The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-10

Congressional Elsetss~ this yaII.
The M,nnesotnn Of Wednesday. seems sp-
prehsnsivs that there will be IN extra ses.
sion Of Congress this summer, and in that
case, that Minnesota will be unrepnesented
10 either branch, save by Senator RICE
The blame for this state Of affairs, Our con.
temporary says, is attributable to'Goverpor
SIBLEY, who refused TO approve Of an cleo
ton law passed at the close Of the last
session Of the Legislature, which provided
for the choice Of members Of Congress at
the election held in October last.
1t Is true that at the close Of the session,
q law passed both branches Of the Iegisls
ture, entitled " An Act regulating general
elections, and prescribing the duties Of off
GERS In relation thereto :" and that under
this law, elections could have been held last
October for Representatives in Congress.
But il 10 equally true that this law was
plainly unconstitutional, and that it was the
sworn duty of the Governor 10 withhold from
it bis Official signature. IL be had signed it
be would have rendered himself liable 10 the
disgrace and penalties attached to an open
and wanton violation Of the organic law of
the State.
10 August last, in reviewing, in our
columns, the vigilant guard which Governor
SIBLEY exerted over the legislation Of the
State, we instanced his numerous, we'll
founded and judicious exercises OF the veto
power. In that article we find the iol.
lowing reasons for Withholding from the
election law bis approval, a. quoted from the
records Of the Executive Department Of the
| State
AUGUST l6.--I withhold my spprovAlfrom an
"Aet regulating general elections and pre-.
scribng the duties Of officers In relation there.
TO-, for the reason that section IS 10 unconstita.
tiouAl. It pressribss that in case Of tic In
the number Of votes cast for executive officers,
the tws Houses shall forthwith proceed to elect
received said tie vote. The Constitution con-
tsins no provision for transferring the right Of
suffrage from the people to the Legislature, but
| says expressly that the executive officers re.
fsrrcd to shall be chosen by the electors Of
tho State" shall leave that right Of suffrage
where the Constitution leaves it-with the
electors Of the State. Another objection Is in
section 10. II gives the judges of election the
right to reject votss even when sworn In, II il
shall be proved to the satisfaction Of . major
ity Of the judges, that the person offering to
vote in not . qualified elector. Such arbitrary
power would afford great temptation to abuse,
in the hands Of INSCRIPTIONS men, and should
net be conferred. Sufficient protection Ia now
| provided by law, in tho right Of challenge.
II the challenged party swear falsely, he may
be punished for perjury.
(Slgned. i n. II. sIBLEY.
Gov SIHLEY's reasons for not signing the
bill are ample. II he had done no, he would
have rendered himself liable to just condem-
nation for failing to vindicate the binding
authority Of Constitutional provisions.
The M,nnssot.an, need entertain no fears
Of Minnesota not being represented either at
the specia III one is called) or regular SEES
sion Of Congress. We presume oil parties
will acqaiesce in an election called BY the
Governor TO I'll vacancies and il it becomes
necessary, such an election will be called.
The Democracy are eager for contest with
the repudiatonists, niger wershippers,
know nothings, and all other phases Of the
opposition. We trust the old school gen.
tleman." Of Battle Greek notoriety, who is
50 anxious to ventilate his Congressional as
p,ratious. will keep cool. He will have am.
Pile opportunities of aseertaining whether the
people entertain as good an opinion of him
a. be does himself