The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume], January 27, 1860, Image 4

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

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STATE LEGISLATURE—-SECOND
SESSION.
Reported for the Pioneer and Democrat.
Wednesday, Jan. 18.
SENATE.
Senate opened with prayer by Rev. J. D.
Pope.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Mr. BARTHOLOMEW: Provid
; ing for a Court Commissioner in each or
ganized county, and prescribing their duties,
fees <fcc.
By Mr. BALDWIN, of Sherbnrne : To
change the name of Hamilton McAlpine to
William Hamilton McAlpine Archibald.
By. Mr. ROBINSON : To amend tLe
Charter of the City of Red Wing.
By Mr. STEWART: An act in ad
dition to au act concerning Land Grant
Railroads.
By Mr. ROBINSON : Prescribing the
duties of County Auditors and Town and
County Treasurers.
By Mr. McLAREN : Making judgments
in the Supreme Court a lien.
By Mr. STEVENS : To abolish capital
punishment.
By Mr. STEVENS : Providing for the
permanent location of the Seat of Govern
ment of the State of Minnesota. [The bill
authorizes the removal of the Capital to the
neighborhood of Kandiyohi Lakes.]
By Mr. HALL: Regulating the sale
of property under execution and mortgage.
FEDERAL RELATIONS.
Mr. HEATON, from the majority of the
Committee on Federal Relations, read a
long report on the resolutions which had
been referred to it, and submitted a series of
Joint Resolutions upon the subjects of sla
very, disunion, Ac. The resolutions were
read, and the report laid on the table, in
order to allow Mr. Hall, from the minority,
to make a report.
EXECTTIVE SESSION.
The Senate proceeded to the considera
tion of executive business, and after some
time spent therein, the doors were re-opened.
BILLS PASSED.
An act to authorize the formation of
Companies for the recovery of stolen horses,
cattle, and sheep, and the apprehension of
thieves, and to insure against the loss of the
same by being stolen.
An act to fix the time of holding the
terms of the District Court in Wabashaw
county.
Jont Resolution authorizing the printing
of all trust deeds, &c\, of the land grant
railroad companies.
A memorial for the occupation of Fort
Abercrombie.
An act to amend an act entitled an Act
to incorporate the Minnesota Bridge Com
pany, &c.
Joint Resolutions for an increase of mail
service on certain routes in Southern Min
nesota.
To amend an act, &c., to establish a
State road from St. Cloud to Breckenridge.
An act to legalize the resurvey of the
Town of New Ulm.
A memorial to the President of the United
States, in relation to the boundaries of the
Sioux reservation.
An act for an alteration of a State road
from La Crosse to Mankato.
An act to provide for the compensation
of the officers and members ol the Legisla
ture, being on iis final passage, Mr. COW
AN moved that it be referred to a select
committee, which was agreed to.
The bill for the relief of the creditors df
the State was referred to the same com
mittee.
Mr. McLAREN offered a resolution that
all bills which had been in the hands of
committees three days, should be considered
as in the possession of the Senate, and be
demanded by the Secretary. Laid over.
Afrer heating many complaints from
members about the delay in getting the
printing done, the Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE
Wedneeday, January 18.
The House met at the usual hour and
was opened with prayer.
l'he Speaker announced Messrs. Johnson,
Butler, Secombe, Kinkead and Shultz as
the Special Committre on the Apportion
ment bill.
Mr. SAWYER presented a petition for
a location of a State Road, sigued by A.
Nelson and others.
Mr. PFAENDER from the Emigration
Committee presented a substitute for the
bill providing for an emigration agent.
Mr. DONOHUE, from the committee
appointed, reported against the petition of
the Supervisors of McLeod county. The
report and petitions were referred to the
Committee on Towns apd Counties for in
vestigation.
Mr. MANN introduced a bill to regulate
foreign Insurance Companies doing busi
ness in this State. The object of this bill
is to guard against bogus insurance com
panies, by requiring agents to file statements
of assets and liabilities, and of other matters
necessary to show that the company is re
sponsible, with the State Treasurer, and
upon such statement, the Treasurer shall
issue a certificate to the Agent so filing to
take insurance. The bill was referred to
the Judiciary Committee without printing.
Mr. BALDWIN introduced a bill amend
ing the charter of the city of Saint Anthony,
which was read by its title, and referred to
the members from Hennepin East without
printing.
Mr. REHFELD introduced a bill to
amend the act refating to writs of attach
ments in Justice’s Courts.
Mr. STOECK presented a bill providing
for a rate of interest, making the legal rate
7 per cent., and forfeiting three fourths of
all usurious interest. Referred to the spe
cial committee on that subject,
Mr. VAN YORHES offered a resolution
providing for an appropriation of S4OO to
the Stillwater Military Company for servi
ces rendered in the Wright county war.
Referred to the Committee on Military
affairs.
Mr. SWEET offered a resolution that a
Select Committee on the Apportionment
Bill be instructed to report a bill dividing
the State into single Senatorial and Repre
sentative Districts, based upon population.
Laid on the table, on motion of Mr. Se
combe.
Mr. MANN introduced a bill proposing
amendments to sections 2 and 5, of article
6 of the constitution, concerning the Su
preme Court, making the Supreme Court to
consist of one chief justice and two assist
ants, but the Legislature by a two thirds
vote, may increase the number of associates;
and to give jury trials in certain cases of
mandamus, Ac., and to correct an omission
in the constitution, concerning the jurisdic
tion of the District Court in suits under
SIOO, involving title to real estate.
A memorial for an appropriation by Con
gress for the improvement of the Rapids of
tho Minnesota river, was finally passed a
second time.
FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.
An act to change the boundaries of the
Fifth Judicial District, attaching the county
of Goodhue to the Third District, and the
county of Scott to the Sixth District, came
up for final passage.
Mr. CLEVELAND opposed the final
passage of the bill attaching Scott to the
Sixth District. He understood the move
ment for a change did not come from the
citizens of Scott county, and he therefore
asked to amend to attach Scott county to
the Fourth District; but afterwards moved
to refer to the Judiciary Committte.
Mr. SWEET spoke against attaching
Scott county to the Fourth District.
Mr. GREENE, of Steele, stated that he
introduced the bill at the instance of Judge
Donaldson, of the Fifth District, and had
enquired of the parties interested as to the
propriety of the change. Judge Donaldson
had said that he had twelve weeks more
court service than either Judges Wilson or
Branson ; and that Judge Wilson was sat
isfied to receive Goodhue county into his
district.
Mr. SECOMBE said the constitution
provided that the Judicial Districts should
be as near equal in population as may be,
and on examination he found that the vote
of the Fifth District, last election, was
10,833, while the Sixth District did not
contain one third of that number of voters ;
and from this basis, argued that the bill
should pass in its present position.
The motion to refer waslost, and the bill
coming up for final passage, the vote stood,
yeas 39, nays 18. A constitutional major
ity not voting therefor, it was not passed.
Mr. SECOMBE moved a reconsideration,
which was carried.
A call of the House was then moved, and
after some members were reported in their
seats, the proceedings under the call were
suspended, and the bill again put upon its
passage, resulting yeas 44, nays 24 ; so the
bill was passed.
An act to change the time of holding
terms of Courts in the Fifth Judicial Dis
trict, was taken up for final passage, and
laid on the table for the purpose of having
its provisions incorporated in a general bill.
The House took a recess until half-past
two o’clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Mr. SWEET introduced a bill to abolish
capital punishment upon females.
Mr. MITCHELL called up the motion
to reconsider the vote by which the bill
organizing the county of Monroe was
passed.
The Clerk announced that the bill had
been abstracted from his desk without his
knowledge or consent. So no action was
had on the motion.-
Mr. SECOMBE introduced two bills,
the one changing the county seat of Mille
Lac county to Princeton ; the other chang
ing the boundaries of Benton and Mille
Lac counties. The two bills together effect
the same obje -t as was to be effected by the
establishment of Monroe county.
Mr. SANBORN introduced a bill to
amend the Statutes concerning the punish
ment of murder by hanging, providing for
executions to take place in the jail, and to
be private.
THE TOWNSHIP ACT.
Mr. ACKER moved to go into commit
tee on the Township Act, No. 13, which by
a previous vote had been substituted for
H. F. No. 35. The latter bill provided for
a collection of taxes by the County Treas
urer, instead of ,by town collectors; and
the bill substituted leaves the collection to
be done as at present.
Mr. ROBERTSON proposed to make a
test vote upon these two systems, and urged
that the bill providing for the collection by
County Treasurers, should be again brought
forward. The town collector system had
failed in Ramsey county, and he was in
formed that it had failed in several other
counties in the State ; and he believed that
the State government could not be carried
forward unless there was some change in the
present mode of collection. He believed
there had been a change in the minds of
some of the members, and that there was
now a majority in favor of No. 35.
For the purpose of a vote, Mr. MOR
RISON moved to amend Mr. Acker’s mo
tion, by adding, “that it is the sense of this
House that the Township Organization
should embrace in its provisions the collec
tion ®f taxes by town collectors.”
Mr. SANBORN felt that the only way
to secure the collection of taxes was by
County Treasurers. The only way to make
non-residents pay their taxes, is to make
the tax sales so as to have tax titles good,
and this could only be done by placing the
whole matter of collecting the taxes in the
hauds of one officer.
Mr. TROW made another sensation
speech about the mode of legislating by the
present body of men.
The yeas and nays were called on the
amendment of Mr. Morristin, as follows :
Yeas —Messrs. Aaker, Acker, Armstrong,
Austin, Baldwin, Bixler, Brooks, Burnham,
Butler, Caskie, Chadderdon, Clearey, Dayton,
Donohue, Greene of Steele, Hayes, Hulett.
Hunt, Letford, Meighan, Morrison, Pfaender,
Purdie, Rehfeld, Secombe. Sherwood, Shriner,
Shultis, Stevens, Stoek. Thayer, Trow, Wat
son, White, and Mr. Speaker.—3s.
Nays —Abbott, Abraham, Anderson, Arnold,
Cleveland, Fox, Garrard, Greene of Olmsted,
Johnson, Kinkead, Langworthy, Mann, Mantor,
Mitchell, Mitsch, Nettleton, Ozman,Robertson,
Roy, Sanborn. Sawyer, Shrewsbury, Stephen
son, Stewart, Sweet, Taylor, Tollmn, Van
Vorhes, O. Walker, Willey, and Wilkins.—3l.
So the amendment was adopted, and the
House then went into committee.
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
The consideration of the Township Act
consumed the remainder of the day.
The Honse then adjourned.
The Senate was called to order by the
President, and after prayer by the Chaplain
the journal was read and approved.
PETITIONS, AC.
By Mr. EVANS : From citizens of Blue
Earth, for a Ferry charter on the Blue
Earth river. Referred to a select committee
consisting of Messrs. Evans, Edgerton and
F. E. Baldwin.
BILLS INTRODUCED
By Mr. BALDWIN, of Sherburne: To
change the boundary lines of Anoka and
Isanti counties.
RESOLUTIONS,
The resolution offered by Mr. McLaren
yesterday, that bills which had been in the
hands of committees three days without re
port should be considered as in the posses
sion of the Senate, was adopted.
REPORTS.
Mr. FROST, from the Committee on
Towns and Counties, made a report, and
submitted a bill. Under this bill the gen
eral management of the business of the town,
the prosecution and defense of actions in its
behalf, the control of its highways and
bridges, the oversight and relief of the poor,
and the auditing of town accounts and ex
penses, are entrusted to a board of three
supervisors; the records of the town are
kept by the town clerk; the moneys of the
town are to be in the hands of the town
treasurer, who is also the collector of taxes ;
provision is made for the election of town
superintendent of schools. These are the
leading features of the township system.
The Committee have endeavored to remedy
the defects of the present system, without
altering all its provisions. They believe
that such a system of township government,
operating in conjunction with a county
system, under the control of a board of
county commissioners, not exceeding five in
number, will be most economical for the
taxpayers, as well as most in union with the
habits, convenience and wants of the people.
COUMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Mr. WELLS, of Fillmore county, in the
Chair.
THE BANKING LAW,
A bill for an act to authorize the business
of banking, in the State of Minnesota, was
considered. [This bill was introduced by
Mr. McLaren, and is the same as the bank
ing law of Wisconsin.]
Mr. COWAN moved to amend by stri
king out all after the enacting clause, and
inserting the words:
Section 1. That the act entitled “an Act to
authorize the business of Banking,” passed
July 26, 1858, and as amended in laws of 1858,
page 80, be. and the same is hereby repealed,
saving to the State, however, all rights reserv
ed and prescribed in said act to the Anditor or
other State officers or agents, in relation to the
control of the State over such banks as may
have organized under the said banking act.
Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and be in
force from and after its passage.
Mr. COWAN said that he had intended
to have offered this amendment after the
committee had passed upon the bill, but as
the committee seem to manifest but little
interest in its details, and as a number of
the members entertained sentiments similar
to his own, to save time he had offered it
now. He thought that the first question
for the Senate to decide wa3—Are banks of
issue required in Minnesota ? The quarter
ly reports of our present banking institutions
emphatically answered—No! He said that
the strongest arguments used before the
Legislature of 1858, in favor of establishing
banks of issue, were, that it would allure for
eign capital, afford cheaper exchange and aid
our merchants by legitimate accounts. It
had allured capital. Men of means and of
great financial experience had invested under
our banking law, but as long as the rate of
exchange ruled against us, (as great at some
periods of the year as 10 per cent.,) it was
impossible to successfully circulate our cur
rency. These men had been crushed by the
circumstances, and by the temptation offered
by the circumstances to brokers and others
to run upon these banks for immediate and
constant redemption. As a natural conse
quence, our soundest bankers had withdrawn
and are now withdrawing their capital from
legitimate banking, while five banks had
entirely failed, and now make no report.
He denied that our banks had cheapened
exchange, and he instanced the Central
Bank and the People’s Bank, to show that
the manufacture of paper money did not aid
our business men. The report of October,
1859, showed that the Central Bank had a
line of loans and discounts amounting to
less than S2OO, while the People’s Bank,
located at St. Peter, and which has the con
fidence of the people in his district, as well
as being well credited in St. Paul, reported
nothing under this head. He said we could
not manufacture money. Banks may be
found necessary to facilitate business, infuse
capital into active enterprises, and sustain
credit with credit, in large commercial
circles ; but he held that here in Minnesota
we must for a long time yet trust to labor
and its sure rewards, both for capital and
credit. The best system that could be de
vised—even this Wisconsin act, which was,
(he admitted,) safe enough in Wisconsin,
would not apply to Minnesota ; but would
be either demoralizing and unsafe, by driv
ing bankers to outside operations for profits,
or remain a dead letter upon the statutes.
He was opposed to taking up the important
time of the session, for which our people are
so poorly able to pay, in consideration of
this bill. He desired first to enquire if the
people who sent us here wanted another
banking experiment.
Mr. MoLAREN referred to the rapidly
increasing exports of the State. He would
agree with the Senator from Nicollet (Mr.
Cowan) that a banking law would not
succeed in this State until the exports of
the State should equal its imports. The
law introduced was a good one—it had
succeeded in Wisconsin, and he thought it
would succeed here. The past history of
banking in this State was not a proper
criterion by which to judge of the operation
of a future system of booking, if based upon
a good law. He maintained that now was
a proper time to establish a banking system
Thursday, Jan. 19,1860,
in Minnesota. We were becoming a com
mercial people, and our exports would be
more than trebled in the next two years.
Mr. COWAN hoped the matter would
not be pressed through at this time. It was
a matter in which the whole people were
deeply interested, and he wanted that it
should be fully and fairly considered. He
reminded the Senate that it would take a
two-third’s vote to pass a banking law, and
that he, in common with other Senators,
was not prepared to vote upon the bill
without further consideration.
Mr. M’LAREN said that the Senaet
had been in session over forty days, and that
few important measures had been acted upon.
He hoped this bill would be promptly acted
upon, and that Mr. Cowan’s substitute
would not prevail.
The substitute of Mr. Cowan was lost,
and the bill was under consideration for a
long time, and amended,and the Committee
reported progress, and asked leave to sit
again, which was granted.
COLLECTION OF STATISTICS
The bill for an act to provide for the col
lection and publication of statistics, elicited
a warm discussion.
Mr. ROBINSON opposed the bill, as an
entering wedge to enormous expenses which
would hereafter accrue in the publication
aDd collection of statistics.
Mr. COWAN made a capital speech in
favor of the bill. He thought such a work,
properly gotten up, would do more for the
State to encourage emigration, than by any
other means the Legislature could adopt.
Without some means to ascertain annually
what progress we, as the people of a State,
are making in agriculture, manufactures,
arts, sciences, Ac., we would be continually
groping along in the dark. He hoped the
Senate would see the importance of such a
work as the bill proposed.
An amendment was adopted, that the ex
pense of the book to the State should not be
over 15 cents per copy.
The committee reported progress and
asked leave to sit again, which was granted.
A bill to provide means for the improve
ment of a State road from Crow Wing to
Shayenne, on the Red River of the North,
was recommended to be read a third time.
The recommendations of the committee
were concurred in by the Senate, which
soon after adjourned.
HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.
Thursday, Jan. 19, 1360,
The House met at the usual hour, and
was opened ivith prayer by the Chaplain.
A communication from the Governor,
concerning a correspondence between Gov.
Sibley and E. M. Haines relative to an al
leged infringement by the Attorney General,
in preparing the notes and forms to the
Township Organization Act, as published
by the authority of the Legislature.
The Judiciary Committee reported on
several bills.
The Committee on Roads and Bridges
reported for the indefinite postponement of
a State Road Bill, which was agreed to.
The special committee on the Apportion
ment Bill reported several amendments.
The report was laid upon the table for
the present.
Mr. STEPHENSON offered a resolution
referring the claims of the St. Paul Cavalry
and Dakota Rifles, for services in the Wright
County expedition, to the Committee on
Military Affairs. Adopted.
Mr. SWEET introduced a biil additional
to the acts for the relief of Settlers upon
School Lands. The bill provides for the
late Judges of the Fourth District to com
plete the trusts undertaken by them under
the former acts, ir. their capacity of Judges.
FINAL PASSAGE
A bill regulating the manner of recording
Conveyances in unorganized counties, was
read a third time and passed.
The bill making a change in the time of
holding Courts in this district, was taken
from the table, read a third time, and
passed.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Mr. KINKEAD rose to a personal ex
planation, with reference to the report of
the Minnesotian and Times, of the debate
on last Thursday, denying that he used the
language imputed to him in the report.
THE TOWNSHIP ACT.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole on the Township Act, and discussed
it until the hour of recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The report of the Committee of the;
Whole on the Township act, having been
given to the House, the amendments were
taken up separately and adopted, as far as
to section 12, of article 6.
Section 12 was proposed to be amended
by striking out the office of the Town Su
perintendent of Schools; upon which Mr.
Acker called the yeas and nays, and the
result was yeas 35, nays 31 ; so the amend
ment was adopted.
Other amendments were adopted, and the
bill then laid upon the table.
APPORTIONMENT BILL.
The apportionment bill was taken from
the table.
Mr. SECOMBE moved to take up the
amendments of the committee separately.
Mr. DONOHUE objected that the pro
posed amendments were not in the posses
sion of the members, and they could not act
intelligibly on the subject, without having
the bill as amended before them. He thought
there was a disposition to put the bill
through without consideration.
Mr. MORRISON moved to have the
bill as amended, printed.
Mr. SECOMBE objected, and urged that
the House should proceed to the considera
tion without further delay
Mr. SWEET said the Committee to
whom the bill had been referred, had not
given members an opportunity to appear
before them, so that the bill could be amend
ed intelligently; and he did think that there
was an attempt at hasty legislation by the
House.
The motion to print was not agreed to.
Mr. SWEET moved to refer the bill
back to the Committee with instructions to
report on Saturday. Lost.
The first section wa9 proposed to be
amended to make the nnmber Cl instead of
60.
Mr. SECOMBE stated that the increased
number was to give one additional represen
tative to the Third district. In reply to
the charge that the committee having charge
of the bill, had been hasty and inconsiderate
in its action, he said that the committee had
been in session over an hour, and had given
the subject a thorough investigation, and
the committee were unanimous in their
recommendations.
Mr. GREEN, of Steele, thought the
action of the committee inconsiderate, but
he was prepared to vote at once upon the
amendments proposed.
Mr. ABBOTT said he would unwillingly
be obliged to vote against the bill, if the
amendments proposed by the committee
were adopted. He was satisfied his constit
uents would not be satisfied with the bill as
proposed to be amended by the committee.
After further discussion by Messrs. Sweet,
Donohue, Cleveland, Johnson, and Robert
son, the amendment was adopted.
The next amendment was to strike out
Kanabec and Pine Counties from the third
district, and unite them with Washington
and Chisago counties.
Mr. VAN VORHES objected to ’the
amendment, and called the yeas and nays.
The amendment was rejected by an almost
party vote.
The committee recommended a change in
the 15th district, so as to be composed of
the counties of Mower, Dodge and Free
born.
The 16th district to be composed of
Steele, Waseca and Le Sueur.
The 17th district to be composed of Fari
bault, Blue Earth, Martin, Jackson, and
part of Brown county, east of range 34.
Mr. GREEN, of Steele, spoke in opposi
tion to the amendment to the 16th district,
and moved to strike out that portion, which
was not agreed to.
Mr. GREEN, thought that if this amend
ment was to be adopted, the bill would be
defeated on its final passage.
Mr. TROW made another sensation
speech, defending the bill in its original
shape, and urging the House to proceed at
once to pass the bill in its original shape.
The vote was then taken on the amend*
ment of the committee, and it was rejected.
Mr. MITCHELL moved to amend the
first section so as to reduce the representa
tion in the House to forty-two Representa
tives.
Mr. SANBORN said he was in favor of
the amendment to reduce the representation.
The consideration of this apportionment
bill was with particular reference to its
economy. He thought there would be
better laws passed, and the expenses of the
Legislature would be reduced about one
half from the present system, which would
be a great saving to the people.
Mr. CLEVELAND opposed the reduc
tion of the House to forty-one members,
and gave as his reasons that his district
would not have a representative lor each
county.
Mr. COGG3WELL said that the Demo
cratic party in the last canvass had advo
cated the reduction of the members of the
Legislature, while the Republicans in their
platform were entirely silent on the subject.
As an individual member of the Republican
party he had taken a position in favor of a
reduction of the Legislature, and he had
been sustained in the position assumed by
him. He proceeded to argue, that the
reduction to one half was too great for the
best interests of the State. He was opposed
to the centralization of power in a few
persons. He thought the people would be
better satisfied with a large representation,
than with such a small one as proposed.
The yeas and nays were called for on
the amendment, and there were yeas 46, nays
22, as follows :
Yeas. —Messrs. Abraham, Acker, Baldwin,
Bixler, Brooks, Butler, Chadderdon, Clearey,
Dayton, Donohue, Fox, Garrard, Greene of
Olmstead, Greene of Steele, Hulett, Johnson,
Langworthy, Levans, Letford, Mantor, Meighan
Mitchell, Mitsch, Morrison, Oliver, Ozmun,
Pfander, Renz, Robertson, Sanborn, Sawyer,
Sheafer Sherwood, Stevens, Stephenson, Stew
art, Stoek, Sweet, Taylor, Thayer, Tollman,
Trow, Van Vorhes, H. Walker, Orange Wal
ker. Watson, White. Willey and Wilkins.—49.
Nays.— Messrs. Aaker, Anderson, Armstrong
Arnold, Austin, Burnham, Caskie, Cleaveland,
Hayes, Hunt, Kinkead, Mann. McDonough’ Net
tleton, Purdie, Roy, Secombe, Shrewsbury,
Shriner, Shultis, Temanson, and Mr. Speaker.
—22.
Mr. maved to reduce the
number of* Senators ia-15. ihVfea'd ioffl s■."*.
The yeas andli&ys were* ea3led> and jesijltgd'
fofkftysVyeas'3s, nays 37 ; . # .
• *Ycite 4 Caskie-,. jDliaider-'
aon. Ciehrey,* Donoh&e*, -Gairard, ilpriit. JKin-.
kead, Langworthy, Mantor, McDonough',
Mitsch. Nettleton, Oliver, Pfaender, Purdie,
Renz, Robertson, Sanborn, Sheafer, Sherwood,
Shriner, Shultis, Stevens, Stephenson, Stewart,
Sweet, Taylor, Thayer, Tollman,White, Willey,
Wilkins and Mr. Speaker.
Nays. —Aaker, Abbott, Abraham, Anderson,
Arnold, Austin, Baldwin, Bixler, Brooks. Burn
ham, Butler, Cleveland, Dayton, Fox, Greene
of Olmsted, Greene of Steele, Hayes, Hulett,
Johnson, Leavans, Letford, Mann, Meighan,
Mitchell, Morrison, Ozmnn, Roy, Sawyer,
Secombe, Shrewsbury, Stoek, Temanson.Trow,
Van Vorhes, H. Walker and Orange Walker.
Mr. SECOMBE moved that the bill be
engrossed for a third reading, which was
agreed to, by yeas 48, nays 23—the follow
ing members voting in the negative :
Nays Anderson, Armstrong, Burnham,
Caskie, Chadderdon, Clearley, Donohue, Kin
kead, Mann, Nettleton, Olivier, Pfaender, Pur
die, Robertson, Roy, Sheaffer, Shriner, Shultis,
Sweet, Tollman, White, Willey, and Wilkins—
-23.
So the House then adjourned.
SENATE.
Friday, January 20.
The Senate was called to order bv the
President, and after prayer by Rev. John
D. Pope, the journal was read and ap
proved.
COMMUNICATIONS.
Mr. WATSON presented a communica
tion from Mr. Morin, the County Auditor
of Freeborn county. Referred to the Com
mittee on Towns and Counties. [This
paper sets forth the comparative expense of
the Supervisor and the Commissioner sys
tem for counties. The County Commissioner
system cost $221.54; Supervisor $1729.92 ;
nearly eight to one in favor of the commis
sioner system in that county.]
BILLS INTBODUCBD.
By Mr. ROBINSON: For an act to
amend an act for a Homestead Exemption,
passed August 12,1858, and ill the Public
Statutes iu Chapter 61.
By Mr. ANDREWS : for an act to
amend sections 8 and 16 of chapter 104 of
Compiled Statutes.
By Mr. W ATSO N: For an act to vacate
certain streets and a lot in the town of
Albert Lea.
reports.
The Committee on State affairs recom
mended that the bill for an act proposing an
amendment to section 1, article 14, of the
the Constitution and providing for submit
ting the same to the people, be referred to
the Committee of the Whole.
The Committee on Judiciary recommend
ed that the bill for an act prescribing pro
ceedings against garnishees, be referred to
the Committee of the Whole.
notice of bill.
By Mr. ANDREWS : A bill to amend
the Grand Jury Act. [The amendment
authorizes the District Judge to dispense
with the summoning of the Grand Jury,
when it shall appear to hi 3 satisfaction there
is no criminal business.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
Various bills were considered. The bill
to provide for the publication of the general
laws of the State in German was debated.
Mr. WELLS, of opposed the
printing of any documents issued by author
ity of the State in the German or any other
foreign languages.
Mr. ANDREWS favored the provisions
of the bill for the purpose of information
necessary to be conveyed to those who did
not understand the English language.
The committee recommended that it be
referred to a Select Committee.
The bill to authorize the business of
banking in the State of Minnesota, was
amended, and the committee recommended
its engrossment.
The bill to provide for the collection and
publication of statistics come up.
Mr. ROBINSON opposed the bill, and a
discussion ensued, which was participated in
by Messrs. Andrews, Winn, Averill, and
others, and when the committee rose, it was
with the recommendation that it be en
grossed for a third reading.
The bill to provide for the compensation
of the officers and members of the legislature,
was recommended to be read a third time.
The recommendations of the committ e
were concurred in by the Senate.
Mr. ANDREWS offered a resolution
that the Governor be requested to inform
the Senate of the amount of the five per
centum on the sales of the public lands
which the State is now entitled to. Adopted.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
After the transaction of the usual unim
f»ortant preliminary business, such as reso
utions, notices, etc., the House proceeded to
the_consideration of the Senate file. A
memorial for the reoccupancy of Fort Ab
ercrombie, was referred to the Committee on
Indian Affairs.
BOGUS INSURANCE COMPANIES.
A bill for an act to regulate insurance
companies not incorporated by the State of
Minnesota, was taken up and passed. The
bill provides that all insurance companies
not incorporated in this State, shall make
an exhibit of their affairs, annually to the
State Treasurer, who, upon such exhibit,
shall issue to the companies a certificate
authorizing them to transact the insurance
business in the State. The biil is designed
for the protection of citizens against fraud
ulent insurance companies ; and is copied
from an Ohio statute.
A LIQUOR BILL,
The House resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole, Mr. McDonough in the
Chair, and proceeded to the consideration of
a bill to prevent abuse in the sale of intoxi
cating liquors, by disposing of the ardent
to minors, habitual drunkards, and Indians.
The bill also proposes to provide pure liquor
for the people of the State, or rather pro
hibit the sale of adulterated liquors.
In the discussion of the bill, Mr. Trow,
of Fillmore, gave his experience as a phys
ician, in a purchase he made of gin, brandy
and wine, which he showed to be of the
Minnie rifle stamp, eating through tin cans,
and leaving a residnum in the wine cask
which made good ink.
The question of Indian testimony coming
I up,' and-, aji amendment pending, making
shch testimony admissable, Mr. Abbot said
he wcfuld f< never vote to permit a thieving,
lousy, good for nothing, lying Indian to
testify against a white man.” Mr. A. is
exclusively the friend of the negro.
Mr. GREENE, of Steele,and Mr. DON
OHUE advocated the propriety of the ad
mission of such testimony, and letting it go
before the court and Jury for what it is
worth. The amendment permitting Indians
to testify prevailed.
An amendment offered by Mr. Purdie
was also carried, that no action should be
had, or recovery made, in the courts of this
State, for liquors sold in the State ! This
is tantamont to outlawing the liquor traffic.
Mr. TROW offered an amendment, au
thorizing any justice of the peace to em
power a commission of two physicians or a
chemist to examine into the purity of all
suspected liquors. A temperance speech of
the ultra kind, was rehearsed in support of
the amendment.
Mr. SWEET did not want the •* tasters”
confined to the medical profession. He
moved to substitute any elector, and thus
make the privilege of tasting the liquor
general. The amendment was adopted.
Mr. RENZ, (Teuton, whose lager ap
pears to be in danger) offered an amend
ment imposing the penalties of the act on
druggists selling poison.
Mr. TROW made an earnest speech
against the amendment, which was lost.
Mr. KIN READ styled the bill as un
necessary—impracticable.
Mr. TROW bloviated again.
Mr. ROBTRTiSON said he was in favor
of the objects of the bill, as far as it con
templated the protection of habitual drunk
ards, miners and Indians from the effects of
brd whiskey. But who was to determine
who were drunkards? Revenge, jealousy,
and other prejudices, might induce men to
3
Friday, Jan. 20