The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-04
Minnesota Legislature.

lRsposea Expressly for The Pioneer art Demo raj
SENATE
WEDNESDAY, Jan. -.
Senate met and was called to order BY
Mr.. COWAN.
Prayer by the Chaplain.
Mr.. ADAMS gave notice Of intention 10
introduce . certain bill.
Mr.. VAN ErTEN offered the following
resolution
R.soirtd, That the Sergeant at Arms be au.
thorized and requested TO procure suitable seats
and have them placed in the lobby. Adopted.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Mr.. NORTON-A bill extending
the time for the collection OF taxes in th1
city Of Winona.
Several House and Senate bills were then
read second time by their titles.
On motion of Mr.. VAN ETTEN, the
Senate resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole. for the consideration OF u joint re-
solution, declaring the land grant made by
the Special Session OF the Territorial Legis-
lature to certain railroad companies TO be
illegal. unconstitutional and void.
Mr.. BATES moved TO amend the resolu-
ton by striking out all after the first
Whereas"
Mr.. STREETER said he would not feel
worthy Of the position he occupied upon this
floor, did he not rise and give his support to
the resolution introduced by himself, and
now under consideration. Mr.. s. read from
a speech Of STEPHEN. A. DouGLAs, and
claimed that Territory possessed no power
except that which had been delegated TO her
in the organic act, framed for her govern
ment. The Constitution provides that Con.
gress has the power to make all ncedful rules
and regulations for the government Of the
Territories. In Section 2 OF the Organic
and there was nothing contained in that act
giving the Legislature or Governor the
power to call an extra session, but if the
power was possessed it had never been eX-
ercised and the Legislature had provided for
holding nothing but regular sessions. There
had been no provision made by Congress for
defraying the expenses of the extra session;
nothing had been gained by the holding Of
their session, and the grant made by Con.
gress should never have been given to rail
road companies. lie claimed that the Ter.
ritorial Law was in direct conflict with the
law Of Congress, because there WAS nothing
in the Territorial law making il obligatory
upon the companies receiving the grant, to
complete one mile of either of the proposed
railroads. The act provides that as soon
as the road may be located, the title TO 20
sections OF land may be sold to the State
lie argued the matter at length, and c lined
that Congress had made no gift to the people
Of Minnesota, and If we had adhered 10 the
law Of Congress, the land would never have
been transferred into the hands Of compa-
mics, but should have remained in possession
of the Territory or State Of Minnesota.
Mr. BATES withdrew his amendment
and Mr.. VAN ETTEN submitted nun
Der OF amendments to the resolution. pend
ing the consideration Of which. the commit
tee rose, reported progress, and asked leave
to sit again.
The consideration OF the special order Of
the day-the Homestead bill--was then re-
sumed in Committee Of the Whole. Mr. No
kuNE in the Chair.
Mr. LINDSEY offered u substitute for
section Of the bill which was adopted by
vote Of ayes !, nays :.
Alter lengthy discussion, in which the
arguments us d were similar 10 those used
yesterday, the committee rose, reported pro
yress on the bill. and asked leave to sit
again.
The report was accepted, and the bill
made the special order for tomorrow, at ! |
O'Clock.
The Senate then adjourned