The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-08
Legislative Topics.

Hon. II. j HUNT.-We nave never been
in the habit of putting certain individuals,
and giving the cold shoulder to others
but occasionally we must break over these
rules, when we deem that any one has
merited special mention. Hon. THOMAS
JEFFERSON Hunt, of Dodge, is an instance
of this. As rising member, he has no
equal on the floor. A gentlemen of great
astuteness, penetrating sagacity, and pro-
found intellectual attachments, he has Sc
cured prominent position before the House
His interest in all topics before that body,
his design to benefit his constituents" and
his restless energy leads him to speak on
every subject that comes up, and move lu-
minous amendments to each section of
every bill, while his tact in calling for the
ayes and noes, and making motions is sur
prising. He knows more about each SUBJ
ject than the member introducing the same.
His legal lore and judicial mind" are of
great use to the House-makiDg all intan-
gible subjects plain and lucid. He deserves
we'll of the people of his district-over the
left!
REGISTRATION OF MARR1AGEs.-Since we
have Statistical Bureau at cost of three
or four thousand dollars per annum, laws to
render it efficient should be passed. Last
winter a bill was passed for the registration
of interments in cemeteries, so as to collect
reliable statistics of mortality, which, when
it shall have had time to go into operation,
will provide valuable and reliable facts re-
garding the number of deaths and causes of
the same in the State. Another law that
we have frequently mentioned as necessary
to the collection of proper social statistics,
was an efficient law relating to to filing
marriage certificates. The present law is
very good, if it could be enforced, but it is
very little regarded by those who are en-
titled to perform the marriage ceremony,
and though there is quite penalty for
neglect to file a certificate of any marriage
solemnized, but few ministers observe the
same, and thus the present law does not pro-
vide any correct figures concerning this
branch of statistical information, which is
an important one. In the "rural Districts"
where Justices of the Peace frequently get
but a "quarter," for more frequently moth
ing) for marrying couple, it is quite a
hardship to have to make special trip of
20 or % miles to the county seat, and then
pay so cents for filing the record of mar
riage. To obviate the insuf6ciency of such a
system, Mr.. BUTLER, of Fillmore, introduced
In to the House bill providing that no
officer or minister shall unite any couple in
marriage, until the party have procured and
shown to him certificate, or license, from
the town clerk, of the township in which
one or both such parties reside, or are to be
married, &c. Any one SO uniting any
couple without such certificate shall, on
conviction, forfeit $lO0. In some respects
the idea is good one, but the bill proposed
is very imperfect and should be thoroughly
revised before being passed, as in some re-
spects it interferes with the law on page
AGO of the Public Statutes.
RAILRoADs.-Tnere was no vote yester-
day in the Senate which could be consid~
cred test on the railroad question. Mr..
JONES' omnibus bill was read and amended
in Committee of the Whole. The subject
will be res lined to-day.
MILITARY BILL. The last bill Jared the
same fate as its predect ssor, yesterday,
being indefinitely postponed by small
vote. The bill was liked and commended
by all in every particular except the tax
provision, ard the rejection of an amend
ment to allow the Commissioners Of Coun>
ties to assess it or not, as the people should
order-was the cause Of its defeat.
The House yesterday and the day pre-
vious pretty effectually cleared its files OF
all unmportant bills, and have before them
but little business of any Importance.
RAILRoADs.-The several railroad bills
before the Senate were recommended by the
Committee of the Whole to be passed, but
the recommendation was not acted on by
the Senate, the whole afternoon being occu'
pied with speeches. A vote will probably
be had to-day. As the two systems are
nearly perfected, the adoption of one or the
other will settle the whole subject with but
little labor hereafter. 1t is expected thai
Mr.. NORTON, of Winona, and Mr.. SMITH
of Ramsey, will speak upon the question
before the vote is taken.
New BANKING LAW. IN lLLINo1s.-By
the amendatory act just passed by the lii
nois Legislature, the banks are required t.
denosit illinois State stocks as security fol