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

hepuDllC0nS OF the LOUISE, n6S SUCCEEDED
in rushing q bill through that body to
change the name Of the county Of "Toombs'
to that of Anderson" When Minnesota
needed favors, she had no better friend in
Congress than Senator TooMBs; and for the
success of much of the Congressional legis-
lation, favorable to the State, his ardent
friendship was necessary. More than any
other Senator he contributed to the passage
of the bill granting 100000 acres of pub
lie lands to the State, to aid in the con-
struction of Railroads and the Legislature
some years ago, as special mark of its
appreciation of his services, named new
county after the distinguished Senator.
Mr.. TooMBs is man of large wealth, but
in no sense Spectator yet be is the
owner of 160 acres of land in this State,
secured by the location of military land
warrant, received for services on the battle.
fields of the country. he is frank, honest,
ardent man; and although we have no
sympathy with him, in his secession move
ments, yet none who know him, will doubt
his sincerity. When we needed his aid, he
was too nagnanimous to deny us any favor
because of our institutions. We, in graft
tude, gave bis name to county in the will
derness. Shall we now, to indulge in q
spiteful fling, erase his name from the map
of the State? Is this insult to one of her
first citizens, the peace offering we send to
Georgia?
ANOTHER RAILROAD BLL.-Mr. CH1LDs
of Waseca, Monday, introduced into the
House bill entitled can Act to facilitate
the construction of the Mississippi and
Cedar Valley Railroad, and to amend and
continue certain Acts in relation thereto"
The act provides
Frst.-That the rights and property of
the road acquired by the State are granted
and transferred to any Railroad Company
organized under the general railroad BILL"
and on terms to be provided in this Act.
Sseond.-All the rights, privileges and
grants to which the Mississippi & Cedar
Valley Railroad were entitled, shall be
transferred to such Company, to be called
the Minneapolis, Faribault and Cedar Valley
Railroad Company.
Ihird.-The provisions of this Act are
upon the following conditions First, such
Company shall deposit with the Governor
of the State $4,000, or equivalent in State
or United States stocks, Except Minnesota
seven per cents,) to be held as security for
the prompt completion of one-half the length
of said road, within one year from the pas
sage of this bill, with equipment, and COM
plete the other half within two years, &c.
second, persons who have squatted on lands
of the Company can have the same by
paying $l.25 per acre therefor, within one
year after such Company shall acquire
title to snch lands; third, the lands of such
Company shall be taxed in like manner as
lands of private individuals; fourth, the
Company shall continue the line of road as
at present commenced; fifth, in case Of de-
fault, the $4,000 is to be forfeited to. the
State.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL LANDs.-The dis
position of the school lands is the most i'm
portant subject before the present Legisla-
ture, not excepting even the disposition Of
the Railroads and Railroad bonds. There
is considerable outside pressure upon the
members to induce the Legislature to order
an immediate appraisal and sale of one
third of these lands, in accordance with the
second section of article nine of the consti.
tuition. A resolution was introduced into
the Senate by Mr.. WATSON, instructing the
Committee on Schools and School Lands to
report bill for that purpose. Mr.. NOR
TON also introduced joint resolutions amend
ing the section of the constitution relating
to this subject, by striking out the follow
ing portion
The proceeds of such lands as are or hereaf.
ter may be granted by the United States for
the use of schools within each township in this
States, and not more than one.third of said
lands may be sold in two years, one.third in
five years, and one-third in ten years; but the
lands of the greatest valuation shall be sold first
provided that no portion of said lands shall be
sold otherwise than at public sale.
The disposition Of the majority of the
members of the legislature seems to be to
sustain the view presented in the Governors
message, and to hold the school lands not
as temporary source OF relief from present
burdens, but as provision for the permanent
inteeests of education. This was shown in
the Senate by the rejection of the resolution
requesting the Committee to bring in bill
for sale of a portion of them. The whole
question, however, is still open, and we can
not attempt to foreshadow what legislation
may be had upon it.
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