The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-02-20

River, and connecting with the Chicago Rail-
road, 251 miles In length, earned only $780,
69l net but little more than the L. @. Il
M. Road, only 60 miles long if Mr.. Strong
stated the truth.
Now see the difference. The Milwaukee
and Mississippi earned only 81, 4S4 per mile,
while Strong says the La Crosse earned $1O,-
600 per mile.
La Crosse and Milwaukee stock sells in
New York at an average of not over 10 cents
on dollar, while the Milwaukee and Missis-
sippi is at least times that amount This
showing must convince any man that Mr..
Strong was in error.
The State has no securities guaranteed to
it in the bill now before the Legislature
These Railroad companies have no securities
to give, they are without money, withoutland
and without foot of Road. How then are
they to secure the State? They cannot do
it. 1t this measure becomes law and these
bonds are issued the people must be taxed
to pay them. The people are not able to
bear such a burden.
Judge Goodrich said the night was far
spent, and he would not make speech
His name was put on the placards without
his knowledge. He had always been oppos-
ed to the r. r. Loan. Four years ago, a
Territorial Legislature gave away, before
hand, all the lands Congress might give us,
to certain gentlemen. (Applause.)
Mr.. STRoNG'S visit here, was TO get an out
side pressure he did not believe in this
1t was wrong idea to try and influence the
members by any of these meetings, for or
against it He was going to reserve his re-
marks until it came before the people, and
then he would oppose it. The lands were
given away before we had received them, he
said, in prospect Of the act of Congress.
He spoke of the fallacy of mortgaging
roads which would not be built for year
yet, to indemnify the State, and recited sew
eral anecdotes to illustrate the point. They
want the State to pay them for beating the
poker, as they had scarcely got their roads
surveyed yet. He closed by again declaring
he was opposed to "outside PRESSURE" and
as he had not intended to make speech,
wouldn't say anything more.
Col. ROBERTSON made few remarks. He
directed them principally to the members of
the Legislature, whom he warned not to pass
such measure. He denied their right, and
said that he, as one of the people, would
fight the measure to the death. (Applause.)
He warned the Legislators not to urge for
ward the measure, and showed the absurdity
of these Railroad Directors, for whose in
terests this bill was got up offering bonds,
or security, or mortgages. He reviewed the
bill in its features, and declared it was q new
scheme, and its ultimate effect was to embar-
rass and injure tie people. He had not in
tended to make lengthy speech, he said, and
would not detain the audience. But he
must express his condemnation of the bill, if
they would bear with him moment. He
appealed to the people, whom he asked if they
We're willing to be taxed and burdened to
keep these bankrupt Railroad Companies,
&c. 1t would be shirt of which,
once put on, could not be taken off. ZAP
plause.)
The Col's speech occupied some time, but
owing to the lateness of the hour, and the
crowded state of our report, we are unable
to give more than the above outline of the
speech.
When he concluded, loud calls were made
for Mr.. Hollinshead, who appeared, but said
be would make no remarks, and moved that
the meeting adjourn until next Monday eve
ming; which was carried.
The Hall was denscly crowded all the eve
ming, and much interest in the question was
manifested, by the silence of the audience,
except when applauding the points of the
speakers.