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

are worn ont my system Is exhausted aud
all can do is TO present this simple point
first, that the census returns, the evidence
shows we're imperfect, and the marshals were
not able TO take il: some Of them, in con
scquence Of the inadiquacy Of the pay, burnt
up the census returns after they had taken
them.
Mr.. Green. know they all said il was
80 inadequate that they could not afford to
travel over large extent u country for the
lew cents Of compensation provided. We
do know. however, that certain number Oi
votes were east and we know that the ay-
erape ofpopulation TO the votes returned Is
about six TO one, aud that will give us over
two hundred and forty thousand inhabitants.
On that feel justified in acting iuasfnuch as
am not bound by the prior action.
Mr. Slidell. 1t is very evident that we
cannot dispose Of this bill to-day. There are
various executive messages that ought TO be
considered, and ! move now that the Senate
proceed to the consideration Of executive
business.
The motion was agreed to, and the Senate
proceeded 10 the consideration of executive
business.
The following proceedings transpired in
the Senate, on March 2G:
The Senate in Committee Of the Whole,
resumed the consideration Of the bill q. No.
sG) to admit the State Of Minnesota into
the Union. Yesterday Mr.. Douglas moved
10 strike out the second section Of the bill,
which is in the following words:
"Src. 2. And be II further enacted, That
said State shall be entitled 10 one Representa-
tive. and such additional Representatives In Con.
gre.s, an the population OF the State, shall, ac-
cordiDg to the census authorized by the act ap.
proved February 20, 1855. shall show II to be
entitled 10 according to the present ratio Of
representation, and no more"
Mr. Mason moved 10 amend the section
by striking out all after the word Repre-
sentative" and inserting in the Congress
OF the United States" 40 a. to make the
section read; THAT said State shall be en-
titled 10 one Representative in the Congress
Of the United States" The first question Is
on Mr.. Masons amendment.
Mr. Mason called for the yeas and nays,
and they were ordered.
Mr.. DO0little. do not desire TO dctain
the Senate by speaking at all at length, but
have word TO say on this question. The
Minnesota enabling act contains the very
language which IN contained in the second
section Of this bill:
"And the said State shall be entitled 10 one
Representative, and such additional Representa-.
tive, ~ the population Of the state, shall &C
ooTding TO the census, show II would be entitled
to according to the present ratio Of repressn
tation."
This is the precise language contained in
the present bill Tor the admission Of Mime
sofa into the Union. They have complied
with the provisions Of the enabling act in
this respect, and the bill now follows the
language OF the enabling act and it seems
TO the but Just to the State Of Minnesota
that shc should have her Representatives nc.
cordiDg to her population. 1t would not be
just 10 allow her but one Representative, il
she has in fact. u population Of two hundred
and forty thousand as is contended by tho
honorable Senator from Missouri. Mr..
Green.
beg leave 10 state that there was other
evidence, M understand, before the con-
yention In Minnesota, at the time the NUN
bu OF Representatives was fixed--proofs of
the amount Of population derived from the
kind Of census taken by the assessors of
Minncsota--showing that she had sufficient
population for three members. Atall events,
this section leaves the question to the House
OF Representatives, where it properly be-
longs. They are entitled to one Represent
alive, at all events and when the question
Of admission comes up in the House Of Rep
rscntatives, that House will determine
whether there is more than one Representa-
tive entitled To admission and they will pass
on tho fact. On the section rs II stands,
they are entitled to one Representative. at
all events and then If the House of Rep
rcscntatives shall be satisfied that their pop
ulation entities them to more, they will ad-
NIT more to their seats otherwise, they will
not. Now, It is unjust that they should bo
restricted to one member at the present time
II is known that the State Of MINNESOTA is
becoming populous very fast. The State of
Wisconsin, to-day, has a population of Sc
ven hundred thousand. and we have but
three Representatives in the other branch.
Minnesota has a population. undoubtedly,
Of two hundred thousand, according to the
best evidence; and by many, il is believed
10 reach two hundred and fifty thousand
II would be unjust Ia coutine them to one
Representative; but this section ~ il is.
leaves the matter TO the House of Repre-
sentativcs. lprefcr, altogether, tina, that
section should stand as il is proposed by the
committee.
Mr.. Toombs In order 10 attain the ob.
iect which have in view, do not know but
tina, i, may bc be necessary 10 strike out
the whole section. quite agree with the
Senator from Wisconsin, that Ia strike out
the latter clause and leave Minnesota with
but one Representative. is wrong As he
properly states this section is in the iden-
iical language OF ,hc enabling act. and itmay
be that il would be improper 10 change il
but prefer TO strike II out entirely, because
the enabling act is the law governing the
case now. and II VIZ strike GU, this provi-
sion. WE shall leave the House Of RepnSn.