The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-04-10


attempting to crowd legislation beyond its
legitimate channel, As they did then, SO
are they doing now-in inducing the Legisla-
lure to enact laws in anticipation of the
adoption of clause of the Constitution to
authorise it. As they then committed a
crime to attain their ends, so are they now
committing crimes for like purpose! 1t is
notorious that bribery was committed at the
Egtra Session to obtain these grants. 1t is
believed by two thirds of the people, that
no less criminal appliances have been used at
the late Session-indeed, it is a fact that
members of the Legislature were in the pay
Of one or more of the R. r. Companies.
The commission of crime lost US our first
Railroad Grant. This is matter of history
and the proofs are laid away in the archives
Of the Government! Men qoho wiW commit
crims, today aoill not hesitate to do the same
thing Tomorrow!
Then we ask the people of Minnesota-the
friends of the State-those who feel solicit
ude for her welfare and her glory-with the
imputations resting upon men connected with,
and who exert a controlling influence in
these Railroad enterprises, and after the re-
fusal of the Investigation Committee to exam
ine witnesses who were in waiting in the
Committee Room,-are these the men to
whom we can safely confide the honor and
credit of the State?
This is serious question, and we sincere
ly hope that it will be seriously weighed and
answered by every citizen Of Minnesota
We have put this question in no light or tri-
vial mood. 1t is one of too much impor-
tance to be treated otherwise than seriously
Then we repeat it, are you willing, without
one farthing's real security, to entrust-not
merely Five Millions of dollars-but the faith
and credit of the State, to men, who public
rumor, trumpet tongued, declares to be guilty
of bribing a Legislature!
They ask you for loan of $4,000, 900.
For the payment of this sum, and $35O,OOO
year, interest, the faith and credit of the
State is pledged!
Yet they have entered into a solemn
league to pass no law to provide for this an
nual interest
Fellow-citizeDs Have you reflected upon
the consequences to the State and to your
selves, Of a failure to meet this $3.50, 900 on
the day it becomes due :?
Are you are of the consequences of the
failure of a business man to meet his paper
on the day it natures, in the great money
markets of the world. where this interest will
be payable !? Do you not know, that such a
failure is equivalent to bankruptcy! 1t is
and none the less SO, because the paper is
given for the accommodation of others. In
the monetary world-whether maker or en-
dorser-whether on his own account, or for
accommodation,-afa failure to pay when due,
is ruin to his credit-is mercantile death
and dishonor
These men tell you, however, that if they
do not pay, the Governor can sell their bonds
This is their continual song-their harp of a
thousand strings But this remedy comes
too late 1t is only available after the name
and credit of the State have been disgraced
and INSTRUMENTATION the stain of repudiatios
has blurred our escutcheon!
But, if we sell the bonds to pay the inter-
est this year, what are we to do for the next,
ond for tho v,rinciool Thoro 10 hut ono ro
source? The taxation of the people! Soon
er or later it must come to this ! If the loan
is made,-for the credit and honor of the
State, the sooner the tax is provided for the
better? But before you bring upon you
this burden be advised by us-refect! |!
The New York Tribune out Against
the Loan, and COntradicting the Ad-
dress of the Sixty LegfslatOrs who