The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-02-10
STATE LEGIsLATURE.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. l, 1860.
l. The Senate was opened with prayer by
the Rev. John ID. POpe. II2

The Senate was opened with prayer by
the Rev. John D. Pope.
%Gs PETITIONS 3#
From citizens OF the Fifth Judicial Dis.
trict, asking the Legislature to provide by
law for one term of the Supreme Court to
be holden every year at Faribault, within
and for said district. Referred to committee
on judiciary.
A number Of bills were then read first
and second time.
BILLS PASSED.
Fixing the salaries of State officers.
/ 10 amend certain chapters and sections
OF the Public Statutes relating to Probate
Courts.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Mr.. STANNARD, of Chisago, in the
Chair.
, THE UsURY LAW.
The House bill regulating the rate of
interest on goods, money and things in
action, and usury was considered.
The Senate bill of the same character was
passed yesterday. .
Mr.. FROST said the passage of this bill
inconsistent position. A bill had already
been passed on the subject which expressed
the sense of the Senate thereon. The pro-
visions of this bill were homogeneous with
that already passed. He believed all legis
latiOn to restrict the rate of interest would
prove Ineffective and futile. Half century
of legislation on this subject had shown
that laws enacted by the legislature could
not control the laws of trade and commerce.
Two years since, while in Wisconsin, where
usury law existed, he found the rates of
interest ruled as high as in Minnesota. At
the same time in the State of New York,
where the most stringent usury law in the
Union prevails, making as penalty for
receiving more than seven per cent. interest,
a forfeiture of the whole debt, together with
tine and imprisonment, the ruling rate of
interest in the interior of the State, was
fourteen per cent. per annum, and in New
York city, two and three per cent. per
month. The laws of commerce and trade
are above and beyond the reach of all stat
utory enactments. They were part of the
Divine laws. Daniel Webster opposed
legislation to restrict the spread of slavery in
the territories as re-enactment of the laws
of God. We are now doing more than that
in attempting to repeal the fixed and univer-
sal laws of trade. He would be glad to do
anything in his power, or in the power of
the Senate to reduce the rates of interest.
He believed the rates which had prevailed
here were intolerable and ruinous. But we
must trust wholly to the returning wisdom
and good sense of individuals to reduce
these rates. All legislation had failed hith.
erto to effect the purpose. 49,.
Mr.. EVANS said he was not previously
aware that five per cent month was a part
of the law of God.
AN ACT REGULATING THE COLLECTION OF
Mr.. EDGERTON said that day after
day bills of this kind had been introduced.
Minnesota was saying to the world that the
creditor had no rights which the debtor is
bound to respect. With the permission of
the getter up of the bill Senator Cowan) he
would amend the title of the bill so that it
shall read, AN act to prohibit the collec-
ton of debts"
Mr.. STEVENS was ready to vote for
bill to prevent the collection of debts by
law. All debts should be debts of honor.
He said that bis friend Judge Edgerton,)
and lawyers, and land-sharks would 90
against such laws, but the people were 10
favor of them.
Mr.. ROGERS favored the provisions of
the bill, as they did not have reference to
creditors of the State.
Mr.. MCLAREN moved that the bill
be referred to the Committee on the State
Prison.
Mr.. ANDREWS hoped that the Senate
would not trife in that way. He was op-
posed to the passage of the bill. He did
not believe public opinion favored the pro-
vision of the bill. We are legislatiug in
advance ofpublic opinion. He would like
to hear the bill discussed.
Mr.. COWAN would not urge the passage
of the bill. He stated that the bill was not
antagonistic to public opinion. He was
willing to have the bill laid aside that its
provisions might be carefully considered.
He had noticed that one Democratic paper
and two Republican papers in this State
contained articles in favor of the object of
the bill, although the editors were not aware
that such bill had been introduced. The
Jill wac SAUhOiy uiuCICuI lIOm tuC w lSCOu.
sin bill. 1t did not conflict with the laws
relating to the rights of persons holding real
estate. The expense of courts greatly ex.
ceeds the amount in litigation, and the peo-
pie were taxed enormously to support all
manner Of legal officers. All laws to stay
the collection of debts were dishonest in
principle, but the necessities of the people
demanded that something should be done
for the general relief. We are State of
Debtors, and there is uot tribunal in the
the State where the influence of the debtor
is not felt in the jury box in determining its
/ judgments. He hoped the motion of the
Senator from Goodhue would not prevail,
but that itwould be referred to Select Com
mittee.
Without further debate the Committee
rose to consider business in Executive ses-
sion. ~
The bill regulating the rate Of interest on
money, &C., las above,) was recommended
by the Committee to be read third time,
and the Senate concurred. a Be-
The Senate again resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole. @ ...H
Mr.. COWAN in the Chair.
The bill to abolish capital punishment