Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-01-22
AFRAID OF INVESTIGATION.

One characteristic, peculiar TO the present
Democratic (Barstow) party in this State, IS
that of stunning preventing lnqu1ring into
the conduct of our State officers If all was fair
| and honorable in the late State canvass, as the
friends of Barstow would have the people be-
Geve would not Barstow, the State canvassers
and their friends court investigation, and there
| by put an end to the suspicious of fraud, now
so prevalent throughout the State Instead OF
encouraging an honest, fair investigation of the
matter, however, they only exert themselves to
staye off, or prevent an inquiry into the conduct
of those whom it is charged have fraudulently
given certificate of election to VIM. A. Bar
stow They are unwilling to have the acts of
their party friends brought to the eyes of the
people, for full well they know that judgment
of condemnation viii be proncrnced upon those
acts as soon as made public.
A resolution vas offered in the Assembly on
the II th inst, by Mr.. kNowLToN, calling on the
Secretary of State for copies of all the returns
from the several counties, of the vote of the late
election, attested by the seal of the State
Fearing that those returns would not place the
State canvassers IL 4 very enviable position, the
resolution iedef,tely postponed by a strictly
party vote. We have heard several Democrats
in this place express desire to have the ques-
ton of the honesty of the State canvassers fair
ly tested. Whether such persons will be salts
fed with Mr. SMITHS vote to indefinitely post
pone this resolution, and thereby keep the facts
from the people, we leave them to decide for
themselves
In the Senate, on the 10th, Mr.. BARBER, of
Grant, moved that +" that portion of the Message
which reads as follows - II is again obligatory
upon to comply with that provision of our
Constitution, which requires the Governor to
communicate to the Legislature the condition of
the State, and recommend for consideration, such
measures in his judgment are expedient,' be
referred to the Judiciary Committee, and that
said Committee be instructed to examine all re-
turns in the office of Secretary of State, of votes
east for the office of Governor at the last gener-
al election, and to report the whole facts to the
Senate for its consideration.
Mr.. Dunn had no objection to the reference
but opposed to the instruction given. He
considered, the matter was now before the
Supreme Court for investigations it was highly
improper for the Senate to take cognizance of
it.
"AIr. Barber thought it matter of some con-
sequence to know who is Governor of the State ::
and he claimed that it was his right to know
who had received the most votes and who was
Governor If there We're returns in the Office
of the Secretary of State, showing Mr.. Barstow
TO be elected, he certainly was not the Governor
individuals, having perfect right to see the
returns, had applied to see them, and had been
refus d on the ground that they were not fit to
be seem If they were not fit to be seen they
were not fit to be canvassed. Mr. B. claimed
the right to see the returns and the envelops in
which they came. He should not feel bound to
recognize Mr.. Barstow as Governor because the
matter was under investigation in the Supreme
Court unless he had the most votes and he
claimed the right of the Senate TO ascertain this
fact.
Mr. Kelsey said he was present when the
Secretary of State is alleged to have said the
returns not fit TO be SEEN, and that no
such language was used.
" Mr.. Dunn did not understand the position
Of the Senator (Mr. Barber.) If the Secretary
of State had refused to allow members TO see
any papers in his office, which they had right
TO see, he (AIr. DUNN was ready to investigate
the matter, and go with the Senator to the Sec
retarys office for that purpose
The motion carried in Committee and
reported back to tie Senate, and adopted as
follows:
VI" AYEs-AIessrs. Adams, Barber, Clement,
Cobb Dexter, Giles, Harvey, Mills, Pier,
Smith, Sholes, Sutherland, Taylor and Worth
ington-l4
" NoEs-Messrs. Barnes. Dunn, Fitzgerald
Gernon, Gill, Radley, Kelsey, ONeil and We'll
10"
Here again, 1t is instructive TO remark that
every democratic Senator, with one exception.
(Mr p. H. Smith,) voted against the motion, or
IN Piain language, to suppress investigation
The Judiciary Committee consists Of Messrs.
Taylor, Barber, Dunn, Smith and Cobb. and we
have no doubt they viii make a thorough ex-
animation, and faithful report.
!