The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-21

struction of the Minnesota and Pacific Rail.
road, and to amend and continue the act
of incorporation relating thereto" without
amendment, and recommending that it go
to the Committee of the Whole, for consid-
| GRAFTON. The report was accepted, and the
bill came up in Committee of the Whole.
On the first section, Mr.. PAST moved to
strike out the names of the corpOrators,
dwight Woodbury., Henry F. Welles, r.
r. Nelson, Edmund Rice, Edwin A. G.
Hatch, James E.. Thompson and Lander
GOrtOn."
Mr.. Benson spoke in favor of the corpora
tors as named in bill.
Mr.. PAST urged the striking out of the
corporators, on the ground that the com
mittee could proceed to the consideration of
the bill without embarrassment.
MIR. CORNELL opposed the striking out of
the corporators, and proceeded to define his
position, and the principles that would gov
ern his action on the disposal of the Railroad
Grant. He had no doubt that the State
now had clear title to all the rights and
franchises of the Land Grant Companies !;
and as one half the time had expired in
which the Roads should be completed, in
order to secure the lands, he should vote for
the proposition that would secure the abso-
lutte, certain and speedy construction of the
road. Up to the present time, there was no
other proposition before the Legislature for
the construction Of the Minnesota and Pa
cifc road, and if there was no better propo.
sition to be submitted he should support
this one; and would vote that the main fea
lures of the bill should remain as reported.
Mr.. CORNELL explained that he under
stood the corpOrators named to have con-
tract with MeSsrs. Winter and Drake to COM
plete the first ten miles of road for l2O sec.
tiOns of land, and from what he understood
about it, he thought there would be no
doubt about the ten miles being completed.
The contract further provides for additional
expenditures by Messrs. Winter g. Drake,
and he was in favor of giving them better
terms than the last years bill, such as in.
creasing the land grant to 24O sections of
land on the completion of the first ten miles.
Mr.. BURT favored the striking out of the
names, desiring that the bill should be per-
fected, and leave the shbject open for indi-
viduals to come in and accept the PROPOSE
ton.
Messrs. STEVENS and WISWELL oppos-
ed the motion to strike out, but did not
want the present vote to indicate action on
the final vote.
Mr.. PAST disclaimed any personal feeling
against the cOrporators named; he wanted
the railroad built, but he wished to be free
from embarrassment in considering what
should be in the bill. Yet as some of his
friends had imagined he was Influenced by
other feelings, he asked to withdraw the
amendment, which was granted.
Mr.. TEACHER renewed the amendment.
His position was that the Legislature should
fix the terms and conditions upon which the
Railroads should be built, and give the
charters to whoever would come in and &C
cept them.
The amendment to strike out the names
of corporators was adopted, by standing
vote, yeas l8, nays II.
The Committee then rose and asked leave
to sit again.
Mr.. MACON moved that the House take
a recess until three o'clock, and that the
Railroad bill be made the special order. for
that hour. "t A
Mr.. BURT moved that the House adjourn.
Lost, yeas Us, nays "a.
Mr.. MAGOON'S motinn was then adopted.