The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-24
Rebel Property ia Minnesota.

The following bill, introduced into the
Senate by JAMES SMITH, Jr., Of Ramsey
county, will cause some squ!rming among
prominent rebels, who have hitherto held
property in this State, generally for specu-
lative purposes, as well as some of their as
signees. The bill passed the Senate yes
terday, unanimously, and will doubtless go
through the House in the same manner. 1t
reads:
sons engaged in aiding the rebellion against
the United States, of prosecuting actions in
the Courts of this State.
Be it enacted by the Legislature Of the State of
Minnesota
SECTION l. That no suit, action or civil pro-
ceedng whatever shall be hereafter brought,
commenced or instituted in any of the Courts
of this State by, on behalf of, or for the use or
benefit OF any person or persons who now are
or hereafter may be engaged in aiding or abet
ting the rebellion (nOw eXisting) against the
Government of the United States, during the
existence of said rebellion nor shall any ac-
ton or proceeding in any of said Courts now
pending wherein any of said persons are par
ties, plaintiffs or joined as plaintiff with any
other person, whether judgment be therein en-
tered or not be further prosecuted, but the
same shall abate and no further proceedings,
by execution or otherwise therein had, during
the continuance of said rebellion, foreclose
any mortgage by advertisement OF otherwise.
SEC. 2. That all citizens, residents or inhab.
itants of the States of Alabama, Arkansas,
Florida, Georgia. Louisiana, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
and the part of Virginia lying east of the
Blue Ridge Mountains Except persons therein
engaged in military servi-e of the United
States), shall be held and taken within the true
intent and meaning of this act to be engaged
in aiding and abetting the rebellion aforesaid.
Sec. 8. That any defendant against whom
an action may be brought, or to any action or
proceeding heretofore commenced, whether
prosecuted to final judgment or otherwise,
may at any time by his verified answer or by
affidavit, allege that the plaintiff therein, or
one or more oil such plaintiffs, are citizens OF,
or residents in, any of the States named in Sec
ton two of this act, or have been, or are, en-
gagged in aiding said rebellion. or that such ac-
ton is prosecuted fOrsthe use or benefit Of some
person or persons engaged, or heretofore en-
gagged, in aiding or abetting said rebellion,
therein naming such person, the facts so al
legged shall be held and taken as prima tacie
evidence that the party plaintiff Ga party in in
teresO is SO engaged IN aiding and abetting
said rebellion--that the plaintiff may reply,
denying the allegations of such answer Or atfi-
davts, ana the Issue thus found may be tried
by jury and determined as other issues of fact
are now authorized by law to be tr ed. Ii
such issue is found In favor OF the plaintiff, the
said action shall proceed as in other cases, and
the plaintiff shall recover judgment for his dis
bursements, and twenty dollars costs. If the
issue is found for the defendant, the Court shall
order dismissal of such action, and in like
manner adjudge to the defendant his dsburse-
ments with like costs.
SEC 4. That ali assignments, conveyances,
or transfers of property Of any kind whatever,
or of any chose or right in action heretofore or
that may hereafter be made by any person or
persons engaged in said rebellion. shall be held
and taken to be made with intent to defraud
the government out Of its lawful torteitures,
and OF no force, effect or validity whatever.
DEC. 5. This act to take effect and be in
force from and after its passage.