The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-02-13

BY Mr.. MURPHY: To provide for The
appointment Of Private Secretary, and t.
fix bis compensation. ..ara 3o o.1o9t %
s SECOND READING OF BILLS. aT
Senate memorial for daily mail from Pres
colt, Wis, to Taylors Falls. aaa'n'
Also, memorial for an appropriation to pay
Orrin w. Rice the amount expended by him
in making road from Twin Lakes to Kettle
River. Aa @ PCS nt. ,|
Senate bill, to exempt certain property
from execution. ''lo. alt 81 ia1io-4
Joint resolution providing for COMMITTEES
to procure plats and field notes of School
Lands. a9'd2sh 1855 1850 $40 y.0 o.
To vacate certain lots in the town Of North
| Zunbrota. T'fi t4 a+'
To establish the rate of interest in this
State. Referred to a select committee com.
posed of Messrs. Tattersall, Atkinson and
M. Thompson. i- as1
To authorize the Regents Of the Univer
sity of Minnesota to borrow money. a
THIRD READING.
Senate bill to incorporate the Town Of
Nininger City. Passed-ayes A, nays l.
To grant the right to Benjamin Van Cam.
pun to maintain ferry across the Cannon
River. Passed-ayes Al, nays 10.
Joint resolution relative to Swamp Lands
Passed-ayes 81.
HOMESTEAD BILL.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole, Mr.. PIERCE in the Chair, for the con-
sideration of the Senate file of bills.
The bill to exempt certain property from
execution being under consideration,
Mr.. GIBSON moved to amend section l
so as to limit the value of the homested ex-
emption to $4,000. Lost.
Mr.. BEARCE moved to limit 1t to five
thousand dollars.
Mr.. BALCOMBE argued in favor of es-
tabslihing some limit to the amount of the
Homestead exemption, and it mattered not
to him personally whether that limit was
$4,000, $4,000, or $4,000. There was a
limitation in all the acts on the subject pass
ed in the different States except one, and he
contended if such limitation was not fixed,
the law would be subject to such abuses that
future Legislatures would repeal the bill.
The friends of Homestead bill always
killed the bill with kindness-they exempted
so much as to render the bill liable to defeat
and if passed, of more than doubtful expe-
.1iency.
Mr.. RUTAN opposed the idea of setting
value on the Homestead. When limita-
ton was made, the act ceased to be Home
stead act-it was mere exemption act. He
argued this point at some length. As for the
act being partial, it could not be helped-no
law could be made but what would be partial
in some of it's operations.
Mr.. Il. A. THOMPSON also spoke to the
same effect. If limitation was to be fixed
he would never consent to have a limitation
less THAI 100000, so as to prevent any
any possible chance of Homestead from
being taken from the family.
Mr..TATTERSALL was for exempting a
certain area without any reference to the val
ne which it was supposed it was worth. He
did not consider it bill for rascals to take
advantage of.
Mr.. KEITH considered that this and some
other bills which had been introduced here
woul,1 have a similar tendency-to impair our
public credit. This bill was for the protec-
ton of r>gues and rascals. No honest man
would even ask to have his homestead, worth
from five thoLs sand dollars upwards, to be ex-
empt from seizure by creditors.
Mr.. OTIS said when this question was
first discussed be was favorableato limita-
ton in value, but he had changed his opinion
and was in favor of the free exemption of the
homestead. He would limit it only in area,
not in price. This he considered the true
purpose of a Homestead Act
Further debate was had by the same gen.
tlemen, when the Committee rose and asked
leave to sit again.
The House then adjourned.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY II, 1858.
SENATE was called to order, Mr.. RID
PATH in the Chair.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. NORTON introduced o bill relating to
Judicial sales of Real Estate also, bill to
amend chapter 18 of the Revised Statutes.
RESOLUTIONS.
The resolution of Mr.. M'Kune, relative to
the appointment of Committee to investi-
gate the mileage of various members was
then taken up.
Mr.. HULL moved its indefinite postpon-
ment.
! Mr. BATES said there could be no objec-
ton to an investigation. 1t has been limited
abroad that some Senators had been over
charging the State, andi behooves us to in
vestigate the matter. If every one has acted
honestly, it will injure no one, but if any one
has overcharged, let us know it.
Mr.. SMITH said he was sorry that there
was supposed even to be any grounds for an
investigation. 1t was stain on our honor,
and he wanted it ferreted out, and exposed
and corrected.
Mr.. ADAMS said he, too, was in favor Of
the investigation. But it might turn out
that no one had done anything wrong. Mis-
takes will happen in the best regulated fami-
lies.
Mr.. STREETER wanted it to 90 farther.
he would like to see the per diem even cut
down-thought it should not be more than
$3.50 per day. He would 60 in for it.
On taking the vote, there were yeas, and
Is nays. So this motion to indefinitely post.
pone was lost.
Mr.. VAN ETTEN then offered the substi.
tute for the resolution
Resoiued, That the opinion Of this Senate
no member is entitled to mileage.
Mr.. FOLSOM opposed any such resolution
It was a burlesque-it was unreasonable. II
might do if the Capitol was on wheels, and
could be moved by turns into every Senatori-
al District. But he opposed making the in.
vestigation ridiculous.
Mr.. VAN ETTEN protested that he did
not intend to burlesque the resolution. Tt was
to stand on its merits. His mileage only
amounted to one miles fees {: had he been from
some distant district, and heard such charges
mentioned as had been made, he would de.
mand that they name those whom they
charge as having been dishonest. He said a
strict construction of the constitution would
really show that no member is entitled to
any mileage.
Mr.. FOLSOM said he did not accuse any
member of having overcharged, but it may
have happened. He did not know Of any ta
BILE of distances by which Committee or
bo1 fo1 bo