New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-22
THE GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN.

Next to the attempt to force upon Kansas Leg
slature elected by violence, stands the attempt to
force upon Wisconsin Governor elected by fraud
ulent returns
The proceedings of Barstow, the man who has
suffered himself to be placed in the unenvisble pre-
dcament of a man made Governor BY false re-
turns and false counting have been characteristic
A process Of quo warranto having been set on foot
BY Mr. Bashford, the gentleman really elected
Governor Of the State to inquire into the title BY
which Barstow held the office, that intrusive per-
sonage admitted for while the jurisdiction OF the
Court and appeared to answer to the suit under
the idea that his personal and political friend the
Attorney General, part OF whose official duty IL
was to conduct the prosecution, might manage so
to staye off matters that the Gubernatorial term
would expire before any decision could be had.
After time, however, it became apparent that
the Court would not permit this game to be
played, whereupon the intruder, Barstow, turned
round and pleaded to the jurisdiction OF the Court
A letter from Wisconsin, in another column, gives
some account of the argument and decision upon
that plan. The ground taken by Barstow was, that
the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Depart
ments of the Government were cO-equal, and that
therefore the Judiciary would not assume any
power over the Executlve--to which 1t was replied
that in this case no such jurisdiction was (assumed
by or (claimed for) the Court, which went no
further than to inquire whether certain individual
claiming to be the Executive, actually was such,
and if he should prove not to be- to compel him to
lay aside that assumption.
The Court having sustained its jurisdiction
Barstow. in q rage, sent letter to the Judges,
repeating threats which had been thrown out by
his counsel during the hearing that he would
resist any decree of the Court against him at the
head of the militia of the State and this letter
was also laid before the Legislature with mes
sage, in which the intrusive Barstow attempted to
influence that body to join him in resisting the
Court Not finding, however, the sympathy in
that quarter which he expected, he induced his
friend, the Attorney General to go into court, and
to claim the right to put an end to the whole pro-
ceeding by entering noile prosequi; but this the
Court would not allow him to do. Finally the
telegraph reports that Barstow has sent in resg-
nation Of his office, doubtless hoping in this way to
prevent an exposure Of the gross frauds by which
be got into the position of Governor, and perhaps
also expecting to put by this means some stumbling
block in the way Of the recognition of Mr.. Bash
ford as the person really elected.
AS to this policy of getting into Office by foul
means, and then setting up possession as right
which cannot be inquired into, the Administration
party welcome to try to their hearts content
in Kansas, Wisconsin or wherever they choose,
since we are very sure that they will find it a
losing game. This seizing upon power and Office
by force and fraud and then setting up possession
as complete title may answer elsewhere but
will not 20 down in the United States.