The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1858-05-13
Admission Of Minnesota.
WASHINGTON, Sunday. May 2, 1858

WASHINGTON, Sunday May 2, 1858.
Core. .pondence of the New York Times
For six months the incohatc State OF
Minnesota, with population five or six
times as great as that OF Kansas, and with
o constitution framed under an enabling act
of Congress, and unanimously adopted by
her people, has been compelled to stand at
the door Of the Union awaiting the result Of
a contest which had no possible connection
with her own claims and which had no in
terest for her, more than for any member of
the coniederaey. Meantime. her representa-.
tives have been kept here in inpatient idle
ness, and all the needed legislation for new
State has been postponed, to the sacrifice Of
both public and private interests. At last,
within few weeks Of the end Of the ses.
sion, there appears probability that her
case will be taken up. considered, and acted
upon. If well enough, Mr.. Stephens will
probably move tomorrow, TO take up the
Minnesota bill (which has already been pub
lished :; il is at any rate intended that the
subjec, shall b. brought up this week. This
being the case, il will be interesting to
glance at a few points in connection with
the application Of Minnesota for admission
into the Union.
do not find that there is to be any con.
ccrted opposition TO the admission
of Minnesota; on the contrary, the
prevailing impression seems TO he that she
should be ut once invested with the full priv.
ileges of State but scattering signs Of
opposition do exist, based upon four distinct
points. to wit:
/. Irregularities in the formation of the
Constitution.
.. Frauds in the election OF State Off
GERS.
3. Defects in the Constitution itself, al
legged to make members OF the Legislature
members for life.
a. Lberality of the Constitutional pro-
visions relative to suffrage.
! The first poin. cannot be- much insisted
on. since the Constitution was adopted by
/ both Conventions, and almost unanimously
ratified by the people. If any irregularities
J existed, they were more efIectnally cured by
this action than they would be by any action
/ of Congress The second point, under
stand will be raised by Mr. Washbnrne. Of
/ Illinois. and Others, but neither ought TO
initiate against the admission Of the State,
let the allegations relating thereto be either
true or false. Frauds in the election under
the Constitution have nothing TO DO with
the validity Of that instrument, and are
solely matters Of State concern. II frauds
are proved IN the election Of CongressInen.
they relate 10 tho admission Of gentlemen
claiming to be members, and considerations
subsequent 10 the admissions of the State.
The third poin, has been somewhat mag
nifed, and will repay moments attention.
1t is said that there is no provision in the
Constitution for the election Of a new leg
stature, and that, contrary 20 the spirit OF
Republicanism the present Legislature IL
Perpetual The articles Of the Constitution
relating 10 this subject are as follows:
agc. %. The Legislature shall provide By
las for an enumeration of the inhs b!tspts ~
tins State IN the gear i-Jj, and eseyy tenth
year thereafter. At their frs, session after
each enume alton 40 made. and sls0 st their
first session after each eDGIasranon made ~ the
authority OF the United States, the Legislature
shall have the power 20 prescribe the bounds
Of COngIesssoaa, Senatorial and REpresenta
tive Districts, snd 20 apportgn anew The seDa
tors and representatives among tn several dis
tuci-. according TO the provisions d -eetoh
~eGpLg OF lhts ATIcte.
SIC. 81. The Senators shall also be chosen
by slngle di-triets Of consenient cpniigUou.
territory, at the same time that the members
a the iiOuse ~ Representatives, are required
20 be ehosea, and in the same manner. ana ~
Reps Fs-enistve District shail De div .dfI Ia the
formation ~ senate Dstrict. Tie ~eaAte
Districts shall b. numbered 10 regular ssncs,
and The Sesat0rs chosen by the Districts ds.ig
mated by odd EumbsSs shall 70 out Of oHcs a,
the Kplra;.on q the hrsi year and the Senator.
ctussn BY the dlstFiets designated BY evsa
nun bsf. shall go on, u Office al the expiration
Of the second year; and thereafter the senator.
.kal ts chosen fO The term of ,~o year,. ex.
cert there ,hAl' be an eutire nes election Of
ali the senator. - the election nsGt succeed.
ing e.eh rsw aproriionmsnt provided for 10
the article.
Now, although a; first glance there docs
apPear " exist sorne ground for The allega-
ton, an examination of the rubjee' ~ill show
that = jsdicial construction u the-e sections
destroys It. The members Of the senate are
divided into ixo clas-~, al. after the frt
legislature holding two year., bat half be-
INC elected annually. by ssctioo -, above
, quoted, SENATOR are 70 be chosen at the
, ZANE tin.e rnmters of the Hoose Of Rfpee-