Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-03-08

0D7The following is the debate on the subject Of
Vineyards offered resignation, and his expulsion
from the Council
Mr.. BRIGHAM rose and said
Mr.. Presdent-As | am the Oldest member in
this body, it has been thought proper, after con-
sultatlon, that | should submit such remarks and
motions in this would seem to be called for.
The author of the communication now your
desk and myself have each of us occupied place
In this Council since the first organization of the
Territorial Government. During the time we
have often differed in opinion with regard to meas
ures which have come up for the consideration of
the Council; but can truly say that during the
whole time have been associated in our legisla-
tive capacity, | am not aware that any unknd
feelings have existed betwixt us. | would not,
and | hope do not at this time, and on this occa-
sion entertain any. We should rather indulge In
feelings of sympathy. But, sir, by him the dignl-
ty OF this body has been most gross y lnsulted by
the of deadly weapon, which, until now, none
had reason to believe any its members ever car
ried concealed about their persons.
1t has, in the melancholy occurrence which tran
spired on Friday last, within this hall, been my
painful lot, well as yours, and every member
OF the Council, to witness scene at revolt
ing to every feeling of humanity, and sicken-
ing to the human heart-one which has imprinted
on this legislative assembly, upon the moral char
acter of this community and of the Territory of
members of this injured body, give to that stain
deeper dye, by permitting the author of the calam-
ty which has produced the painful sensations that
this moment pervade this house, and of the stain
that has come upon our moral character and our
common country, to select his own mode of dissolv-
ing his connection with this body? | trust not
for one hope the communication will not be read
from the chair, but it may be returned to its author
without reading | therefore move that the letter
from James r. Vineyard to the President of this
Council, communicating his wish to resign his seat
in this Council be returned without reading.
Mr. Strong said he believed he appreciated what
due to the dignity of this body highly as any
member and that his feelings as sensitive in
relation to the occurrence which had been alluded
to by the chair those of any for himself he
felt the deepest, the warmest dignatlon the
rage which had been perpetrated and would unite
With any member In expressing those feelings In
any appropriate manner. But Notwithstanding the
feelings he entertained in relation to the occur
renee itself, he thought the Council ought not to
let the existing excitement to operate upon them
as to permit their feelings to get the better of their
| Judgment Presumng that the subject would oc-
! cupy 1he attention of the Council he had given it
| his most anxious consideration, and had endeavor-
ed to divest himself OF all feelings arising from his
| relation OF counsel for Mr. Vineyard and he could
not bring his mind 20 the conclusion that the Coun-
| ell had any right to reject the paper. We have
been informed Che sald) by the President, that the
communca ton was signed by MIR. Vineyard, and
that IT is a resignation of his seat as member of
this body he had called for the reading of the
communication, but IT only for information,
and If eny gentleman objected he was not tenacious
of having II read. He considered that every MEM
| Der so long as he SUCH had the control of
his own seat and that he could resign it or not, at
his pleasure but soon as he did resign it, the
Council had no right to reject the resignation, his
connection with that body had ceased and they had
no further control over it, or him, not even the
| power to expel him, for he had no seat to be ex-
PEELED from.
The laws of the Territory do not provide how or
where resignation shall be made but it appeared
to him that the most appropriate mode was TO take
it to the Council-and the right of Mr.. Vineyard to