The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-01-27
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY, Jan. 20.
After the transaction of the usual unim-
portant preliminary business, such as resO.
lutions, notices, etc., the House proceeded to
the. consideration of the Senate file. A
memorial for the reoccupancy of Fort Alb
ercrombie, was referred to the Committee on
Indian Affairs.
BOGUS INSURANCE COMPANIES.
A bill for an act to regulate insurance
companies not incorporated by the State of
Minnesota, was taken up and passed. The
bill provides that all insurance companies
not incorporated in this State, shall make
an exhibit of their affairs, annually to the
State Treasurer, who, upon such exhibit,
shall issue to the companies certificate
authorizing them to transact the insurance
business in the State. The bill is designed
for the protection of citizens against fraud.
ulent insurance companies ; and is copied
from an Ohio statute.
LIQUOR BILL.
The House resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole, Mr.. McDonough in the
Chair, and proceeded to the consideration of
bill to prevent abuse in the sale of intoxi-
eating liquors, by disposing of the ardent
to minors, habitual drunkards, and Indians.
The bill also proposes to provide pure liquor
for the people of the State, or rather bro.
hibit the sale of adulterated liquors.
In the discussion of the bill, Mr.. Trow,
of Fillmore, gave his experience as a phys
ician, in purchase he made of gin, brandy
and wine, which he showed to be of the
Minnie rifle stamp, eating through tin cans,
and leaving a residnum in the wine cask
which made good ink.
The question of Indian testimony coming
up; and. ap amendment pending, making
such testimony admissible, Mr.. Abbot said
be would never vote to permit thieving,
lousy, good for nothing, lying Indian to
testify against white man." Mr.. A. is
exclusively the friend of the negro.
Mr.. GREENE, of Steele, and Mr.. DON.
OHUE advocated the propriety of the ad.
mission of such testimony, and letting it 90
before the court and Jury for what it is
worth. The amendment permitting Indians
to testify prevailed.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Purdie
was also carried, that no action should be
had, or recovery made, in the courts of this
State, for liquors sold in the State This
is tantamont to outlawing the liquor traffic.
Mr.. TROW offered an amendment, au.
thorizing any justice of the peace to en-
power commission of two physicians or a
chemist to examine into the purity of all
suspected liquors. A temperance speech of
the ultra kind, was rehearsed in support of
the amendment.
Mr.. SWEET did not want the !" tasters'
confined to the medical profession. He
moved to substitute any elector, and thus
make the privilege of tasting the liquor
general. The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. REM, (Teuton, whose lager ap.
pears to be in danger) offered an amend
ment imposing the penalties of the act on
druggists selling poison.
Mr.. TROW made an earnest speecb
against the amendment, which was lost.
Mr.. KINKEAD styled the bill as IN.
necessary-impracticable. i
Mr.. TROW bloviated again.
Mr.. ROBERTSON said he was in favor
of the objects Of the bill, as far as il con.
templated the protection Of habitual drunk
ards. miners and Indians from the effects of
BIRD whiskey. But who was to determina
who were dronkards? Revenge, JEALOUSY,
and other prejudices, might induce men to