The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-09-19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.
Mr. R. NJ. KENNEDY presented the Pc
tition of R. H. Widstrand, of Wright
county, protesting against the admission OF
A. C. Smith as a member Of the House.
Mr.. FAST, from the Committee on
Claims. to whom was referred that part of
the Governors message relating to the ap-
pointment of an Auditing Board for the
adjustment of war expenditures, reported
by bill
Mr.. WISWELL, from the Committee on
Elections, to whom was referred the papers
pertaining to the election Of Mr.. A. G. Smith
as a member of the House from the Sixth
District, reported as follows
That the Sixth Senatorial District comprises
the counties of Wright, Carver, Mcleod,
Meeker, Kandiyohi and Monopgala that no
election was ordered by the Governor to be
held in said District; that on the 9th day of
September, an election was held at Forest
City, Meeker county, at which MIR. Smith re-
ceved SO votes all the votes cast-as appears
from the returns OF said election, signed and
certified to by the judges and clerks of such
election.
1t appears that elections were held in no
other precincts in said District. Your com.
mittee are of opinion that the election was
Irregular and illegal, nor are they officially
informed that there is vacancy in said
District.
That the claims of Mr. Smith rest on equta-
BILE grounds and that his admission to seat
rests in the discretion of the House,
Mr.. RICHARDSON offered resolution
that Mr. Smith be admitted to seat
The resolution and report were referred
to the Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. STEVENS, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, to whom was referred that
portion of the Governors Message in regard
to the protection of the State, reported as
follows:
That in consequence of the threatening and
alarming conduct of the Indians who have so
wantonly massacred the white population of
the borders. and in some instances in the al.
most Interior of the State, your committee
would recommend chain of stOckade forts to
be erected, say from point convenient from
Sank Centra, in Stearns county, and thence at
suitable points all the way down to the Iowa
line.
These forts. in the opinion of your COM
mittce, shonld be erected about ten miles
apart. The distance would be about zoo
miles, thus making alb ut twenty forts neces
sary the line The probable average price
of the forts would be about $4,000 These
forts could. with the proper effort, be com.
peted within the next thirty days.
Should the Legislature see fit to adopt this
plan, it is believed that, in measure. conf
dence would be restored to the citiZsns who
have fed from their homes. and they would
probably return and save some portion OF
their crops. which are now going to waste.
The selection OF the points for the defences
should be submitted to the judgment of o
military engineer, though your committee
would suggest Sank Centre and the peninsula
between Alinnetaga and Kasota lakes. being a
part and parcel of the waters of kandiyohi.
These two points, in the opinion of your com.
mittee, should be selected and named in the
bill authorizing the construction of the forts.
Stockades and quarters should also be butt
al Payuesvie. Lake George, Forest City,
| Hutchinson, Glencoe, New Auburn, and other
towns on and within the line north of the Min.
nesota river, and thence by way of, or near
New Ulm, Madela in WatOnwan county. and
Paramount, in Martin county, and SO on TO the
Iowa lue.
| Al present al of the portion of the State
west of the Big Woods, is S enc of desola.
ton, and abandoned by the settlers.
| Mr.. ROGERS introduced joint resolu.
ton authorizing the Quartermaster-Gen era]
| to contract for the cutting of 1000 tons OF
| hay, and delivering the same at convenient
| points for the use of the military service
this winter.
The resolution had its several readings
and was Immediately passed.
Mr.. PORTER, from the Committee on
Indian Affairs, introduced memorial to the
Secretary of the interior, to use the annu.
ity of the Sioux to indemnify those who
have lost by the Sioux ravages, which was
read and referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
The House then went into Committee Of
the Whole on the Militia bill, which was
considered the rest of the forenoon, and on
the rising of the Committee, the House ad.
journed till clock.