The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-01-28

The Senate, having considered the Home
stead bill 10 Committee Of the Whole, re-
ported progress thereon. and asked leave to
sit again.
On motion Of Mr.. STREETER, the
Senate again resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole, for the further consideration
of the same.
Mr.. McKUNE in the Chair.
Mr. DUNWELL offered an amendment
10 the first section, which provides an ex-
emption not exceeding two hundred feet
square, within the corporate limits Of any
town or city.
Mr. RIDPATH moved to amend by in
serting forty thousand square feet.
Mr.. HUDSON thought that the Senate
had been rather too liberal in their exemp-
tons, and the bill was beginning 10 appear
q little ridiculous. A man might own 80
acres adjoining the city Of st. Paul which
might be worth Sl5O,000, and it left the
matter optional with the owner whether he
would pay debt or not.
Mr.. SKINNER. The average price Of
Residence lots in this city is 800 per foot,
which would be 800, 900 for an ordinary lot.
The average ice Of lands in the country
would not amount 10 more than $50 per
acre, or about $4,000 for 100 acres. There
fore the bill seems TO be unequal
Messrs. HALL and DUNWELL con
tended that 100 per foot was far more than
the average price Of residence property.
and that the provisions Of the bill were not
so unequal us had been stated by the gen
teman from Rice.
Mr.. LiNDSLEY said the object was not
TO allow an exemption for the indolent or
vicious, but for those who have been utfor-
tunate in life. lie thought it was injurious
10 the legitimate objects Of the bill TO at
tach 80 nany amendments to il. ~. Paul
he thought was an exception to every rule
however, and there was nothing in the
heaven above or the earth beneath exactly
/ like It, He was consequently, opposed to
/ having 81 Paul referred 10 IN the discus
/ sion, aud the insertion Of so many additional
amendments
Mr.. VAN ETIEN agreed with Mr. s.
in dceming ~. Paul an exception to ordi-
nary rules But he could show the gentle.
man numerous residences in the city, 10
which the bill would be actual damage in
stead OF an exemption to the owners. If they
happened to be unfortunate in the present
or hereafter. The exemption law was no,
intended for the debtor or creditor, but for
the wife and children tie deemed the ex.
listing law preferable to the one proposed, IN
/ its application TO merchants, mechanics and
/ others residing within the limits Of the city
lie was therefore strongly in favor OF the
amendment. because the bill excmpts one
class, and allows another no privileges what.
ever, unless such an amendment was al
tached
Mr.. LINDSLEY said the object was
not to give the man who owes his fellows
an exemption, but for the protection OF the
family, and TO prevent the children from
growing up in ignorance, and perhaps vice
and crime. He certainly believed that one
/ quarter Of an acre was sufficiently liberal
exemption.
The amendment was discussed by Messrs
RElNER. 81 REErER, HUDSON and
Others.
Mr.. VAN E1'rEN moved to amend the
amendment of the gentleman from Dakota
! by cxempting forty thousand square feet in
such farm a. the owner may select
| Pending the further consideration of the
! bill. the Committee Of the Whole rose. AMI
| reported it back, with the recommendation
that ii he made the special order OF the day
for eleven O'Clock tomorrow. Adopted.
A number OF bills were then read So
cond time by their titles, and 80 copies o
each ordered printed.
The Senate then adjourned