Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-02-14
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN the Senate

Senate, there was any such recognition. think
there is a difference between that action which
simply implies the existence and continuance OF
the Government and action which would have
| declared Barsto,o Governor; the former of which
the Senate did. and the latter of which it did not
The point is, az to the effect of the Senate upon
the question, (which is governor" This is the
| point-and on it have asked or any person
else, who might choose to answer 1t, topolnt out
something of advantage to Bashford, or preJu-
dice to Barstow, as resulting from the action ne
would have had from the Senate, and look over
his last communication to find this information
The most | can find, however, and all can find,
| is this: that action would have furnished less
apology for delay in testing the matter before
the legitimate tribunal" Legitimate! thank
thee, i -, for teaching me that word. The ac-
ton of the "illegitimate' one. "Most lame and
impotent conclusion" Ho,c FASTENED the decis-
ionl Iapprehend the acutest mind would fail
to tell the "ho,e!' The Court will go forward in
its duty, and make its decision, which decision
win not be affected, either in time or character, by
any Legitimate action of any kind. Iii at least
no compliment to the Court to assume otherwise
! And - assumes that there has been "submis-
sion and humiliation Don't he know that a
Contest" is going forward on the only "tegaa-
mate battle field which presented itself, and that
there is no submission, no humiliation? Don't
he like the organization of our government, which
has provided tribunals where such disputes as
row exist can be peaceabiy settled Does he
want revolutions first, and courts afterwards !!
WHY not try the Courts first, and accept revolu-
ton when It cannot he helped 1t was the very
fact that contest was going forward, and that
no compromise or submission was intended, be-
fore the legitimate tribunal, that led the Senate
to refrain from all illegitin.ate action, it being
likely if the matter had not been before that tri-
bunal the Senate might have felt necessity for
inaugurating revolution.
| Nor is the comparison made with the L. S.
| House of Representatives, good one. That
body was engaged in a business peculiarly its
own, and business that no other body could do
| or perform. Such was not the case with the Sen
ate on this question. 1t could neither make nor
unmake the Governor 1t would have been fac.
tious because its action was not legitimate, and
could have accomplished nothing-that of the
House of Representatives was not factious, be-
cause its action was legitimate and did accom-
pish great deal. 1 apprehend even y" can
see the difference.
"a suspension, lat least for time, ""in matters
of legislation, is what was wanted. Bashford 5
friends hope for a decision from the Court, during
the June term. This is the earliest period at
which a final decision is expected by any person;
so that 80 who of course would not have had
the Senate back out of its position when once ia
ken, wanted a suspension until that time. This
would have been exceedingly interesting and prof
liable. The Assembly would not have adjourn
ed, so that we should have had the thirteen Sen
aors sleepess at their posts, from the first of IAN
uary to the last Of June, marching every third
day to the capitol, and solcmnly adjourning, and
! performing no other function whatever, except
drawing for this solemn and important service,
their regular pay from the Treasury. And all
this time Barstow would have been snrgly en-
sconced in the Executive office, relieved of the
duty of examining tedious and unintcresting
bills, in no wise disturbed, with of his func-
tons impaired, watching this solemn farce of Re-
publicans marching up hill and then marching
down again, for SIX weary months and perhaps
twenty-four of them. This would certainly have
been interesting, and particularly when we keep
i'll view the main point-that it would in no re-
spect have influenced the question before the
Court either as to time or character 1t seems to
me that -" don't shine with his usual lustre on
this question.
But then, he says, the case is very clear.
SO it is; which is the best reason in the world for
peaceaby awaiting the decision of the Court. II
81 is so confident there can be no two opinions
about it, why his impatience and haste! In such
a plain case, certainly the Court will right the
wrong. If, then, he has no doubt as to the legal
hg of Barstow's acts, (as he seems to have nome
while he exercises the functions, why counsel
useless and expensive proceedings Andif fac
ton and disorganization already existed in the
Executive branch of the Government, would it
have mended the matter to introduce faction and
Reorganization into the Legislative? If il was
wrong for Barstow to be factous, would it have
been right for the Senate! And if Barstow is to
suffer the condemnation of the people, for being
factious would it have been sensible for the SEN
ate to have invited upon itself and the Republi-
can Party, the same condemnation, by faction on
its part! 1t strikes me the action he recommends
would have been faction shaking hands with fac
ton, while the action which had, was its
sterncst and most significant rebuke.
No legal impeachment exists as t" Barstow's ac-
ing as Governor. Therefore, repeat, tho use
less action e" counsels, as proper to have been
pursued by the Senate. could have resulted
only in condemnation to them, and ruin to the
party.
In conclusion, let me sugges.:-If = has any
influence with the County Treasurer, and the
County Treasurer should happen to be Of his way
of thinking that he whisper to him not to yecog-
ni-c the Government Of which Barstow is the
head, hut keep the County funds i'll his own
pockets. i am inclined to think that would have
more effect in influencing speedy determine
ton, than any action the Legislature might take.
| Or let me propose question. Suppose he were
County Treasurer, and the dispute which exists
was in reference to the State Treasurer, would
he recognize the right of either disputant in pay
ing the funds to the acting officer; or would he
conceive it his solemn duty. in virtue of what he
knew of the frauds in getting the acting function