The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-08-12
The People versus Rail Roads

from The Msdlprd Steele Coz Argus
A little more than year ago the people
OF this state, impressed with the neceuau O
% speedy construction of Rail Roads through
our midst, connecting us commercially with
the rest Of the world, as the only mode O
niiixlng true value TO our possessions, O.
developing our abundant resources, marched
enthusiastically to the polls and cast an
immense majority Of yeas for the Loan
.inendmeni.
This was done subsequent to all legisla-
ton IN favor of the Rail Reads, cbartering
companies, bestowng land grants &c. fol
which we now hear such doleiul howls) it
was done after all the evidences of corrup-
ton on the part OF the Rail Road compa.
MES, forty thieves" Territorial legilators
Nc., had been collected and presented to
these samc voters by those sharp. scented in.
deiatigablc, anti.l.oan men, many of whom
are now pumiDg themselves with such Qux.
otto airs
All the trickery connected with the whole
itail Road scheme was fresh in the mind of
the people. and yet they voted to endorse the
four Land Grant Companies to the tune Of
i've misunderstanding that when the com.
panes had graded any ten miles OF road.
they were by our State Constitution entitled
to 100000 OF State Bonds, and had legal
right to gamble Herewith, or dispose Of
them according To their pleasure knowing
that II these companies failed 10 pay the
interest accruIng on these Bonds On
Boad' we must pay it ourselves or become
diShonorcd knowing that these companies,
moved by inclination or driven by necessity
might at any stage OF the work abandon the
enterprise and forfeit to the State and that
our only remedy was upon the mortgages
against them, aud yet knowing all this
seeing all this omprehending all the
facts to their fullest extent, VIC deliberately
AMI with our own RICH, hand scaled the
compact which entrusted to these companies
this loan.
And now what scene presents itself
This man for entire reputation that Tor
partial reputation another for certain con.
dItIons precedent to the performance OF our
solemn contract. Can We have SO suddenly
become dishonest! Here Is the proof
The 9th resolution passed 10y the Rcpub.
lcan Convention nt Steele county on the
18th inst, read ~ follows
9TH That We are opposed to making any
farther arrangements, by legislation or IN
any other manner, AZ State, for the paw
m'nt OF either interest or principal OF the
state Loan Rail Road Bouds that are al.
ready passed over TO the Companies, until
default has been made, and all securities of
said Companies be- forfeited to the State
and that We are determined to use every IF.
tort to place such men in nomination as will
carry out our views on thu, subject. Be
hoyiug that provisions for tax To- meet the
interest on The State Loan Rail Road
Bonds, previous 10 a Forfeiture, will be detr-
mental t. the interests Of Minnesota. a. well
"a opposed 10 good policy therefore We Ut.
heS',aiingy enter our unqualified condemna
tion OF taxation Tor any such purpose.
Now what Is meant by this resolution
1t says ,ha, We will no, pay the interest or
principal Of the Bonds until the comma.
MES have forfeited all their securities 70 The
state That although VIZ solemuv agreed
to loan our bonds 20 the company. and pay
the ln,,res, accruing il the COMPANIES could
not. and tina, thus encouraged the NJ. 4 G.
' u X Company alone have expended
over 100000 on their road, ami although
by our own acts VIZ have reuder,d and are
continuing 10 render vaatess the bonds
'has loaned them, 81 that there Is a prospect
that AT some time or other they may not he
able 10 pay the accruing interest, We, We ssc
now al opportunity 10 crush these terrible
COMPANIES, and not even our honor shall bin.
her ne from embracing Il.
Ba, while the Republicans Of Steele
county are thus exercising tbcmsei WIS gra.
tul,ogsly and plciging ,hem~lvs NJ, to
iulhl their obligations until the COMPANIES
default, Rle and Olms,ej COUNTIES have
ia.en anotb,r tack more ridiculous still. ani
none the kss knA,,sS, viz, tina, they Will
never pay the principal or the in,.r-, II the
state ROnds until the COMPANIES have
faithfully eomploi 9th tn condition. Of