The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-31
Gbe GmiQraut Sin 9oatn1l,
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 81, 1858.


@VO0ee-O@Y 49,
M11D1o0 I0an D1ll.
Our Legislature adjourned over on the 25th ihst, q
the middle Of June. A large number of che member,
we're under apprehension that their legislation was lille.
gal until tho State Was admitted into the Unioa, and
catered : proteat to that effect in the journals. ~ !
consequence Of the anamolous position Of affairs exist.
ing, and unexpectedly prolonged BY the tardiasss ol
Congress 70 receive the ConaAisution, : degree u hssi'
tancy and apathy has prevailed in the deliberatioAs u
the Legisaturs, and but few important acts have been
sdoptcd, although a, large number !were discussed and
pat through various stages previous to adjournment.
One very important measure was brought to their at
t~ention, after being sometime before the public, and that
was in relation to the building Of the railroads for
which Congress had made . large donation Of public
land. 1t was almost universally conceded that they
would not be built for many years, probably not within
the stipulated time Of the charter Of the companiesA
ten years. A bill was therefore introduced to grant
aid by the State to expedite their constructions. AT
first the suggestion was coldly received BY the public /;
but began to gain support as the discussion we1t on,
the Legislature and outside-and is still vigorously car
ried on among the people, evidently to result with them
as it did with their Representatives, and IS deoisively.
As will be seen by the bill, the amount Of the loan
is five million dollars, and it is SO framed that the State
Is secured against loss as much as it was possible for the
Companies to secure any parties in borrowing che ne.
cessary capital to construct the road. It is only on the
monstrous superstition that there will be collision among
Ill the parties-includipg a large number Of the first
citizens of the State, the Governor and other eminent
odcials-and that open and palpable corruption will b.
permitted aud continued for a series Of years, that the
loan can be improperly applied Or squandered. The
spirit and letter Of the bill requires each road to have
. certain amount Of work executed that viii be al least
equal to the advance permitted thereon-one hundred
thousand dollars on each ten miles prepared for. the
superstructure, and double that amount when in running
order. This would seem ~efectual in securing the State
syainst loss, bnt IS additional guaranty it will hAve )
frst mortgage on the entire effects Of the..company in
Guiding their lands, with special provisions for holding
and ~disposing Of two hundred and forty sections, free
Of incumbrance, from each company, to meet any emer.
eency against loss when the payments Of interest are to
be made.
1t is m~anifestly an unjust charge to accuse over two
thirds Of the members Of each branch Of the Legisls
Of being actuated by fraudulent motives in enacting
law it is . measure that the people are to pass
upon, and if it should be carried and result adversely
to the interest Of the State, the responsibility win rest
directly on those who suffer, for it is impossible to be-
lieve that the loan will not be honorably and judiciously
applied in accordance with the provisions laid down IN
the bill.
After this was carried through, SO much Of the legis-
lation is to be affected hereafter, by its adoption or re-
lection BY the people that an adjournment was ordered.
Before they meet again the State viii undoubtedly be
into the Union, and freedom Of action and
dignity e Aeeiug win actuate Them = their p6slts6n
is Recognised and their Legislation acknowledged by our
sister States. a