The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-08

its officers, that there was an imperfect cen
sus taken. The census returned in time
probably did not show more than one hum
dred and forty thousand Inhabitants but
they propose to show, by other evidence,
aitunde, that the population docs in truth
reach two hundred thousand, or two bun
bred and fifty thousand. TIE arrangement
for taking the census was Inadequate. there
being no provision made for payment for it;
and In one case the returns ihow only fifty
inhabitants in district where three hundred
votes were actually polled. This Is an Illus
tration showing the imperieaon Of the CEN
SUE. Now, propose that this section be
stricken out, 80 that the law Of the land gov
erning the case being embraced in the en-
aiding act, the House Of Representatives
may determine for themselves whether Min
ncsota il entitled 10 one, two or three Rep
rescn,atiye5 under that act. ! do not see
any necessity for this section. II cannot
alter the rights Of anybody.
Mr.. C0lamer. The honorable Senator
was not present yesterday when | explained
why this section was inserted in the bill
On the first view Of the question, thought,
az the Senator now suggests, that we need
not say anything about the representation A.,
and that by 80 doing we should leave i, to
be settled by the House Of Representatives,
under the enabling act but inasmuch as
after the passage OF the enabling act, the
convention which formed the constitution
had put in il provision that there should
be three Representatives in the other House,
the opinion was entertained that il we al.
mittod them, without any exclusion or con
clusion to the contrary, we admitted them
with their constitution, and gave them three
members This section was Inserted with a
view 10 rebut any presumption Of that kind,
and 10 leave IL as the original act did. This
section is in the very words OF the enabling
act.
Mr.. Toombs Then think | can make
proposition on which shall agree with my
honorable friend from Vermont. attach not
the slightest Importance TO that clause in
the constitution Of Minnesota, on a subject
over which they have not the least control
1t is mere nullity. They cannot fix their
representation in the Congress Of the United
States.
Mr.. Colamcr The gentleman does not
understand me. We supposed that il they
put il into their Constitution, and we &C
cepted them with that Constitution, we
should thereby agree that they should have
three members, unless we inserted soEe pro.
vision excluding that conclusion.
Mr.. Toombs understand the Senator,
..l 4 all al ht,,. hon,
Though | talk pretty fast It seems his ideas
run ahead of me. propose to exclude any
such conclusion, by inserting q provision,
that nothirg in this act shall be construed
10 cntitle Minnesota to three members. ac-
cording to her Constitution. That is a mat
ter over which Congress has control. The
constitution was curious place in which to
insert any such provision. II does not CON
Germ any Of her domestic institutions Her
relations to this government are fixed by
another standard. II she had elected three
hundred instead of three persons, as repre-.
sentativcs, that could not have altered our
rights. Nor do think that il We admit
her simply on the basis that she has complied
with the enabling act, and that her constitu-
ton Is republican. II can be construed into
al assent by Congress to this provision OF
her constitution. To exclude any such con-
cuson. however, l propose, if we strike out
this section, to move the insertion Of pro-
vision declaring that we do not affirm her
right TO three members.
MIR. Collamcr. Does this section do any.
thing more than the gentleman now states
Mr.. Toombs. | think not. Ii says she
shall be entitled TO one member, and such
additional members rs her population may
show her TO be entitled 10. / want the
House Of Representatives to settle the ques-
ton OF its own members under that enabling
act, and say whether she is entitled to one
two, or three. To accomplish the object
which have indicated. give notice, that
il the pending amendment be voted down, a.
hope it will be, and then the section be
stricken out, shall move to insert clause
providing that nothing in this act of admis
sion shall be construed TO entitle her TO the
three members claimed in her constitution
Mr.. Bigler | concur mainly in what has
been said by the Senator from Georgia on
the main question. do not propose to dis
GUS il, except to say that think the vote
cas-, is perhaps the best data We have rs to
the population. That understand, was
about forty thousand which, on moderate
calculation, would give population of two
hundred thousand. or two hundred and TWEEN.
ty thousand think, on that calculation,
il would b. illiberal il Hot unjust, to contne
Minnesota to single Representative. My
object in rising is to explain the vote which
am about 10 give. The effect Of the prop
osition OF the senator from Virginia will
be- to coniinc the representation to a single
member That | am not willing to agree
to bu, voted yesterday against the mo.
/ ton to strike out one AMI insert " two. s.
did that with the intention OF voting for
, the motion Of the Senator from Illinois to
strike on, the whole section, thus leaving
the question to the House OF Representa-
I ,ives. 1t seems TO me to be eminently prop
er that the House of Representatives should
say whether Minnesota shall have one. two,
or thrcc members. | desire 10 say, there