The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-09
, Legislative Topics.

The RAILROAD QUEsr1oN-A PRopos1-
TON FOR THE PEoPLE.-In the House, on
Monday evening, by vote of 43 ayes to Is
nays, concurrent resolution was adopted,
proposing amendments to the Constitution,
in reference to the State Railroad Bonds.
1t is proposed to amend section two of arti-
Gle nine of the constitution, by adding to it
the following proviso
"But no law leYying tax, or making other
provisions for the payment of interest or prin-
cipal of the bonds denominated Minnesota
State Railroad Bonds shall take effect or be
in force until such law shall have been submit
ted to vote of the people of the State, and
adopted by majority of the electors of the
State voting upon the same"
The Railroad loan amendment, adopted in
April, 1857, it is proposed to expunge from
the constitution, and substitute the fol-
lowing
SECTION 10. The credit of the State shall
never be given or loaned in aid of any individ
ual association or corporation; nor shall there
be any further issue of bonds denominated
Minnesota State Railroad Bonds" under
WuaL purpOrtS To Uc al dm6uQIu0QC TO SeCLlOu
ten of article nine of the constitution, adopted
April Is, 1858, which is expunged from the con
stitutiOn, saving, excepting, and reserving to
the State, nevertheless, all rights remedies and
forfeitures accrung under said amendment.
In the House, the Democrats voted in a
body against the proposed amendments, aided
by the votes of Messrs. AcKER, B1xLER,
CoeoswELL, GREENE, of Steele, JOHNSON,
MANN, MANToR, SHREWSBURY, STEWART,
Stock and WHITE, all Republicans.
In the Senate the amendments were car
ried by strict party vote.
The substance of the proposed amend
ments, is as follows:
Frst-No tax shall be levied to pay the
interest or principal of the State Railroad
Bonds, until such tax law shall be submitted
to, and approved by majority of the
voters of the State voting upon the same.
Second-There shall be no further issue of
State Railroad Bonds, and the loan amend.
ment is expunged from the Constitution.
Ihird--The State while expunging the
loan amendment, and thus depriving the
companies of their rights under it, magnani-
mously asserts that such expunging shall
not affect "all rights, remedies, and for
FIXTURES accruing Ito the State) under said
amendment"
The FILLMORE SENATORIAL CONTEST
The weak-backed brothers, Messrs. FROST,
GALLOWAY, and SrANNARD were yesterday,
in the Senate, dashed by party drill, into
regulating their past declarations, and
voting that the Senatorial squatters, HoL-
LEX and WELLS, of Fillmore county, were
entitled to seats in that body, as legally
elected Senators. The sight was affecting
in the extreme. 1t was the greatest feat of
word-eating and officiating on record. The
trio felt it to be so. They attempted to
dodge the vote, but their efforts were futile.
They were brought to the rack, after the
other Senators had voted, and made to
place their names on the same journal,
which, few pages back, will convict them
of criminal inconsistency and bad faith.
At this point, their suferings found vent in
groans and supplications. DR.. GALLOWAY
almost drew tears from the flinty hearts of
the lobby, as he piteously narrated his woes.
ADJoURNMENT-The Senate and House
have agreed to extend the session until Mon
day next, at IL NJ. Three dollars per day,
even in state script, still possesses attrac-
lions for our model legislators.
AMENDE HoNoRABLE.-In the heat of
debate on Monday, Mr.. MAcKuB1N made
some personal reflections upon several
of his political friends, and Mr.. CowAN in
particular, which, he took occasasion to
say yesterday, were not warranted, but
were uttered under much excitement,
and, he hoped, would be forgotten. Mr..
Cowan expressed himself satisfied with
the explanation volunteered by Mr. MAcKU-
BIN. Both these gentlemen rank high in
the Senate, as able, Industrious, and prac-
teal legislators and we are glad to note
that the somewhat too spirited colloquy of
Monday, has-not been productive of any per-
manent ill-feding.
MRS. B1LANsKY.-The Legislature has
finally passed the bill committing the punish.
ment of Mrs. BnANsKY to imprisonment for
life. Will Gov. RAMSEY approve it?
SPEAKER CoaaswELL yesterday made an
able speech, in favor of extending the ses-
sion until Monday. He reminded the ma
jority of the House that it was too late to
think Of making capital, by the cry of
".short session." and that the only way
members could command the good opinion
of their, constituents, was by prompt and
well considered action, on bills yet pending.
The speech had such an effect that the idea
of a night session, commencing at nine
o'clock, for the purpose of hastily finishing
up business. was abandoned. and the Hnnse