Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-09-16
COL. COLLINS AT SOUTHPORT.

COL. COLLINS AT SOUTHPORT.
The wing nominee Colonel Coll ms, vs.
tied his friends at this place on Thursday
last; in the evening he gave speech at The
School House. II nor our purpose 10 treat
the Coils effort unfairly, but inasmuch as he
invites the people TO canvass his public acis,
we purpose TO call attention 10 some of The
topics which he introduced 10 his auditors.
His remarks in relation to the natural re-
sources OF our Territory and the productive
ness Of our soil; the necessity Of harbor and
river Improvements; the selling of the min
eral lands, &c. &C., were all well enough
Mr.. Collins said that he bad seen il stated
in this paper, that he had been opposed TO
an investigation of the affairs ofthe Mineral
Poin, b INK, aud attempted TO refuie the as
set on bygiving history of the proceedings
had in the premises, in The legislative as
sembly of which body he was member al
the time referred to. Whether MIR. Collins
| fairly eXbonerated himself rom the charge,
we leave the public 10 Judge after giving
the following statement of the transaction,
as it appears from tie public documents.
A resolution was introduced in the Coun
Gil Jan. 2I,1s4l, (Mr. Collins being mem
Der of that body relative to the examination
the Mineral Point Bank. The resolu-
ton was general in its character. containing
no specific matters of examination. Hon.
VIM. Bullen, then member Of The same
body from this county moved the following
amendment to the resolution :-''and that
said committee be directed TO ascertain, If
possible, either by The examination of The
stock ledger of the Bank, or otherwise, who
are the stockholders Of said Bank" Tbs
amendment was opposed by Mr.. Collins, he
voted against ii,and it was lost Mr.. c. says
his reasons for voting against this amend
mcut we're, that the resolution being gene.
raj as 10 the investigation, the committee
lad the requisite instructions TO extend their
examination as far as they chose, without
specific instructions as 10 any given matter.
But let US enquire what was the primary OBJ
Get Of the specific instruction contained in
he amendment? Judgments had been
obtained against sund,y individuals, who
were suspected Of being large holders OF
stock in the Bank, and it was believed the
Bank was used as a cover for concealing the
property Of debtors. For example "a bea-
Wy Judgment had leen obtained az inst Jas.
D. Doiy by Moses Nj. Strong the Territorial
Attorney. The Sheriff into whose han Is
the execution was given informed MIR.
Knapp, the Cashier of the b INK, that he
wished TO levy on the stock of Doty, and re-
qncstcd to be shown the stock book in or
der TO make the property levy. The
Cashier refused TO exhibit or disclose any
Thing in relation to the stockholders, (see
Report of Committee Council Journal page
357.) 1t was in order 10 reach snch and
similar cases, that rendered it absolutely ne
ccssary for the safety of the public, that
the stockholders should be known, and have
that particular instruction to The committee
of investigations; without such instructions
it was believed :he bank would refuse TO
disclose the information. This specific in
structon Mr.. Collins acknowledges he OPP
posed. A committee had been appointed at
the previous session to investigate the bank
without such an instruction; that committee
had propounded the following question: -
NV Il you exhibit 10 this Committee the
stock ledger of the Rank?" The cashier
gave for answer: Il decline exhibiting the
stock ledger, for the reason that | do not
know. tha, it would be agreeable 10 the prin
pie stockholders, to have publicity given
to their names as Stockholders, (Appen-
dix. Council Journal, page 3 A. Nj. CO.
! Inns knew that this essential information,
had once been denied, and hence il was rca-
sonable to suppose that it would be denied
again.
What would have been q more con
sequence in determining the character OF the
bank, than tie fact TO who were engaged
in il? bdt it may lie sad that this information
would have been withheld, even had the
committee received the special instru ction
before mentioned. This is by no means
probable; the bank was moi independent OF
the legislature; II Would not nave dared 10
refuse an answer to an enquiry, directed by
the law making power which created IT.
What were the real motives of Mr.. Coll rs,
for opposing this particular enquiry, we can.
no, say. Was it 10 screen Doly or some
other s,ockholder from paying his honest
debts? AT any rate, we leave il TO any Impair
tial man 10 decide, whether we have done
Mr.. Collins injustice, in what we have said
in relation TO his legislative action on The SUBJ
Jet of the Mineral Point Bank.
We are obliged to defer for wan, of room,
further remarks intended for this paper
relative to other matters referred to by Mr..
Collins.
Col. Collins says he has OceD mSrepre-
scented in the statement, that he voted a.
gainst an examination into the affairs Of the
! D. " L.