The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-01-09

Having led the Democratic members of the
Legislature into taking a certaiu position to
accomplish temporary purpose, which posi-.
tion the leaders parfectly we'll knew, was a
false and untenable one, it would have been
too transparent dodge to ask their dupes to
suddenly abandon this position, and adjourn
over on account of the doubt resting upon
the ability of State Legislature to perfect
the passage of laws by the approval of the
Territorial Executive. They might have re-
torted upon their leaders, that if the Terrific
rial Governor was a good enough Governor
of the State to help complete laws to aid in
the election of United States Senators,
the same fanctionary could still contribute
his signature, with equal validity, to the pas
sage of other laws!
Though their premises were unquestiona-
ably bad to start with, this kind of logic
would have been good and so to save en-
countering the force of their unsophistcated
logic, the policy was hit upon by the lesders
in and out of the Legislature, of silently per-
mitting a quorum Of each house to kaue St..
Paul, and thus avoid Aauing the State troubled
aith doubtful and spurious code of lascs!
In this way, a0eeks will be undoubtedly frit-
tered qpaH with nothing done, nor designed
to be done, until Congress opens the door
for Minnesota, aud tells her to walk into the
Union.
In our opinion, however, it is better ulti-
mately for the people, to loose even the %
600 dollars that will be thus wasted in un-
profitable legislative expenses, than to incur
the disastrous consequences of legislation,
without constitutional Governor to give
force by his signature to laws which may be
enacted.
Yet this $4,000 dollars might just as we'll
have been saved as not, but for the Democratic
policy which compelled prematurely the choice
of United States Senator's at all hazards,
against the protest of the Republicans, and
in defiance of the provisions of the constitu-
tion !
In this same communication of "a Dem
ocrat at his Post" quoted before, we also find
the subjoined extract:
"That the legislative body is as good as
adjourned, we will admit but we question if
the Democrats are as mnch in fault in this
matter as the Republicans. By reference to
the journals, it can easily be ascertaned to
which party belongs the majority of the alb
sentees, and we challenge the Minnesetian to
count noses, and arrive at the truth"
The above demands but very brief reply.
There is no question whatever about the
Democrats being more in fault in the matter
that the Republicans. This said writer has
previously declared, that "the Democrats took
upon themselves the responsibility of keeping the
Legislative ball in motion" Being the ma
jority in both branches, they have undeniably
the power to keep it rolling. They could,
for in stance, easily have refused the permis-
sion asked for by members to absent them
selves; yet the record shows, that almost i'm
mediately after the Senatorial election, absen-
teeism aoas encouraged by the Democracy, and
leave of absence was readily granted by the
majority to whomsoever asked for it. Hav-
ing assumed "the responsibility" spoken Of
it is hardly fair to whine over the absence of
Republican members, when the Democrats
are in majority in both houses, and can
command quorum without the aid of any
Republicans at all /! Why don't the Demo-
Gratis live up to their own doctrine, if they
believe in it j.? 1t is not wonderful that the
Republicans should by their absence decline
participating in the manufacture ofwhat they
conscientiously think would be bogus laws.
They have declared, that having sworn to
support the Constitution, they were unaoilling
to violate its plainest provisions, as proposed
and already acted upon by the Democratic
majority. But, if that majority believe 9TH
erwise, as they say they do, the preponderat-
ing numbers to carry their belief into prac-
tice are theirs, and let the responsibility of
keeping the Legislative ball in notion" and
of keeping their own men up to the work, be,
under such circumstances, wholly theirs. 1t
is pitiful weakness for them to be imploring
the assistance Of Republicans conscientiously
opposed to the motion of the ball, in order to
supply the detection Of majority of their
own people who shrink from backing up in
practice what was convenient indisputable
theory with them-for purpose but lit
tie while since.
In conclusion we say, if REPUBLICANS are
absent from their seats, it is a justifable alb
sence because they have their publicly
avowed conscientious scruples against partic-
ipating in legislation at the present time, to
excuse them but if the DEMOCRATIC men,
bcrs are absent, we think we do them but
fair and impartial 'justice," in pronouncing
such absence a sHIRKING OF THE RESPONSE
BlLITIEs OF THEIR OWN POSITION, which they
have heretofore loudly claimed to be both a
rightful and an entirely expedient position
-Ah, mcssieurs Democrats, you will yet
acknowledge that you put the aforesaid ball
in motion quite too soon; and that you had
acted more wisely to have yielded to the ad-
vice of the Republicans, and so saved the tax
payers that $4,000, by an early adjournment
over for few months, when we could all
have started the Ship of State fairly on her
voyage, with surety of escaping the breakers
and storms now environing her! Mark the
prediction
A Struggle for Minnesota Predicted.
The Washington correspondent of the
| Chicago Tribune, under date of the 23d ult.,
speaking of the admission of our State saus