The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-25
Legislative Topics.

Legislative Topics.
The W1NoNA RAILROAD PROGRAMME
Senator MORTON, on the 10th, in the Senate,
introduced bill developing the proposed
policy Of the friends of the Transit road.
It provides t S3- i.''' . s'g
First-That whatever rights the State
acquired, by reason of the sale Of the Tran.
sit road by the Governor, on the 23d of
june last, are granted to ORvnLE CLARK,
ABRAHAM KING, JOHN w. KIRK, ROBERT
H1cHAN, w. H. SMITH, NELSON P. Stew
ART and X. W. PERKINS, free and clear OF
ail liens and claims thereon, by the State Of
Minnesota. Yd i3ss8..5I von Y7,3.is5i
Second That all the franchises and
rights granted to the Transit Railroad
Company by the Territory or State of Min.
nesota, are vested in the above named gen.
tlemen, who are authorized to organize the
Winona, st. Peter and Missouri river Rails
road Company. ..,,,- .....1,r
1hird-The condition of these several
grants are, that the new company shall,
within eighteen months from the passage of
this act, make and complete and put in op-
GRAFTON tirst class railroad from Winona to
Rochester, and shall furnish further section,
to connect with the Cedar Valley Railroad,
within three months after that road is COM
pleted to the point of junction, provided the
time shall be at least two years from the
passage of the act, and also provided that
the whole line of said Railroad, from Vino.
ma to st. Peter, shall be completed within
three years. ar se-
Fourth-Bestows all the rights, &c., of
the Transit road on the new company, and
gives it power to execute mortgages or trust
deeds of their property, &C., to secure the
payment OF any money borrowed or liabil.
tiles incurred. BID bid u.E. 90, s...
The STATE OF THE UNION is source of
great trouble to our Republican friends.
They don't appear to entertain the same
opinion two days in succession. They re-
solve, and re-resolve, and then un.resolve all
that they had before resolved. It is a
question Of powder and bomb-shells one
day, and the next of syntax, common sense
and brevity. The House, disguised with
all this wrangling, on the 10th adopted the
following brief statement of Minnesota's
views and duty:
Resolved, That we hereby declare our unal-
! terable attachment to the Union of these States
| as our Fathers made it; and that should the
| necessity arise, we pledge our lives and for
tunes to its perpetuity. ,...
OUR STANDING ARMY.-We learn from q
high officer in the State 4" malish," that the
present available force of Minnesota is as
follows :-Ofieers, commissioned and non.
commissioned, in the various corps of
infantry, dragons, artillery, engineers, etc.
l56. THAT looks warlike-but now for the
next item.) Privates, high and low, in the
several corps named, 247! Total available
force. 403; or l private and 60-100 to
every officer. -'' 1 4'
In order to obtain an effective force, it
has been suggested that the Legislature
provide means for the conveyance to WASH
ington Of the Republican ofice-seekers in
this State and that after the lucky num-
bers have been drawn, the disappointed
youths, organized into regiment, will make
excellent fighting material, as desperation
in an engagement is an A No. 1 trait. At
least 1000 men could be obtained in this
way, and by greatexertions and sacrifice, the
people might be induced to submit to the
absence of the brave fellows.
New ELECTION LAw.-Mr. SANBoRN
introduced into the Senate, on the 18th, q
codi6cation, in one bill, of all the election
laws Of the State, which are to be repealed
by this bill. The principal changes in the
existing laws are O y a-.- 10 2IlS 'a'
| It allows no one to vote in any case unless
his name is on the poll list prior to opening of
the polls on the day of election; Polls open at
half past eight and close at four Abstract Of
votes to be returned to County Auditor within
three days; County Auditors to make abstract
| OF votes LOT Ot8G6 ,OWCeES rOu OuCi cucOU, oAu
members of Congress and Electors Of Presi.
dent and Vice President on another sheet, and
transmit the same by mail to Secretary Of
State within five days after the election; The
Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of State,
and one of the Judges of Supreme Court to
canvass abstracts for members Of Congress,
and Electors of President and Vice President,
within twenty days, and determine the result,
and give certificates, etc. sfl's a-
The main object ofthe bill is to harmon
ize existing laws, and compel all officers to
attend to their duties without any delay
after election. 1t contains provisions al
lowing Indians to vote whenever the District
Court shall have certified under the Con-
stitution-the Indian being compelled to
produce such certificate. 70
GRAND JUR1Es.-A bill was introduced
into the House yesterday, by Mr.. PATrER'
l - -..l;cc. tho Sfotutoo relative t(