The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-02-13
Circular Of the Whis Members Of the
Legislature in relation to the disp0-
siti0n Of the Public Printing.

ofthe Public Printing by the presen
Legislative Assembly Of the Territor,
of Minnesota has, in certain quarters
given rise to such grave misrepresenta.
tion and Incorporate abuse, that Justice
to themselves, duty to their constituents
anl respect for the political party with
which they are associated, seem to re.
quire that the undersigned, the Whis
members Of the present Legislative AS.
sembly Of Minnesota, should notice the
rude and offensive imputations tha,
have been cast upon the motives which
governed their Legislative action in the
disposal Of the patronage incident to
that important question, and repel ac-
cusations dis6gured by grossness and a
fragrant departure from truth. This
they propose to do by plain statement
Of facts, without extended comment,
leaving the public to draw its own infer
ence respecting the propriety, policy
and integrity Of their action, and to
place its own estimate upon the manly
honorable and disinterested conduct OF
those who impugn it.
Here, where many facts bearing upon
the matter, are to a certain degree pub
lie, it would be sufficient for the vindi-
cation Of the undersigne to name their
accusers; but as abroad, the most repre-
hensible means have been used for in
fuencing public opinion, natural de-
sire for the appreciation Of the honorable
men of the party with which they are
connected, and to be deserving of which,
is tho dearest ambition Of their hearts,
induces the undersigned to vir.dicate the
truth of history, and to correct misera-
bic misstatcments and disgraccful infer
ences, under which otherwise they
should remain quiet-feeling assured
that the character of the men engaged
and interested in their manufacture and
circulation, would render such charges
harmless to themselves, and powerful
only in their recoil They do this the
more willingly, as a few well meaning
men even, without, however, very sound
practical judgments, apparently uncon-
scious that they are facile tools of GER
tain political opponents who are selfish
in their ends, and unscrupulously cor
rupt in their means, believing them
selves to be as "harmless as doves" and
feeling, no doubt, quite sure, they are
"as wise as serpents," have joined in the
crusade of defamation, and enlisted in
the disputation of hatred, as if it were a
pleasant pastime, creditable to their sa-
gacity and to the soundness Of their po-
litical principles.
AT the opening of the present session
Of the Legislative Assembly, three
presses appeared as candidates for the
public printing--thc minnesota Pho
neer, processing attachment to the in
terests of the Territory, and indifference
to national politics--the minnesota
Democrat, a journal which had been es-
tablished but few weeks, edited and pub
lished by d. A. Robertson, a stranger in
the Territory, and partisan of an ultra
and stereotyped stamp, and the "Minne-
sofa Chronicle and Register" claiming
10 be the Wing organ, edited by Mr..
L. ). Henniss, who in Il circular issued
shortly after his arrival in the Territory,
dated Dec. lst, 1850, states that he
was formerly connected with the Unit
ed States Gazette, and more recently
with the Courier and Inquirer of New
Y IOrk and the North American of Phila-
delphla; and is well and favorably
known as an experienced and accomplish
ed Wing Editor" Of the claims which
the latter journal, under the editorship
of MIR. Henniss, had upon the undersign-
ed, as Wing Representatives in the
the sequel will show. On
arriving at the seat Of Government the
undersigned found as special champions
of the Chronicle and Register, Mr..
Henry M. Rice, recently largely engag-
ed in the Indian trade; Mr.. David Ohm
sted subordinately occupied in the same
business; Mr.. Robertson, Editor ofthe
Democrat, and Mr.. VIM. Hollinshead,
an attorney reputed to be under the
pay of Mr.. Rice, and an unsuccessful
applicant for the Winnebago Agency
Mr.. Hollinshead professed to be a
Wing, though the undersigned found him
exceedingly clamorous for the election
Of Mr.. Edmund Rice, a Democrat, to the
Spcakership Of the House, and learned
that he had formerly been connected
with the Native American party in Phil
adclphia, and had voted for Mr.. Polk in
1914. But that such scheming and un-
Democrats as Messrs. Ohm
sted and Rice-politicians never particu-
larry noted for charity or liberality to
political opponent, should take an active
and ardent interest in the Election as
public printer of ian experienced and
accomplished Wing editor" certainly
excited in our minds distrust and sus-
picion. i--
1t further appeared that Mr.. Olmsted,
in the summer Of 1850, during the can
vass in which he was a candidate for
Congress, purchased the Chronicle and
which, at the time, was in
hands unfavorable to his election, for
the sum Of S2i00, Of which $500 was
paid down, and Of which the balance
has not yet been paid. That. subse-
quenlly, he sold the paper to Mr.. c. j.
Hennis for the sum Of S3OOO-a modest
advance Of $900--of which $1,000 was
paid down, and credit given for the
y - al = ~