The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-03-24

TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 20, 1855

: - S-A~ - - hA hA4A4VO11 N1S
TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 20, 1856
=""------
Trial of ofAnti-Railroad Cap,ives-The Command
er-in-Chief, and Head of the sc Democratic
Gorman'' Party Arraisnsd.
The Railroad War is over, we trust an
think. The battle has been fought and VOL
Judging from present appearances. The "fol
lorn hope" of last August has become the viz
torious army. The victors should be magnar
mous toward the rank and file of the opposn
and now vanquished army, whatever may b
Its course of duty toward the leaders who have
at the promptings of the lowest passions of tn
human heart, attempted to deliver Minnesot
over to the fiends of Ruin and Desolation.
We have passed the Sabbath day since he
coming convinced that all was right and as W,
sit down to "say something"-readers are in
exorable, and We must say something-in com
ment upon the last acts of Congress connected
with the happy termination of the fiercest con
test in which we ever went forth to do battle
we feel. almost as though we should let even oul
chief prisoners-Generals, Colonels, Captains
and all-go out from their prison-house, and
mingle with the world again as freedmen upon
their parole of honor. Suppose We try how
this operation will work Let us call the roll
commencing with the Commander-in Chief Of
the late conspirators against Minnesota's pro.
gress and prosperity:
WILLIS A. GoRMAN! He promptly answers,
'here;" and stepping forward, presents copy
of the Washington Globe, of certain recent
date, with particular column on the first page
prominently folded outwards. He holds the
paper in his left hand, with the index digit of
his right hand pointing to line of "small caps''
running across the column, in these words:
"MNNEsOTA RAILROAD
"Read," says he, in positive tone, although
agitated. The Minnesetian reads
rom the House proceedings of Feb. 23d:
Mr.. CUTTING. rise to what conceive to be
matter OF privilege, and hope the House
will SO consider it. 1t will be rec0llected that
some time since the Committee on the Judicial
y reported in favor of dsapproving certain
'cts OF the Territorial Government of Mime
'ota. Amongst other reasons upon which the
House based its action upon that report. was
he statement that Governor German and the
Secretary OF the Territory were included in
he grantees under the bill which was disap-
proved. l have this morning received q letter
rom Governor German, in which he begs that
will bring the subject to the attention of the
douse as matter of justice to him. The letter
8 written in manly, straightforward and SIM
Die manner, which, think, is we'll calculated
% relieve him from any of the odium connected
With that legislation. And. as an act of justice
% Governor German, l think that the letter
nay be read, emitting certain passages.
Mr.. WENTWORTH, of Illinois. I see no occa-
lion for the reading of the letter, every body
Knows that Governor German was in favor Of
he other route.
Mr.. HAMILTON. Does the gentleman from
New York propose any action upon the part of
he House? l - :.
Mr.. CUTTING. No action at all. Isimply de.
'ire that the letter may be read -a5g
Mr.. WENTWORTH. Everybody knows what
he opinion of Governor German was. l OBJ
ect. :
Mr. CUTTING. am upen the floor then, and
will read it myself.
Mr.. WENTWORTH. If it contains any imputa-
ions on the men interested in the other road,
object to its being read.
Mr.. CUTTING. 1t does not.
The Speaker. Is there any objection to the
'eading of the letter?
MIR. WENTWORTH. If it contains any person
Il imputation upon Governor Ramsey, then l
object.
MIR. CUTTING. Not one word. I shall omit
one passage. ~
Mr.. WENTWORTH. object, if any part of the
etter is to be suppressed. 80 -a..e.
Mr.. Cutting. Well, give notice that shall
publish it as part of my speech. r
The following is the letter referred to by Mr..
Cutting: ..t ...... -:.-..
EXECUTIVE Dept, MINNESOTA TERRITORY.
ST.. PAUL, Feb. II. 1855.
SIR:--My attention has been called to brief
speech made by you on the report Of the Com
nittee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred
resolution of the House relative to the disap-
proval by Congress of certain acts passed by
,he Legislative Assembly and the Governor Of
The Territory of Minnesota. in which you take
occasion to say: Again, Mr.. Speaker. there is
another ground" &c. "When the
Committee Of the Judiciary came to look at
he names OF the person mentioned in the ter
'itorial act proposed to be repealed, who were
20 receive, DC, the committee found that one
If the Immediate grantees of the Government
vas the Governor of that Territory who signed
he bill," &c. Again: 'When, therefore, we
ind territorial act passed for the benefit of
Governors, &C., concerned officially in the pas
'age of this Co." &c.
The error into which you and your commit
ZEE seem to have fallen, is a natural one con-
ess; but, sir, my name and that of Secretary
aosser's were put into that charter as incorpo
'ators, without our knowledge or consent On
The contrary. Secretary Rosser and myself,
md our friends, opposed the charter of the
Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad Gonna.
ny from the day it was introduced, until it
passed into a law, and have opposed it ever
since. 1t was myself and Mr.. Sibley that drew
1p the bill (while in Washington) that passed
Congress, expressly excluding from any partic-
pation in the benefits of said grant, the Mir
nesota and Northwestern Railroad Company,
and all other companies. 1t is known that /
the charter as Governor, under a
written protest. By reference to my last mes
sage, you will see that recommend, espe cal-
ly, to our present Legislature, to memorialize
Congress to disapprOre the charter of the COM
pany.
The political parties in Minnesota are divided
upon this railroad question. The Democratic
or ''GOrman's party" as it is at times called.
heading the opposition to said railroad compa-
ny and its charter. And but day before yester-
day, sir, l vetoed bill of the present Legisla-
ture, re-enacting and amending the said Char
ter. which you have just disapproved.
Ienclose you copy of the veto message.
So far, then, from my desiring acts of the
Legislature for my benfit, my course has been
the precise reverse in regard to these railroads;
and all the enemies have in Minnesota are the
ch ampions of that railroad fraud!
As to the Transit Railroad Company" it
has no existence upon paper, and does not
amount to anything, for good or evil, whether