The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-02
NEW SERIES-NO. 2O6

the laws of the mining district where the
property in litigation is situated.
As general law for the regulation of
miners interests that would operate equally
on all, would recommend the action of
"forciole entry and detainer," as being
remedy generally understood by the lawyers
of the country. ..-
By article 9th, section 4th of the organic
act it will be found to be your duty to di.
vide the Territory into three judicial dis
tricts, and assign the Judges to their
respective districts.
You will also find in art. 8, sec. l, of the
organic act, that you are required to provide
some manner of defraying the expenses of
the provisional government this perhaps is
the most difficult part of your labor. But
it is to be hoped that our citizens will recog-
nize the importance of some we'll regulated
government for the protection of our persons,
our families, and our property, and that
they will willingly support such an organiza-
ton. Therefore 1 would recommend to
your honorable bodies that a poll tax not
exceeding one dollar, to be collected between
the first day of June and the first day of
July next. Also small revenue might be
obtained from licenses granted to places of
amusements.
1t is very necessary you should provide
the Territory with strigent election law to
cover all cases of fraud. 1t will suffice for
me to call your attention to this point as
the history of our past elections already
show the want of such law.
At the election held on the oath of Octo.
ber, it will be seen that there were elected
Governor, Secretary, Attorney General,
Chief Justice, two Associate Justices
Marshal, an Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk
of the Supreme Court, and Superintendent
of Public Instruction. 1t will be your duty
to define more particularly and specifically
the powers and duties of some of these off,
GERS, while of others it will be necessary to
define the duties in full.
1t will devoIve upon you to organize the
Territory into counties, and locate their
county seats; in all cases observing the
convenience of the settlers.
All officers who may have either monies
or important trusts committed to their
charge, should, by statute, be required to
file with some officer specified, good and
sufficient bond, conditioned that they will
faithfully perform the duties of their Office
according to law.
As you have much labor before you at
the present session, would call your atten-
tion to the fact that it would be we'll to
avoid, as much as possible, special legisla-
ton but provide by general laws for the
incorporation of all bodies, whether corpo-
rations for pecuniary profit or Municipal
Governments.
The evil of too much special legislation
is one which Western legislators are very
prone to run into, thereby neglecting very
important laws of general character;
when once the door is thrown open to the
abuse of legislatorial power, it is vel y diff.
cult to check it. 1t is therefore hoped, that
your course on this subject will be con-
servative one. i
You will at all times recognize the con-
stitutional authority and power of the
United States Government over US. The
right of petitioning and memorializing Con-
gress is undisputaby yours here. as in any
other portion of the Union.
To the General Government we are re-
quired to look for the extinguishment of
the Indian title to the lands of this Terri
tory, for the establishment of mails and
mail routes to the principal and important
towns of the Territory, with such branches
as the population of the country may de-
mand. Also for the construction of militia.
ry roads and bridges, and for the establish.
ment of sufficient number of forts and
magazines, at such places as will afford the
greatest protection to our citizens.
Many other subjects of important and
legitimate legislation will, from time to
time, arise during your session, which it is
impossible at this time to foresee you are
aware that the wants of our citizens demand
an immediate action on your part for the
adoption OF a systematized code of laws.
Thousands of our citizens have returned
to their homes in the States for the purpose
of returning with their families and friends
early next spring, and great necessity for
some definite rule of law in this Territory is
admitted by all to exist at this time then
how much NOR so will it be needed during
the coming spring and summer, when our
population will probably be swelled to one
hundred thousand, all eager to push their
fortunes in any avocation that promises the
greatest remuneration.
Let us, then, enter upon our duties with
a determination of spirit that conquers all
difficulties; working for the benefit of the
whole commonwealth, encouraging modera-
ton and conservation 10 all our acts, that
we may never be ashamed of having taken
an humble part in the organization of a
Provisional Government for the Territory
of Jefferson.
R. W. STEELE, Governor.
DENVER, November Z, 1859.
EVERY girl who intends to qualify for