The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-03-20

| SENATE CnAAsr1s St; ;Se' Spesui'
March Is, 1905
| To the Xdisors Of tie Nianssotidn:
GENTLEMEN IL find in the Daily Times OF
March 18th, the following paragraph:
ave learn that Mr. Souers, Senator from Dodge covn-
ty has returned from short visit among ms consttu
ents and that he reports them as In fsvor Of tne
900 Loan ...-s
To all of which reply, that the statement
that I have reported the People of Dodge
Comfy as in favor Of the $4,000, 900 Loan,
is not true.
The people of that county, would, in oil
probability, at first have favored the Loan Of
credit to the Railroad Companies, to small
amount provided always, the State was made
thoroughly secure against ever being compell-
ed to pay either interest or principal on the
Bonds; while by stringent penalties, the
speedy completion of the Roads should at the
same time be secured. ........
But, know, that they were strongly oppos-
ed to the bill introduced by the Special Com
mittee in the Senate and think will not be
any better satisfied with the bill as it has
been finally passed by the Legislature.
They will deem, as l do, that the whole
bill is too much like the name of their own
county, both as to securing the people from
taxation, and also as to compelling the COM
panies to build their roads in any less time
than they would without this aid from the
State, for it to receive their sanction at the
ballot-box.
From careful examination of the provis-
| ions of the bill, since my return from home,
l should certainly have cast my vote against
it in the Senate had been present when it
was adopted; and 1 greatly deplore its pas
sage, as the worst blow yet aimed against
the future prosperity of Minnesota.
Let every man place himself in the situa.
ZION of an intelligent man, liveing in the East,
who designs emigratlng to the West. Would
you emigrate to new country, where you
beheld animmense State debt, and consequent
| taxation, staring you in the face, with only
a few isolated pieces OF Railroad embankments
or grades as compensation for the burden
afIording no continuous line-no outlet to
market?
l think you would not and we may de-
pend that the Illinois Central Railroad, and
the Wisconsin and Iowa Railroad Companies,
will not be backward in booking emigrauts up,
about the State Debt of Minnesota-and the
bg Taxes of MinresOta-and pointing them
instead to their own States, as States posses.
sing Railroads plenty, but neither taxes nor
State debts incurred to build them while
the friends of Kansas will not be backward
either in ringing the advantages Of that Ter
ritory in the ears Of the emierant. and urging
upon his consideration the immunity of Kan
sas from debt aid taxes.
think everything has hidden fair for our
having large immigration this year.
The almost closing the land-offices last sea
son to allow these Railroad Companies a
chance to locate their r. ads and pick out their
lands, broke down our immigration during
the summer of 1857 but the financial crisis
and hard times east, will now send crowds
westward in search of homes, and am con-
vince6 Minnesota will obtain large portion
of this crowd prooided we do not now kick
over our pail of milk by a popular endorse
nient of this, prcject-which might be prop
crly called "A Bill for the Creation of Great
Public DEBIT Tax the People-to Pre-
vent Immigration-and to Reward Railroad
Corporations for Polluting the Fountains of
! Public Legislation!
Such are my sentiments, and such believe
: to be the sentiments of the people of Dodge
. County, and indeed Of the whole of South
western Minnesota, as fas as my knowledge
extends.
That portion Of Minnesota is filled with a
permanent business and Farming community.
The mere spectators and transient persons
are but few and the People will be apt to
oppose in mass, proposition like this
which seeks at the expense of the taxpayers,
for long period of time, and for the benefit
Of the few, to make temporary initiation
and even that few l think will be mistaken
in its effects and size of the bubble.
The intelligence and industry-the real
hard work-of people, are the true founda-
tions of States real prosperity and not
speculation running wildly in debt, and drag
gng along miserable existence for gener-
alton afterwards in the vain endeavor to re-
trieve the errors Of previous extravaganza
and imprudence.
Yours, Truly,
! E. w. SOMERS,
Member of the State Senate, from