The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-02-27

sumed by and the Purposes of its Pro-
jectOrs.
In discussing this question of loaning the
State credit to the Land Grant Railroad
Companies heretofore, we have made 1t our
study to avoid all personal illusions to these
by whom the companies are differed. But,
when we find some of these gentlemen assum-
ing dictatolial powers and authority respecting
measures of public moment, and threatening
with ostracism, all who, from any motives
see fit to oppose them we feel that they are
getting slightly above their proper level
laying themselves and their actions open
to investigation, and that little inquiry into
their official conduct may not prove amiss or
Improbable either to the public, or to them
selves in the long run.
Modest men never assume these airs of
of authority and importance, and we confess
our surprise at finding the usually quiet and
softly spoken President of the Nj. & N. P. r.
r. Co., attempting this role. His success
heretofore, in wire, pulling, has been mainly
attributable to his quiet approaches and sua-
witty of department and his present assump-
ton Of the tone dictatorial is evidence of the
highest degree of desperation. His stake is
large one-he has risked epery thing upon
this single issue, and rule or ruin" is his
motto in the battle. His former tactics, he
finds unavailing, and he has therefore resolv
ed upon a new course of action-command-
ing those whom it was his wont to entrcat,
and in tones of assumed authority lidding
them pass this bil'-give him and his con-
.fress this $5,OOO,000, and threatening, with
his condign dispIcasure, all who are disposed
to question his authority or show signs of
disobedience.
We are not sure that he has adopted an
unwise policy. He is but following the pro-
totype of his own and his party's political
masters of the South, and having frequently
witnessed their success in the Federal Legis-
lative Halls, believes that be may practice it
with equal success here.
We have remarked in former part of this
article, that this assumption Of authority and
power on the part of Mr.. RICE was evidence
of the highest degree Of desperation In
this we are not so sure that we are right.
We are not certain that he does not actually
fatter himself that it is not an assumed au-
thority, but, from his position as President
of this company, reality. Is it not-upon
further reflection and closer scrutiny-a mere
anticipation or foreshadowing of what he be-
lieves, with this S5,O0O,O0O divided between
himself and his friends, his authority will
soon become? From the most intimate
character Of his relations, with at least two Of
the other companies, the power which he will
tality of this loan divided among them, will
be infinitely greater than if the whole was
granted to his own company. Upon second
thought therefore we believe that our last
conjecture is the true state Of the ca se-the
true solution of his new character, and that
at present: lie has the part in rehearsal, pre-
paratory to, and feeling satisfied that he will
soon have an opportunity of playing the
part before the public.
Let us examine the course of the officers OF
this company since the time of its organiza-
ton and see whether there is anything in that
to support our solution Of this present show
Of authority.
In looking over the past, we now remem-
Der, that this company, when it was without
either money or credit-the mere ghost of
corporate body-was made, through its man.
a.ing officers, who happened to be members
Of the Democratic party, to play rather
important part in the last fall election. 1t
was thought to be essential TO the success of
certain aspirants for Senatorial honors that
the West Hennepin Senatorial and Represen-
tative District should be carried for the dem
ocratic party. 1t was imagined by the Off
GERS of this company th part of their road
was located near st. Anthony, and that that
was the most appropriate point to commence
the construction, and forthwith, a little more
than ten days prior to the election, large
number of Irish Democratic voters were sent
there to work and to vote. Though they
forgot the former part of their duty, they did
good service in the latter,-as one of their
| leaders reported to the President of the Com
pany on the day of the election in front of
the Court House in this city,-inlorming that
high lunctionary that the "b'ys"-pointing
to load of thcm-had voted at every poll
! from St. Anthony to the Second Ward, and
that after voting there, they would proceed
/ to the Thlrd-which they did accordingly ;
but unfortunately for their patriotic inten-
tons, our friend JUDGE GOODRICH arrived at
that Ward in advance of them, and interior
ed with their voting fifth or sixth time.
Nor is this the only exercise of power OF
which the officers of that company were
guilty in that campaign. They had their
agents scattered all over the upper country
-ostensbly in the service of the company
really in its pay and actually the political
agents of Mr. RICE and his friends some of
which agents are now here demanding their
pay of this company for those very services.
Nor does it stop here; the salaricd officers
of that Company stumped the State. Even
the enthusiastic ard patriotic TAYLOR, the then
and now Secretary of the Company, at sal.
airy of s., 900 per annum, spent the whole fall
in attempting to define his position but, as
we understand he was not quite successful
in that attempt, we can scarcely complain OF
him, only in this, that he showed his DISPOSE
ton to exercise the power, had he possessed
any.