Weekly Minnesotian and times., 1859-12-24
Reported for the Minnesotian and Times.
Minnesota Legislature.
SECOND SESSION.

SECOND SESSION.
THURSDAY, Dec. %, 80.
SENATE.-Opened with prayer by the
Rev. J. d. Pope, of the Baptist Church.
RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr.. HEATON-That in addition to
the information given in the Report recently
made to the Legislature by the Secretary OF
said Board of Regents, (Judge Atwater) the
said secretary is also hereby required, at the
earliest moment, to report to this body, more
particular statement as to the settlement with
the contractors who erected the University
building-hOw many notes were given to said
contractOrS-the date and amount of each
the names of the persons signing said notes :;
also, a statement of the negotiation of the
bonds first issued under the act of February
21 1856,when they were disposed of and how
much was realized thereon, and h0o and in
sohat manner the proceeds were applied -
also, more full and particular state
ment and sale of the SIC, 900 of bonds is
sued under the act of March 9th, 1853
the date when such negotiation and sale was
made-what member or members of said Re-
gents negotiated and made such sale, and
in what currency was the amount on the
sale of said bonds realized whether there
was any arrangement that said bonds should
be used for banking purposes, and if SO, by
whom, to what extent, and by what author
ity; also, a,more full and particular state
ment of the opposition and outlay, after
the number of the notes due the University,
and from whom they are all due, and for what
they are given, and other matters and things
tending to give a full aud satisfactory ex-
hibit OF the pecuniary condition of said insti-
tuition
MIR. HALL moved to strike out from
the resolution the words, whether there was
any arrangement that said bonds should be
used for banking purposes, and if so by
whom, to what extent, and by what authori-
ty."
He (Mr. HalD did not wish the Senate to call
for information which was private matter,
and with which the Regents had nothing to do.
He did not want the Senate placed in false
position by asking for information which
might not be furnished.
Mr.. HEATON thought the Senator (Mr.
HalD was mistaken as to the meaning and
scope of the law, in relation to the matter.
For one, he would like to know the reason and
cause, and in what manner it was brought
about that these bonds were used for bank
ing purposes. He thought it legitimate and
proper subject Of inquiry, and hoped no OBJ
struction would be placed in the way of the
passage of the resolution.
Mr.. STEVENS said the Regents had no
thing to do with the sale of these bonds
for banking purposes. They were sold in
New York, and the parties to whom they were
sold brought them here, and made them the
basis of banking under a decision of the At
torney General. The Regents were composed
Of men of both parties, who, he thought, had
endeavcred to work for the best interests of
the State.
Mr.. ROBINSON wanted to know all about
The matter-the people wanted more light
If there had been any trucking or skulldug-
gerry in the management of the affairs of the
University, he wanted it probed to the bot
tom. There was evidently corruption some
where. How these bonds came to be used for
banking purposes, by which use the people
had been swindled, he did not know-nobody
seemed to know. 1t was time to investigate
whom the responsibility rests. He was in ia
vor of making a thorough and rigid investiga-
ton into all matters where there was the least
nkling of rascality, and show up all actors
who may have participated in any schemes of
plunder. He would not stop to ask whether
t came from the Democratic or Republican
side; whether it was in relation to railroad mat
sers, banking affairs, or the disposition of
property connected with the University.
Corruption had been paramount in this State
or years past, and it was SINE that bitter wa
.ers were turned into proper channel. If
hat part of the resolution, which it was pro-
posed to strike out, hit anybody in a tender
spot, he wanted the blow to descend with |
ull force, and produce its natural result. If
hat portion of the resolution was the lancet |
which was to cut fostering sore, let it re-
main in its present ant appropriate place to
10 the work, and if corruption existed under |
leath, let the lancet 60 to the core. 1t was
evident that inducements had been held out |
o Sewell, Ferris & Co., to purchase the bonds
If the University, and he wanted to know
what those inducements were. He did not |
mpugn the motives of the gentleman (Mr.
Stevens) who has just taken his seat. for he
believed him to be an honest man, and above
;onsenting to any fraudulent arrangement,
ither in the capacity of Regent of the Uni
7ersity, Or in any other position in which he
night be placed. Mr.. Robinson continued at |
ONE length, and when he sat down there
vas applause on the Republican side of the
House.
The vote was then taken on Mr. Halls |
notion to strike out. and the yeas and nays |
'eing called for and ordered, there were yeas
7, nays "a, as follows:
Yeas-Messrs. Andrews, Bryant, Clarke,
Jruttenden, Hall, Mackubin (excused),
Stevens and Taylor
Nays-Messrs. F. E. Baldwin, j. F. Bald
vim, Bartholomew, Cook, Cowan, Edgerton,
Evans, Galloway, Gluck, Heaton Hodges,
Kennedy, King, McLaren, Norris, O'Ferrall
Petit, Robinson, Rogers, Stannard, Stewart,
Watson, and Winn.
So the motion was lost.
Mr.. HEATON then moved the adoption of
he resolution, and it was unanimously
adopted.
MIR. HALL offered the following:
Resolced, That the Auditor of State be re-
luested to inform the Senate whether any au
Ihorlty was by him given to the Regents of
the University to enter into arrangements with
party or parties with whom the bonds of said
University should be negotiated; that the said
bonds would be received by the Auditor as
a basis of banking capital.
The same was unanimously adopted.
The concurrent Resolutions, in relation to
the emeute at Harper's Ferry, introduced by
r., -