The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-08-29
Mr.. GERRISH submitt,d the following

Mr.. GERRlSH submitted the following
WHEREAS, 1t appears by the report just
received, that Willis A. German, Chairman
of the Committee appointed by the Conven-
ton setting in the other chamber of this
Capitol to confer with Committee appointed
by this Convention, did, on the 25th inst,
while the Committees were in session, COM
init violent assault, without any Just cause
or provocation, upon Thomas Wilson, Esq,
a member OF the committee appointed BY
this Convention therefore,
Resolved, That the committee of this Con-
vention be requested to hold no further con-
ference with the aforesaid committee, SO long
as the said Will is A. German continues to be
a member thereof
Mr.. HARDING moved that the rules be
suspended so as to allow the preamble and
resolution 10 be considered now:
Which was a"recd to.
Mr.. GALBRAITH, if called upon as an
individual, he would be willing to say that
the assault reported was without any just
cause or provocaton; but at the same time
ne W, uld be unwilling to say so by resolu-
ton, without any record to authorize such
language. He would but give judgement be-
fore the trial. There should be some record
to show to the world the basis of an action,
Mr.. MANTOR moved, that the further
consideration of the subject be postponed Till
half past two o'clock.
Mr.. STANN RID urged present ACTION
He submitted, that the Committee OF con
ference, appointed by tie other Convention
we're now waiting in the Secretary's Office,
for the Committee on the part of this Con-
vention, and that in all probability the whole
subject matter before them could be disposed
of in an hour and a half or two hours. Both
Conventions wee equally anxious to get
through, and if anythlng was to be done about
this assault, it should be done at once.
Mr.. MantOr had made the motion in order
that the facts might be furnished for the rec
ord. If they could be reported at once, he
would withdraw the motion.
Mr.. ROBBINS expressed some indignant
feeling at the idea of gentlemen expecting
the Committee on the part Of this Conven-
ton to compromise themselves so far as to
sit again in Conference with the other COM
mittee whilst Willis A. German should con-
tinue to be member OF it. He was willing
to yield for compromise to any reasonable
extent for the common good; but his prin-
ciples, his manhood, he never would compro-
mise.
Mr.. STANDARD did not think his re-
mark had been understood. In all cases
where mems minds were apt to be excited,
he was disposed to keep cool. The reason
for present action which he had attempted
to assign was, that it the Committee of Con-
ference was to be continued, the matter would
be determined now, in order that they might
go on and finish up what remains for them
to do.
Mr.. ROBBINS submitted the following
substitute for the preamble of Mr.. Gerrish's
resolution
"WHEREAs, by the report of the Commit
tee Of the Conference first received by this
Convention it appears that gross personal
assault was made by Willis A. German, a
member Of the Committee on Conference
Apo nted on the part of the Convention
sitting in the Council Chamber of this Capt.
tOl, upon Thomas Wilson, member of the
said Committee appealed on the part of this
Convention, during the session of the SAID
Committee and yesterday" therefore, &c.
Mr.. FOSTER moved to amend by striking
out all after the Preamble, and inserting the
following:
'Re>olrel, That the Committee of this
Convention be instructed to notify the Com
mittee of the other body, that they cannot
meet with them as long as Wills A. German
the participate in the proceedings of the
Committee"
The first question was on Mr.. Robbins
substitute for the preamble.
Mr.. COLBURN was in favor of the origi-
nal preamble, because there was gross per-
sonal assault committed, and without any
Justification. If was ,justifable assault,
then there was no need of action here, and
we ought not to refuse to go into conference.
But, if the assault was not justifiable, then
our portion was correct. But he affirmed
that nothing could justify the assault, ex-
cept a similar case of assault first committed
by Mr.. Wilson. No words could Justify the
assault and it was therefore an unjustifiable
case; and the language of the preamble was
fully authorized.
Mr.. GALBRAITH again insisted upon
the facts going to record before this kind of
action by the Convention. The committee
were ready to give them. Mr.. Wilson was
present, and it would Only require the time
to write them. He might vote for the sub
stitute if its language were made to agree
with that reported by the Committee.
Mr.. ROBBINS thought it was in the lam
yuage of the report. lie intended t, make
it so, and would now accept the modification.
Mr.. SECOMBE. The difference was not
very great. The language Of the report was,
"a violent ASSAULT" and that of the pream-
BILE substitute, "a gross personal assault"
Mr.. NORTH hoped the correction would
be made. by consent, without consuming
time.
The substitute, as thus modified was
adopted.
The next question was on the adoption oS
Mr.. Fosters amendment of the resolution.
Mr.. SECOMBE hoped the substitute would
not prevail. The distinction was this. The
as offered originally, provides, that
the Committee appointed on the part of this
shall hold no further conference
with the committee appointed by the other
Convention, so long as Willis A. German re-
mains a member of it; whilst the amendment |
provides, that they shall not hold any further
conference, so long as Willis A. German par
ticipates in the proceedings of the Commit
zee Now he had under. TODD, that it was al |
ready planned, that Mr. Wilson ayd Mr.. Cor
nan should by common consent, retire from |
the Committee, and that four members on |
each side should go on and complete their la
Dors. He continJed: For one, Mr.. Presi- |
lent, l protest against any such &C
ion. l wish this Convention to take the
ground, that they will hold no conference
With the other body, through their Commit
zee, so long as Willis A. German continues to |
DC recognized as a member of that Commit
zee. desire that they should put the mat.
er in such position, that the other Conven-
ion will be bound to show their hands,-to |
either justify the act of their leader, or dis
lain it. wish to put them upon the rec
,rd in full and bold terms wish to know,
IS a matter ofinterest to this Convention and |
o the country, whether the Convention sit
ing in the other end of the Capitol are pre-
pared to conntenance that act. I wish to
know whether they will adopt it as a part of
he policy they wish to inaugurate in the
coming campaign. If they do not mean to
ldopr the act, wish them TO say so. wish
them to come ont hat-footed, and disclaim all |
with it. The proposition of the
gentlemen from Dacotah Mr.. FOSTER allows
Willis A. German to remain on the Commit |
tee, to go about his private affairs, or skulk
as ne may to keep ont of the way of justice,
and relieves the Convention sitting in the 9TH
er end of the Capital from the responsibility
OF passing judgement upon his case. hope,
that the amendment will not pre-
vail, but that the original resolution will be /
adopted; and that this Convention will now