Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-10-22
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
On motion Of Senator Pillsbury, the senate
resolved itself into committee of the whole,
with Senator Macdonald in the chair.
The bond bill was taken up, the pending
motion being the Recommendation that the
bill do pass.
Senator Castle had thought to let the bill
pass without saying word The PROPOSE
tons it contained were fully considered, and
passed upon last winter, and the points were
therefore well understood But he
did, however, desire to answer some
of the arguments of the senator
from Blue Earth. The question had been
much simplifed, he said, since the action of
last winter by the decision of the supreme
court. He had voted for the measure with
the suppOsition that the very action which has
been had would be taken. The court distinct
ly asserts the power and right of the legisla-
ture TO provide for the settlement of that
debt, without the question being referred to
the people. This court is the court of last
resort, and its decision is binding upon every
citizen of the State.
The senator from Blue Earth conceded that
the bonds might be paid by taxation, but
denied the legislative authority to issue new
bonds for the settlement of the debt.
This statement Senator Castle controverted.
The legislature of state, he said, represented
tional limitations. That was uniyers ally
accepted proposition of law.
Another legal proposition by the senator of
Blue Earth Was, that the legislature is inhib-
lied from creating greater debt than $780,
600, and it is assumed it is proposed here to
create a new debt. This susposition is not
sustained by the facts. II is not proposed to
create a new debt, but simply to liqudate one
long standing, by paying certain sum agreed
q Sol If IN hQ hnn hold
state could, if it should elect, issue new bonds
for the full face value of the old debt. The
legislature possesses that power, and can if il
chooses make provision for the payment of the
bonds by taxation, or any other means il
might decide 10 be wise.
There were, the Senator said, two classes of
people who opposed the payment of these
bonds; one class who were inherently dishon
est, and another class who honestly believe
the debt was dishonesty contracted, and who
had the idea so firmly planted in their minds
they would listen TO nothing else.
The senator then briefly reviewed the
issuance of the bonds, in which be
paid a high compliment to tn
patriotism and integrity of Gen. Il. Il. sIb
ley, the then governor CT the state. There
was, he ssid, no question of the validity OF
he bonds. The bondholders had showed
their faith in their validity by offering to put
up two million of the bonds, to stand the de-
cision of any judicial tribunal selected by the
state authorities, the bonds to be destroyed If
the decision should be against them.
The senator closed with fervent tribute TO
the enterprise and vigor of the people of the
state, and the bright future in store for the
state. There was one dark spot, he
said, upon its escutcheou, a
spot this legislature had the power TO re-
move by daring to do right.
Senator D. Buck thought when the senator
commenced his discussion he was to give us
IA legal argument, but finding himself In deep
water, he slid off into general discussion.
winding up with q kind of Fourth of July
oratiol. He had spoken of the voice of the
people being the voice of God then why not
obey that voice, majority of 10000 of whom
had voted against any settlement of these
bonds at this time.
Senator Buck then took up and answered
some of the legal points advanced by the
senator from Washington, in which he went
over portion of the ground in his argument
Thursday.
He then argued that by the term the 'sbonds