The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-01
RAILROADS.

Mr.. CHILDS.s of Waseca, offered q resolu-
ton instructing the Committee on Railroads to
report back for the consideration of the House
the resolutions referred to said Committee, on
the subject of Railroads, Bonds. &c.
Mr.. BANNING seconded it propositions
were pouring in, various measures were being
brought up, and action in reference to it had
now become urgently demanded.
Mr.. SARGE Ant hoped the Committee would
not be unduly hurried. ...s.
Mr.. CHILDS said the sooner we began to see
where we stood, the better would we be able
to get through some proper, calm, and reason
able measure. ti''t ''ff-0 'tt' 81
Mr.. DRISCOLL was opposed to any haste.
Some other debate ensued.
Mr.. CORNELL severely chastised some of
the members of the Committee for divulging
the secrets of their meetings. No one--cer-
tainly not the Chairman, {himselT had been
instructed to lay before the House any pro-
ceedings of that Committee. It was illegal
and supplementary. Mr.. Cornell then gave
q sketch of the lay Of the question; the prop
ositlons and means, and the various modes of
adjusting the question.
Mr.. ACKER thought that this action was
premature. He moved to table the resolution.
Carried, yeas, %, nays, ID.
Mr.. BANNING offered the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved. That it is the sense of this House.
that the State should not part with the grading
and improvements upon the lines of the late
Land Grant Railroads now owned by the State
unless security is obtained in advance by de
post of Minnesota State R abroad Bonds" or
reliable State Bonds, or United State stocks
equal to the value of such grading and i'm
prOvements.
Mr.. ACKER moved to table it; but withdrew
the motion. as Mr.. BANNING wished to de-
bate it. '"s'' " '-''f ''''
Mr.. BANNING then made quite a lengthy
argument. He thought the exigency of the case
rose above parliamentary courtesy to COM
mittees. The question was well understood,
and there was no reason why it could not now
be taken up. The gentleman went on at con-
siderable length--enteriDg into the merits of
the arguments quite extensively, in favor Of
demanding adequate security for the road
beds, lands and improvements. The men who
will come to this legislature, he said, and ask
for these roads are not the ones to entrust the
building of the roads TO-. There are other men
captalists--real RAILROAD men," who have
not been here yet, begging for these roads,
who are the ones who can and will build them
if allowed. The way to find the proper per-
sons was to put their financial capacity to the
test. ....... ..- a: ----- t..s.-
Mr.. CHILDS moved to strike out minnesota
State Railroad Bonds" co fi, - 81 =
Interfere with the plan OF having the bond
holders complete the roads, and did not agree
with the Republican platform. ..,......
Mr.. CHILDS said that if the plan argued by
the gentleman was the Republican policy, the
next Legislature would pass out of our hands.
His constituency would never swallow the
plan, though as good Republicans as ever
the outstanding bonds now---th0ugh they were
not worth the snap of finger--but we were
not yet able to pay them, nor could We set
any specific time when we should be.
Mr.. HANSCOME said the war had com.
menced fairly now and he was for carrying it
on. He did not agree with Mr.. Banning in his
views of the Republican policy He saw q
large mouse in the plan now sticking out, it
was kind of rod of Aaron-a grand big con-
Germ to swallow up all lesser lines. He was,
however, in favor of demanding proper secu-
rity and guarantees to protect the interest of
the State, before anything was intrusted into
the hands of our new Companies.
Mr.. BANNING replied at some length. and
the debate was continued for about an hour be.
tween him and Mr.. Chlds.
The SPEAKER, Mr.. Acker in the chair)
said he thought this matter premature, but
would give his views on the matter. He rep.
resented q constituency who differed both from
Mr.. Banning's, and Mr.. Child's policy. They
thought the bonds would have to be paid ulti-
mately. -9s 2. So; rs q 4ltl....,
Mr.. BENSON looked on the bonds as valid,
and that they had been properly issued fol
services performed, &c. ~! ts... ia /
After some further debate, Mr.. ACKER
moved to table the whole matter. Carried.
Mr.. DRISCOLL offered resolution instruct.
ing the Railroad Committee to report next
Wednesday, which was tabled also. . /
. 4a1 :aTHR PRINTING. Z. .,+ .t .
A communication from WIN. r. MARSHALL,
Incidental Printer, explaining the delay in exc
cutting orders, was read. t...., .e.. F
Mr.. PETIT was excused from further SER
vice on the Printing Committee.
The House then adjourned.