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

|
WEDNESDAY, Feb. s. 1860.
The Senate was called to order by the
President, and after prayer by the Chaplain,
the journal was read and approved.
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. EVANS offered long preamble in
relation to the alleged frauds in the disposal
Of the land grant, and the proceedings OF
the present railroad committee, and cOnclu-
ded with the following resolution
REsoLs WE'D, That it is hereby made the duty
of the said investigating committee to extend
| the scope of its actions, so as to include the
| whole of the current legislature of 1861 with
like powers to call before it any person to be
| examined on oath as said committee now pos
| sess with respect to charges of corruption and
| bribery ascribed to the $50 called" extra ses-
sion of 1857, and the legislature of 1858.
After some debate the resolution ard
preamble was laid over.
CHAPLAIN.
The President called the attention of the
Senate to the fact that in electing the Chap
lain, no provision had been made for his
per diem.
Mr.. WYNN offered resolution that the
Secretary be authorized to issue to the
Chaplain certificates of per diem at the same
rate as those issued to members.
MIR. BISHOP opposed the adoption of
the resolution. He said there was an un.
derstanding among the members when the
Chaplain was elected that be should serve
the State gratuitousy.
Mr.. KING said there was no such un.
Outstanding among the members. He be.
lieved the Chaplain should be paid for ad-
ministering to the spiritual wants of the
members.
Mr.. ROBINSON thought the under
standing was that the Chaplain should re-
ceive $3.50 per day. He thought if all the
spiritual wants of the members were sup
piled, S. per day would not be sufficient
compensation.
Mr.. WYNN said it was niggardly to
allow the chaplain only $3.50 per day.
Mr.. WELLS thought the chaplain should
receive So per day. The services rendered
by that officer were the best services that
could be rendered to the State.
Mr.. BISHOP then gave notice of debate,
and the resolution was laid over.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Mr.. NELSON 70 amend the char
ter of the city of Saltwater.
By Mr.. EDGERION For an act to
| provide for the service of summons in Jus
tees Court in certain eases.
BILLS PASSED.
An act to amend the charter of the city
of st. Paul.
The bill providing for the location of a
State Prison at Red Wing was put on its
final passage, and was lost for want of a
constitutional majority-yeas IL; nays Is. !
A bill regulating the rate of interest on
money, goods and things in action, and
usury. This was the substitute for the
House bill, and was introduced by Mr.
Mackubin. The title was amended so as
to read A bill for an act fixing the rate o.
interest,""
APPORrIONMENT BILL.
The bill for an act to prescribe the num-
Der of members who shall compose the
Senate and House of Representatives Of
the State of Minnesota, and to apportior
the representation in both Houses, throug-
out the different sections of the State, came
up on its third reading for final passage.
Mr.. STEWART moved that the bill be
amended this requires a unanimous vote,
by inserting the amendment which Mr.. Hal
offered yesterday, and which he (Mr. Stew.
art) voted against. The only difference was
that it proposed to give Ramsey county
three Representatives and two Senators
instead of one Senator and four Representa-
tives.
Objections being made the motion was
lost.
Mr.. HALL moved that the bill be referred
to select committee consisting of Messrs
Stewart, King and Andrews. The motor
was lost.
Mr.. HALL then moved that the bill be
recommitted to the Committee of the Whole
Lost.
Motions were made for reference, for q
recess, call Of the House, ETC., which were
voted down.
MIR. ROBINSON said that the bill con-
tanned such palpable injustice to Ramsey
county that it ought to be referred to 6
select committee for the purpose of adjust
ment.
A large number of points of order were
raised and decided, which are of no particu
lar interest, and could hardly be understood
by any but those present.
On motion of Mr.. HALL, the Senate
took recess until half-past two o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION,
The Senate was called to order by thu
President.
After an explanation of some points o
order decided in the morning by the Presi-
dent
Mr.. STEWART renewed his motion Il
amend, which was voted down in the morn.
ng.
Mr.. HODGES then moved the previous
question, which was agreed to.
The question on the amendment to the
bill was ordered.
Mr.. HODGES objected to the amend.
ment.
Mr.. COWAN moved to suspend the rule
so that the amendment should be considered
Decided out of order.
Mr.. HODGES withdrew his objection
and the amendment passed.
The main question was then ordered
which was on the passage of the bill.
! And the yeas and nays being called fol