The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-02-13

BY Mr.. MURPHY: TO provide for thu
appointment Of Private Secretary, and t.
fix bis compensation.
SECOND READING OF BILLS.
Senate memorial for daily mail from Pres
colt, Wis, to Taylor's Falls.
Also, memorial for an appropriation to pay
Orrin w. Rice the amount expended by hin
in making road from Twin Lakes to Kettle
River
Senate bill, to exempt certain property
from execution.
Joint resolution providing for committee
to procure plats and field notes of Schoo
Lands.
To vacate certain lots in the town Of Nortl
Zulnbrota.
To establish the rate of interest in this
State. Referred to select committee com
posed of Messrs. Tattersall, Atkinson ano
NJ. Thompson.
To authorize the Regents Of the Univer
sity OF Minnesota to borrow money.
THIRD READING.
Senate bill to incorporate the Town O
Nininger City. Passed ayes "A, nays l.
To grant the right to Benjamin Van Cam
pun to maintain a ferry across the Cannon
River. Passed-ayes Al, nays 10.
Joint resolution relative to Swamp Lands
Passed--ayes 81.
HOMESTEAD BILL.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole, Mr.. PIERCE in the Chair, for the con-
sideration of the Senate file of bills.
The bill to exempt certain property from
execution being under consideration,
Mr. GIBSON moved to amend section l
SO as to limit the value of the homested ex-
emption to $4,000. Lost
Mr.. BEARCE moved to limit it to five
thousand dollars.
Mr.. BALCOMBE argued in favor of es-
tabslihing some limit to the amount of the
Homestead exemption, and it mattered not
to him personally whether that limit was
$4,000, $4,000, or $4,000. There was a
limitation in all the acts ON the subject pass
ed in the different States except one, and he
contended if such limitation was not fixed,
the law would be subject to such abuses that
future Legislatures would repeal the bill.
The friends of a Homestead bill always
killed the bill with kindness-they exempted
so much as to render the bill liable to defeat,
and if passed, of more than doubtful expe-
.1iency.
Mr.. RUTAN opposed the idea of setting
a value on the Homestead. When limita-
ton was made, the act ceased to be Home
stead act-it was mere exemption act. He
argued this point at some length. As for the
act being partial, it could not be helped-no
law could be made but what would be partial
in some of it's operations.
Mr.. II. A. THOMPSON also spoke to the
same effect. If limitation was to be fixed
he would never consent to have limitation
less THAI 81 100000, so as to prevent any
any possible chance of q Homestead from
being taken from the family.
Mr.,TATTERSALL was for exempting a
certain area without any reference to the val
ue which it was supposed it was worth. He
did not consider it bill for rascals to take
advantage Of
Mr.. KEITH considered that this and some
other bills which had been introduced here
would have similar tendency-to impair our
public credit. This bill was for the protec-
ton of r,>gues and rascals. No honest man
from five thousand dollars upwards, to be ex-
empt from seizure by creditors.
Mr.. OTIS said when this question was
first discussed he was favorableato limta-
ton in value, but he had changed his opinion
and was in favor of the free exemption of the
homestead. He would limit it only in area,
not in price. This he considered the true
purpose of Homestead Act
Further debate was had by the same gen.
tlenen, when the Committee rose and asked
leave to sit again.
The House then adjourned.