Red Wing sentinel., 1859-05-07

The following correspondence, which we
clip from one Of eur Canadian exchanges,
contaiust in brief space, much useful in
formation in regard to various matters Of
interest to Minnesotians, and those propo-
sing to become such. oso .agy>
3,f1 a.a, From tho Ontario Times.
We fesl much pleasure in presenting To-
our readers tho followin, interesting letter
from valued correspondent, at Minnesota.
RED WING CORRESPONDENTS.
United States Presumption Law-Home-
stead Exemption Law OF fMinnesota--Right
OF Married Wonen-lnsolvent Debtor Act
The Observation-Disclosures, &c.
10 ths Editor Of the Ontario Times.
DsAH SlR:-1 am often in receipt Of lot
ters, Of inquiry from my old friends at
Whitby, in relation 10 the Pre-cmption
to the Homestead Laws ofthe State Of Min
nesota--l therefore request the privilege Of
answering tEem through the columns Of
your paper. ..-.s -t..4 49,.
In Minnesota no lands have been brought
into market, that is. offered at public sale,
after which they become subject to private
entry at the minimum Government price O:
one dollar and quarter an acre. And ex.
cept mineral aud Pine Lands, it has been
heretofore and still is the policy Of the Gov
ernment in regard to Minnesota, not to bring
them into market, on the ground that il
prevents their getting into the hands ofspe-
culators and promotes the settlement Of tho
country unoitered Land being subject to
entry only by pre- Exemption, which is the
great secret Of the rapid growth Of Mime
sofa.
Any person is entitled to settle upor un.
occupied Government Lands, and by filing
statement within three months aftcr such
settlement at the proper Land Office dec,ar-
ing his intention to pre- empt the same,
may at any time before the land is offered,
enter, not exceeding one hundred and sixty
acres in one body, at the minimum Govern
nent price. First proving by any disinter-
csted person Of lawful ags-the date Of set
tIenent--that the occupant has erected a
comfortable dwelling house thereon in which
he or she there resides he or she
is the head Of a family-,or if applicant is a
male and unmarried, that he is over twenty
one years ofage, and ifa female, that she is
widow, and that he or she is citizen of
the United States, or had declared his or
her intention to become such at the date Of
settlement. Applicant must also swear on
oath that he or she has not before pre-. empt-
cd and has not made any contract directly
or indirectly whereby any person is to have
any interest in the whole or any part Of said
land, and that applicant is not the owner of
three hundred and twenty acres Of land in
any State or Territory Of the United States
In no other State or Territory than Min
nesota has the policy prevailed Of keeping
the public lands out If market. In Kansas
and Nebraska all the surveyed lands are now
advertised for sale. In Oregon the actual
settler can pre-empt his claims not exceed
ing four hundred and eighty acres gratis.
T4is offers great inducements for the settle
ment of that State, but it is so far west and
rot yet to be available for that purpose.
-. 49, .--a EXEMPTION LAWS.
The exemption laws Of Minnesota exempts
eighty acres Of farming lands. or lot in
town ,ojttout regard to valus, SO long as the
same is occupied as homestead By the debt
Or, his widow or minor children, from any
debts whatever except mechanics and Ia
borers' liens for work done on the premises,
and no deed or mortgage of the homestead
Is valid without the wile's signature there
to; also one horse, mule or OK team, three
cows, ten swine, thirty sheep, all household
furniture and family musical instruments,
oil farming implements, the miscellaneous
library, pictures ard &C., q mechanics tools,
professional mans library, and to every
person stock and trade in the business in
which they are engaged to the amount Of
four hundred dollars, also one years supply
Of fuel and provisions for the family arc OK
empt except for laborers wages. .,.a
RIGHTS OF MARRIED WOMEN. hs.
- A married woman can acquire and hold
either real or personal property the same as
ifsinsle. The husband has no control over
her property, and it cannot under any cir
cumstances be sold to pay his debts.
.8'.a 1NsoLvENT DEBTORS ACT.
There is also an insolvent debtors act by
which any person who has lived for one
yaar in the 6tste may BY aur-andaring all
his property, not by law exempt from exc.
cution into the hands Of receiver appoint
ed by the Court, be discharged from all his
debts. This law has been decided to be va
lid by the highest tribunal in tho State.
THE JUDICIARY. .te ..s.
In all the Territories in the United States
the judiciary is appointed in most Of the
States in the Union; it is elective. It is
elective in Minnesota since it become a
State. 1t is question in the public mind,
however, whether the latter policy is good
- one, as in the case Of other offices, wire pull
lers and unscrupulous politicians frequently
obtain their party nominations to the exclu-
sion OF the we'll read practising lawyer, who
is seldom a ne,e politician. Indeed, many
INSCRIPTIONS wire pullers are on the Bench
while it is we'll understood that they owe
their position more to their peculiar tact fos
managing political caucauses and nominal.
ing conventions than TO any superior legal
attainments. The same rule will apply
with equal force to Sheriffs and miner of6.
GERS.
Before me is Canadian paper containing
IN article advocating the elective system in
the Province. Should such result be even
brought about, it may not be long in vogue
ere its warmest supporters will see that ever
the elective system as we'll as tho present il
accompanied Ito say the least) with i'm.
perfsctions. And unlike the Mayoralty O
Whitby, such Offices are not to be tri1aed
with or to be given as reward for partisan
service merely. ..5
FOREIGNERS &C.
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