The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-18

The $1,000, 900 Loan discussion.
The meeting on Friday evening. at the
Capitol, was largely attended, by all classes
Of our citizens. VIZ. r. MARSHALL, Esq.
presided, and addresses were made by Ex.
Gov. GoRxAS, MORTON s. WILKINSON, Esq,
Judge Goodrich, and Col. RoBKRrsON.
Ex-Gov. Germans address was lengthy, and
abounding in statistical Information He argued
against the loan, on the ground that the State
was too young, the population too small, and
the amount Of taxable property too little, to
justify the immediate construction Of the rail-
roads; and that they could not be made to pay
expenses II constructed now. He gave the
amount of indebtedness OF the various States,
with their population and taxable property
and then drew Q comparison by showing the
population Of Minnesota, her taxable property, I,
and the amount of debt that would be sadded
upon each individual, in the event Of the State
having to pay the loan.
Judge Cooper went into an examination Of
the question in legal point of view, his first
proposition being that the Bill which Is pro-
posed to be passed by the Legsl ature, was un-
questionably creating public debt Secondly,
he inquired into what was the nature and Office
Of . fundamental law, and answering that it
was an absolute proposition, the object being
to create, confirm and restrict. He then de-.
fined the effect Of q legislative act to be the
authorizing, performing and carrying out in de.
tail the principles as enunciated 10 q fundament.
al law. The bill under ccnsde rati on, so far as
II created the public debt was fundamcnta,
law, but in its details was q legislative act, and
passage would be . violation Of the Constitu-
ton. He considered the prop osed bill not only
unconstitutional but Revolutionary in its tenden.
cies. He also adverted to the probabilities Of
the roads paying the interest, and contended
that instead Of having any net profits as
pledge from the payment Of the interest, the
roads would be seen at q dead loss.
Judge Goodrich went into q history Of the
Land Grant operations of the Territory, and
made a couple Of his usually appropriate Illus.
trations. He was opposed TO this debating of
the question, 40 as to operate upon the Legs.
lature. He was in favor Of that body acting
without the outside pressure being made 40
strong by either side. When the question
would come before the people, he would have
no hesitation in opposing the loan.
Mr.. Wilkinson examined into the arguments
presented the other evening by Mr.. Strong and
quoted from the Railroad record to show that
tho cost per mile Of building the roads had been
underestimated by that gentleman.
Col. Robertson proceeded to treat the pro
positions Of the bill as leading TO anarchy and
revolution, and drew vivid picture Of the ef.
fects which would result from 4 failure Of the
Companies to meet the interest on the bonds,
and the exhorbitant taxes that would have to
be levied upon property.
The addresses Of the Speakers were listened
TO with marked attention by the large audience.
Al the close Of the meeting (ll oclock) 1t was
announced that an adjourned meeting would
be held on Monday evening at the same place,
the purpose being to give the friends Of the
measure an opportunity to reply.
The adjourned meeting of the citizens to
hear the discussion Of the Loan Bill was at
tended by a very large audience. WV. r.
MARSHALL, ESQ.,, called the meeting to or.
der, aud WV. lIOLLiS6sHEAD came forward
and discusred the question in favor Of the
loan:
Mr.. Hollinshead said: In entering upon
| the debate, which was commenced on Friday.
| he did not do 30 az an Attorney for or against
the B0ads; he never had been an Attorney for
the Roads, nor did he ever expect 20 be. lie
L-l -.l.. H.. f,.sa l.. al .
every good citizen Of Minnesota had in any
| project that would be benefit TO oil. He had
been surprised 70 hear Gov. Gorman engaged
in an argument contrary 10 his own Interest,"
! IL 50, IL was strange Inconsistency for him to
say that the project, which he condemned a.
dangerous TO the best interests Of Minnesota,
should be to his best Interests. such indiffer.
eace to one own interest was not often me,
with. He was advoc ating the measure, not
only for his own interest. but because he be.
| lieved II was for the interest Of the people of
I Minnesota. lie came oat, on Friday night, ex.
peciing not only to hear arguments in opposi-
ton 70 the measure, but he also expected 10
hour some plan proposed 70 meet the emergen.
| cy. No such plan was suggested. Gov. Cor.
! man proposed that We should wait for some
thing TO turn up. Twas not eonirnendable for
men 10 endeayor 10 tear down what other.
we're erecting. and 20 seek evil when Others
found good. without proposing some better
plan fer what was proposed TO be DESTROYED
/ The opposition 10 this me asare had endeay ore 4
20 break down by railing at H..
There was no denying the necessity 81 adopt
ing some means " asvslope the resources o'
Minnesota. Good citizens sso aid sdvoc ate and
adopt means Of welfare 20 all.
Although. representing The Affirmative 10 thj,
question, II was his duty 20 argus 10 the nega
tive, or against the argsmsnts and propositions
advanced on Friday. He would hrs, proceed
TO examine the position OF Cos. Corman. Ia
earnestness sHd eioguence gAse il more import
snee than II deserved. its Arguments ve,. 80
physical and unsouad. The nr.s position a.
ssfoet by HIM. that the population OF MiaBe
sofa being only LS90oD the liability wsaid b.
much greater than IN other states hat had "a
cared public dsbts. n the statistic. pressn:e
By Gov. Gorman, he had taken 0ecas'on 70 n
ANNE them. and found them unfortunate for Il