The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-20

year Thereafter. Al their nfst session alter
each enumeration so made, and also at their
first session after each enumeration made by the
authority Of the United States, the Legislature
shall have the power to prescribe the bounds
of Congressional, Senatorial and Representa-
tive Districts. and TO apportion anew the Sena-
tors and representati,e IS among the several dis.
ricts. according TO the provisions Of Section
Second of this Article.
Then, in 1860, the period for taking the
United States census, at the furthest, it be-
comes the duty OF the Legislature OF Mime
sofa 10 make different apportionment Of
the Senators and Representatives of their
Legislature, and TO make their election ac-
cordingly
But another objection which the honor
able gentleman from Ohio urges against the
admission of Minnesota under this coustitu-
ton is. that the constitution allows unnatu.
rallied foreigners TO vote, which, he alleges,
conflicts with the spirit Of the Constitution
Of the United States, if it does not conflict
with the Constitution itself. Now sir, am
very much astonished that the gentleman
should have brought this forward as an OBJ
lection to the admission of Minnesota into
the Union as a State. viii the gentleman
from Ohio rise in his place and tell me that
the sovereign State of Ohio cannot, if she
pleases, permit unnaturalized foreigners TO
vote for members of her LEGISLATURE !
pause for reply. The gentleman DOES not
reply, and therefore conclude tina, he is not
anxious TO commit himself upon that propo-
sition. think the gentleman ought to com
nit himself upon that proposition before he
makes that AZ an objection TO the admission
Of another State.
MIR. SHERMAN, Of Ohio. Ohio never did
allow unnaturazcd foreigners to vote, and
never will
Mr.. JESEIys-Thc gentleman does no,
answer the question. He says Ohio has not
but he does not say she cannot il she sees
proper, admit whom she pleases TO vote. In
my own State we do not p rmit unnatural
lied foreigners to vote. No man is more
opposed to that than myself. If had been
citizen Of Minnesota or a member OF the
convention which framed her constitution,
should have opposed it TO the last. do
not believe that any unnaturalized foreigner
should he allowed to vote even for mem
her of the Legislature OF the various States
but that is matter resting with the indiv.
dual States themselves If the people Of
Ohio, or the people of Virginia choose to
permit unna,uralized foreigners to vote, they
may do so. If the people Of Minnesota
choose TO allow unnaturalzed foreigners to
vote they may do so. And we have no
right TO urge as an objection against
the admission OF Minnesota under her pre-
sent constitution, AN argument which we
would not apply 10 our own States.
But the gentleman from Ohio became
very humorous in that part of his speech,
and compared the admission Of Minnesota
to wedding. He says he does not like to
see our younger sister playing pranks in this
way. He wants to see her welded TO the
Union deccntly and respectfully. All have
TO say in regard to that is this that il the
gentleman wanted her to be welded decent.
" into the Union, he ought to have given
her decent license. refer to the enabling
act for Minnesota, which allows unnatural.
lied foreigners TO vote for members OF the
constitutional convention. And find that
the honorable gentleman himself voted for
that license. Here, then, is the very clerk
that issued the license Inder which Mime
sofa is TO be welded, who comes up ut the
eleventh hour and makes u c Of the imper.
lection Of that license as reason why she
ought To he kept out Of the Union.
] hold in my hand the enabling act under
which the members Of the convention were
elected, and find the name Of my honorable
friend from Ohio recorded in favor Of il.
When ! interrupted the gentleman in his
speech to ask him il he did not vote for it,
he could not scc the application Of the qucs
ton. hope he pcrceivcs the application Of
il by this time. Indeed, think before h.
completed his speech he began 10 conpre-
bend its application for h. endcayored to
break it, force and 10 account for his neon
sistency on that point by saying that it was
late in the session, and the bill was put
through under the previous question In
reply 10 that, sir, say that whether i was
put through under the previous question or
any other way, ain astonishcd that any
gentleman holding seat on this fioor AZ
Representative, would make that excuse for
voting for an act enabling the people OF
Territory 10 form constiiution, and thrn
come up here when the STATE, acting nndr
mat IbI FiNtF' aNhe W iE dnUnttfD iitD wv
Union, and pleads hs own wrong N "a rea.
son why she should not be admitted Sir.
if the gentleman had any speech to make
against permitting nnnaturalizcd foreigners
to vote. be should have made it then. That
was the time be should have urged this argu-
mcnt against admitting foreigners To vote.
! was not q member Of the House at that
time, but see by the record that If the pre-
yious question was seconded on that coca.
sion, the Republican party Is responsible
for il
Mr. SHERMAN, Of Ohio. | know that !,
AID good many others assisting me. trled
very hard To prevent the previous question
until We nigh, amend the bill.
Mr. JysKiSs have got the vote on or
derinz the main question and IND that a
large majority Of the Republican party was
10 ~ favor. Mr.. SPEAKER. that only shows
hov gentlemen Will resort To q subtriuge 10
accomplish their political purpDss. Here
Is a gentleman who opposss a state coming
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