The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-01-12

WEDNESDAY JANUARY Q, 1855. |
The MEssAGE.-We received this 1ocu-
ment ct Z IL o'clock last evening, and at
about eleven o'clock it was laid before our
readers. Taking into consideration the fact
that this wes done without the assistance OF
sssteam, GAS and 500 rewards, with moth
ing but the assistance Of willing hearts-the
MINNrsoo1AN is still ahead-and is doing
toleyably well. r.,
We are indebted to T. M. Newson, ESQ.,,
Editor of the Times, for copy of the Pres
ident's Message, from which we issued ours.
Corrupt Exercise Of .Pswsr---Riceism "Purg-
ins'' the Legislature.
It is told US in English History, that when
Cromwell and his adherents had come to the
conclusion to arraign King Charles as trail
tor, they looked about them and found GER
tain impediments in their way in the shape
of sturdy, independent members of the House
of Commons, who could not be controlled by
the military power. So, very summary
mode of process was fixed upon by the IRON
willed leader of the Puritans: One Pride
a Colonel, if we recollect rightly, in Fair
fax's army-was selected to "purge" the
House of all "malignants," as the adherents Of
Charles were termed. Col. Pride proceeded
to the purging operation by arresting these
smaGgnants" and placing them under mill
tary restraint until the "Rump' that was
left could declare their seats vacant, issue
writs of election, and have the vacant places
filed by staunch adherents of the Cromwell
liam cause.
This operation is very properly termed in
History, "Pride's Purge"
A similar operation-though not in our
opinion actuated by motives equally disin-
terested and zealously honest for the public
wellfare-took place in the Minnesota House
of Representatives on Monday. The only
difference between Pride's Purge in the Long
Parliament of England and Rice's Purge over
at the Capitol on Monday, is that the former
was executed boldly and manfully, while the
latter was done sneakingly, secretly and I'M
derhandedly, after the tactics of the mid
night assassin.
The facts are simply these: Mower coun-
ty, situated in the remote southern part Of
the Territory, is entitled to one representa-
tive. The people there had no county organ
ization, but proceeded to vote at three pre-
cincts for representative. At the two east
ern precincts, Mr.. Covill received between
forty and fifty votes, and at the western pre-
cinct, Mr.. Vaughn received between seventy
and eighty votes. No return Of these votes
were made to the proper officer of the senior
county of the Council District within twenty
days after the election, as the law provides.
In fact we have no certainty that any such
return was made after the twenty days.
With a full knowledge of these facts, the
House, on Friday last, admitted Mr.. Vaughn
to his seat. But it was soon found that Mr..
v. was not of the "right stripe" Mr.. Co
will came into the city on Sunday night, was
taken into high mountain forthwith, and
'proyed up'' to be a Rice &ctionist, with
out discount" He had in his possession
or had manufactured for him after he came
here a certificate purporting to come from
the Register of Deeds of Houston county,
dated on Sunday Dec. Both, stating that he
(CovilD was the duly elected member for
Mower. . ~.
When the House met on Monday after
noon, and during the confusion incident to
the members taking their seats, the Speaker
pro tem--one Hull of Fillmore county, who
has proved himself equal to any dirty work
the faction may require at his hands--had
Covill brought up to his stand and there adj
ministered the oath to him in whisper. A
resolution was forthwith introduced to Gust
Vaughn from his seat and award it to Covill.
In vain did the Republicans, aided by four
of the Democrats, appeal to the faction for
justice and right--in vain did Mobiles, Gal
braith, Buck, Ide, Holland, and Norris man
fully battle against the gross exercise of lille
gal power contemplated by the passage Of
the resolution. Its adoption was foregone
conclusion; Mr.. Vaughn was not allowed to
vote; it was passed; Mr.. V. was turned out,
and Covill took the seat.
This high-handed act gave the Riceitcs a
working majority in the House. We glory
in the fact that they have got that majority
only by DISTINGUISHING the voters of Mower.
The Republicans stood up manfuliy to the
work, and left their mark upon the record on
the side of right and justice. Their appeal
is to the people, and the people will see in
due time that they, as well as their corrupt
opponents, have their reward. We are con-
tent to go into the minority with such gal
liant and true band of Republican brothers
as we find in the. House. We bide our
time until this and other equally fragrant
outrages now contemplated by the majority,
are submitted in due form at the ballot box.
Atchison, Stringfellow & Co., had never bet
ter adherents on the Missouri border than
they could now find in the majority Of the
Minnesota Legislature.
The Deed IL Done.
The Rice faction in the Council Yesterday
refused justice to Mr.. Howell, the Council
lor elect from Fillmore. The following was
the vote on the resolution to confirm Mr..