The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-02-17


the passage of the bill as amended.
Mr.. McLAREN moved that the Senate
concur.
Mr.. COWAN offered a substitute for the
bill reported by the Committee, after strik>
ing out all after the enacting clause.
He was in favor of reducing the basis of
representation. He had labored hard at a
previous session to re duce the Senate to %
and the House to 54--he thought it was the
duty OF the Legislature to reduce the repre-
sentatlon, but that the manner in which the
Dill had been got up was unconstitutional
because 1t was not based upon propulation
but upon voters. The bill proposed diff
erent basis from that laid down in the con,
| stltutIon, which was the only rule laid down
for their guidance. He went On and detailed
the inequalities of the representation of
Ramsey, Washington, and other counties
compared with others in the State. He
also spoke OF district near which he resi-
ded with population of about 2OO0 that
has the same representation of Ramsey with
population of about 10000 The Demo-
cratic Senators were in favor of reducing
the representation in the last legislature,
but were voted down by the Republican
members, with few Democrats. lie would
not vote for so unfair bill as that pro-
posed by the committee. He would not
vote to disfranchise the people Of Ramsey
county. The bill proposed monstrous
wrong for the purpose of making Republi-
can capital. 1t was an odious gerryman-
derying that would make an honest man
blush--it was not only gerrymaDdering, but
it utterly ignored whole Democratic coun,
ties. He hoped time would be given to
examine the substitute offered by him. The
Senate then took recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The consideration of the apportiOnment
bill was resumed.
Mr.. HALL moved that the bill be re-
ferred to select committee of three with
instructions to report to the Senate, whether
its provisions conflict with the Constitution
of this State, and if so, in their jude ment
such be the case, to report bill reducing
the present number of members Of the legs.
lature, and providing for an amendment to
the constitution and for the submission of
the same to the people for their approval or
rejection.
The resolution was lost by a vote of ii
to II.
Mr.. COWAN commenced to speak, when
the Clerk of the House appeared the
Fireman, 1.-THE Sergeat alarms being alb
sen0 exclaimed Senate come to order, a
message from the House." interrupting the
Senator in bis remarks.
| Mr.. HALL said these interruptions had
been of frequent occurrence, and hoped this
would be the last time they would be al
! lowed.
Mr.. COWAN proceeeed at some length
in exposing the injustice of the bill reported
by the committee He showed by the sta
tistics, the outrages attempted to be perpe-
trated By its passage, on the people of
Ramsey county particularly, and on other
counties OF the State, and closed with an
eloquent and passionate appeal TO the Re-
publican side of the House to do Justice to
all sections of the State.
Mr.. HEATON attempted to answer Mr..
Cowan's remarks, by entering into an exam
nation Of the expenditure of the contingent
funds of the late State officers, and without
making any reply to the charge of injustice
in the apportlonment, he gave it as his opin-
ion that it was constitutional, and charged
upon the Democratic members the design of
keeping up the old system. He went into
national politics, ard stigmatized the De
mocratic party as disunonists.
Mr. COWAN moved that the bill and
the substitute be referred to select COM
mittee of three.
The President decided the motion out of
order, but finally allowed the vote to be
taken.
The motion of Mr.. Cowan was lost, yeas
H. nays Is.
hon foI-
Cowon's substitute and it WAS lOst--yeas
10, nays Is.
Mr.. MACKUBIN said he wished to Of
fer an amendment in relation to Ramsey
county, and said that among all the unjust
provisions of tie bill, there were none SO
gross as those relating to this county. He
offered it with no hope of its passage, but
from duty to his constituents. He asked
his colleague (NIr. StewarD ifhe would join
hands with those who sought to do injustice
to his constituents. He moved to amend so
as to give Ramsey county five representa-
tives instead of four.
Mr.. HALL said that from the haste in
which the gentleman from Ramsey, (Mr.
Stewart,) lett the Senate during his coll
leagues remarks, he supposed he had pro-
fessonal call He therefore moved a call of
the Senate, but subsequently Withdrew 1t.
Mr.. HALL said there had never been a
bill got up that did so much injustice to a
county upon the floor of the Senate as this
upon Ramsey county. Scott county and
Wabashaw county had the same representa-
tion on this floor as Ramsey county. He
closed by offering an amendment to Mr..
Mackubins, which that gentleman accepted.
1t was substantially the same as he offered
in the morning, making two districts of the
county, and giving it two Senators and five
Representatives.
A general debate ensued, which was par
ticipated in by Messrs. Heaton, Bishop,
Frost, Mackubin, Hall, Evans, Baldwin of
Scott, and Andrews
The amendment of Mr.. Mackubin was
lost-yeas 9, nays Is.
Mr.. STEWART voted nay.
Mr.. MCLAREN moved the previous
question. Lost.
Mr.. ANDREWS addressed the Senate
% cop,o loprtb III o.~,ol I'LL