, accord
ing 10 fair census, to FIVE or six.
Mr.. JONES. Western members Of Con
gress know the great difficulties which we
encounter in those newly-settle1 countries
In obtaining full census Of the people. II
/. out u the question 70 get il. ] know
that, al the Las, cersls taken in Iowa, sornc
COUNTIES were entirely lef, out, and that ia
considered an old State 10 comparison wi,h
Minnesota. am certain tina, a great deal
Z NJ fite r.orr,iasio~ ~ nt-o.. <,.,tS IN.