Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-10-19
3D0lGGtGI 81.
From the Wisconsin Argus.]
E4etser OF Gov. EbeVgey

In another column will be found our letter
to Gov. Dewey, and his reply. We publish
the correspondence, partly that others whom
we have heard express their dissatisfaction
with the course pursued by the Executive up
on the Sholes bill, may be informed of the
course he has marked out for himself in flu
ture. and Judge of it for themselves, and part
ly for defining more fully, our own position in
the premises.
After hasty perusal of the reply, just as
our paper was going to press, we expressed
our entire satisfaction with its contents; but
after a more careful examination of the eau
tious and somewhat ambiguous terms employ
ed IN some of its paragraphs, we are free
to confess that satisfaction has under
gone some abatement, though not to such an
extent, but we can, in the spirit of our motto,
" Union, Concession, Harmony" continue
Mr.. Dewey's name at our masthead. And
that we do concede something for the sake of
union and harmony, brief review of the let
ter will suffice to show.
Gov. Dewey declares explicitly that the
Constitution and all State contracts will be
faithfully maintained by him upon all occa-
sions This is, in substance, all we have
asked, and would have been entirely satisfac-
tory of itself, as guaranty OF future safety
but for knowledge of the fact that he did,
last winter, as we believe, and as most others
believe, violate both the Constitution and
contract entered into in behalf of the State,
and, as he says, ali in good faith, believing
that he did neither, and we have no certain in
dicaton that he has changed his mind, and if
he has not, of course a repetition of the act
of last winter, would not, in his estimation,
be violation of this pledge. That he was
sorely beset to sign the act of which we com
plain, there is no doubt; but that he did ii af-
ter mature deliberation, the following facts
will show:
About a week before The passage Of the bill
in the Assembly, the editors of the Argus went
and examined 1t, lit being then upon the Sem
ate fle,) and one of them Immediately con-
suited legal friend by whOm he was told that
the Governor would unquestionably veto it.
unless he should be taken by surprise in the
hurry of business and sign 1t without due re-
Election, and advised him to 60 TO the Govern
or and put him on his guard. He did so on
the same day, informing him of the provisions
of the bill, and not only so, but who the job
was intended for. should the bill pass, and Of
the political ends 20 be accomplished by IT,
and as a party interested in a contract which
would be violated by the act, claimed his pro-
lection, not only as faUor but as right
The Governor betrayed more of embarrass-
ment than surprise on the occasion, and only
remarked that he thought there was something
in the Constitution in regard to members of
the Legislature having an interest in such
contracts and if there was anything unconsti-
tutional in the bill, he should be likely TO find
il out About a week subsequent TO this in
terview, the bill passed the Assembly in
storm of wrath which would have done more
honor to Dame Van Wrinkle than to a legisia-
tive body. On the evening of the day upon
which the bill passed, we expressed to a mem
Der of the Assembly from Racine, Mr.. Rey-
inert, the free soil editor of the Northern
Light, our belief that the Governor would We
to the bill. He expressed an opposite opin-
ion and stated as a ground Of that opinion that
before the bill was introduced In the Senate,
he went to the Governor on behalf of the
friends of the measure ard ascertained what
kind Of a bill he would approve, and that the
bill which had passed was drawn up with
special reference to obviating any objections
he might have to it. Of course, we gave it
up that our friend from Norway was ahead of
US.
Another fact should be stated in this con-
necton. to wit: That prior TO the introduce
ton of this bill in the Senate, bill was
drawn up by Mr.. Sholes, similar in Its provi-
sions to the one which passed, but giving the
copv-richt to himself directly and requiring
him TO print, &c. This bill was silly circu-
lated among members and discussed in whis-
pers for several days. Whether or not it
formed part of the subject matter discussed
at Mr.. Reymert's interview with the Govern
or, we have no certain information but for
some reason, this bill was suddenly suppress
ed and the one which finally passed substltu-
ted in its place, giving the copyright to the
commissioners of revision or such person as
/ tIev should select, and Sholes log-roled it
through. From these facts it must be evident
/ that the Executive was well advised of the
measure from its earliest stages and had abun-
dant time to view il in all It's aspects and bear