The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-14
Adjournment of the Legisiature--A Brief
Resume of its Doings.
The Legislature adjourned Yesterday al

Constitutional limit. The important bust
ness OF the session was transacted within
the last ten days, a practice usual to Min
nesota Legislatures; and in the present In
stance we have no doubt with advantage to
the State, in the character of the laws that
have passed. Not that we advise hasty
and ill-consiaered legislation, but because
we think that the Standing Committees, as
general rule, periorm their duties Iaith-
fully and when they report bills, it should
be the exception and not the rule, to amend
their action.
By far the largest part OF the legisla-
ton was OF private character, as it must
be when the general laws become pretty
well established. One noticeable feature,
and good one, as evidence OF returning
good sense was the passage of several
laws for the repeal of city charters. The
cities of Saltwater, West Saint Paul,
Wabashaw, st. Cloud and one or two 9th.
ers that we do not now recall, have been
relieved from the useless expense of City
Government, and Will hereafter be organic
ed under the township organization or by
simple town charter. The increasing bur-
dens OF taxation, are leading to these fa-
vorable results.
But very few State Roads have been gu
thorized, the general feeling of the members
being that the Counties have had too much
of this kind of legislation in previous years.
One important road to the western part of
the State has been authorized, and hand
some donation of 1000 acres Of swamp
land granted towards its construction.
This road is to start from Madelis, in Wa
tonwan County, and runs to the westerly
liue of the State, in the direction of Sioux
Fails City. The object of opening this
road is to attract the emigrant travel
across it towards Dakota territory. II
most OF the State Road bills Wholesome
provisions have been inserted, preventing
any outlay of ia0ley until a vote is had by
TIE people 0! the Counties through which
the road passes.
The Railroad Legislation excited consii-
cradle interest On account Of the opposition
manifested towards the corporagors OF the
old companies, particularly of tire Minneso
ia and Pacific Company. The opposition
was directed principally at Mr.. EDMUND
RICE, the President of that Company, ara
urged upon the ground that having hereto~
fore failed in doing all that WAS promised,
there was good reason to suppose that his
management was bad, and if again in the
company. would cause failure. But the
fact that Mr.. RICE was the only men that
last year had accomplished anything Tor the
railroads had sufficient weight to ovarccme
the oppcsition, and to get the charter ex-
tended, although not quite so liberal in its
provisions as by last years legislation.
The transit Road, the Root River Valley
Road, and the Minneapolis end Cedar Val
ley Rod, all had their charters renewed,
and liberal provisions we're made concern.
ing the land grant. FROM what we can
learn OF the Railroad programme OF the
present year, we expect that the st. Paul
and Pacific Railroad will be completed be.
tween st. Paul and St Anthony by the
first of October next /; and probably the
Transit Road from Winona, for ten miles
west, duriug the present year. The amend
ed Charter Of the Transit ROAD requires
forty miles of the Road or from Winona
to Rochester, to be completed by the first
of January, 1865. We have not yet learn.
ed that there is any prospect of work being
resumed on the Root River Road this sea-
son. An effort will doubtless be made to
do something on the Minneapolis and Cedar
Valley Railroad but as yet there is poor
prospect. The opponents of the several
Railroads appear very confident, that the
roads vii! remain in their present condition
for another year, and that the recent Iegis-
lation is simply waste Of time.
Schools and School Lands have had due
share OF attention, the result of which was
that new school system has been origina-
ted, and for the organization of districts, q
director, treasurer and clerk, are to be
elected on the last Saturday of
March, in each year, said officers to
constitute board of trustees, who have
entire supervisions of the schools. The town
Superintendent has been abolished, and in
his place District Superintendent is to be
selected by the County Commissioners from
each of the Commissioner Districts, whose
duty it is to visit schools in that Commis.
sioner District, and to examine teachers and
give certificates Of their qualifications. The
distinct Bureau of State Superintendent has
been abolished and the duties of that Office
placed upon the Secretary of State, without
additional salary for such services. The
friends IF this hill saw It will work favore.