The Kanzas news., 1857-08-15
From the ST. Paul Times, 10th uit.
The Minnesota Constitutional Conven-
fioT1
An AUTHExTIc ACCOUNT.

an AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT.
As different stories have appeared in the
papers here, relative to the organization of
the Constitutional Convention, we present
to the world the following statement of facts
which though not exactly Official, is au-
thorized by majority of all the members
elect to that body.
1st- The election having resulted in favor
of the Republicans, the Democrats threat
ened that certain Republican members
.'should never take their seats alive, % and
that they would .by hook or crook" have
the organizing of the Convention.
Cd. Having assembled at ST. Paul, prop
ositions were made to individual Democrats,
to agree with the Republicans upor an hour
for assembling-no definite time having been
fixed by law.
3dSei sszs 1-ssctt- Wi
favor until near g O'Clock on Sunday night,
when the Democratic members in caucus
proposed 10 meet at 19 O'Clock III, on Mon
day 18th, and agreed to sign paper, con-
jointly with the Republican COMMITTEES TO
that effect. Such paper was prepared and
signed promptly by the Republican COM
mittee pursuant to agreement. and then pre-
sented to the Democratic committee for their
signatures. They quietly pocketed the pa
per, and sent back quibbling substitute,
agreeing mot to meet until the usual houri,'
mot the first compromise they have bro
kenit When the Republicans demanded
the mutual agreement they had signed,
they were informed that it had suddenly and
mysterioilsly disappeared.
4th. Considering this fragrant breach
of faith, and not desiring to put their hon
or to any further test, or to allow them
selves TO become again entangled in the
meshes of Democratic plot, the Republi-
can delegates convened at the Council Cham
der, In the Capitol, at IL o'clock on Sun
day night, (the Democratic caucus being
still in session at the Fuller .House) and
determined to remain in the building until
12 o'clock, noon, without organization, un-
less the Democratic delegates should be in
attendance before that time.
5th. Meantime, a paper was signed by Sc
delegates having legal certificates of election,
Rice County, to call the Convention to or
der at as early an hour on Monday, as
majority of those members should present
themselves at the place of meeting.
9Th. On Monday morning the Democrat
ic caucus passed resolution to meet for or
ganizing the Convention at 12 O'Clock, A.
NJ, and sent copy, signed by Judge Sher-
burne, as President, and G. L. Chase, (Sec-
retary and acting Governor of the Terrific
y, as Secretary, to the Republican dele
gates then in waiting at the capitol.
9TH. At precisely II minutes before 12
by the clock in the Convention Hall, (by
which Mayor Becker had pledged himself
to be governed, the Democratic delegates,
with crowd of their friends rushed into
the hall, and Secretary Chase proceeded TO
the stand to call the Convention to order
At the moment Mr.. Chase stepped into the
Speakers desk, J. W. North called the Con-
vention to order, and almost simultaneous
ly with him the Convention was hidden to
come to order by Mr.. Chase. Mr.. North
moved to appoint T. j. Galbraith, of Scott
Co. President pro. tenn, put the motion and
it was carried. Pending this, ex-Govern-
or German had moved that s'this Conven
ton adjourn until 12 clock, noon, to-mor-
row." Mr.. Chase Immediately put the mo-
ton and declared it carried. The Demo
cratic members-not to exceed forty in
number-then~ Withdrew. Meantime, Mr..
North had called Mr.. Galbraith to the chair.
The delegates (Republican) then remaining
in the Convention, were fifty-six in number,
who then presented their certificates of cleo
ton, were sworn in and took their seats as
members of the Constitutional Convention.
Having majority of the whole number of
delegates, and consequently quorum, the
Convention then proceeded TO business
Hon. st. a. D. Balcombe was elected Pres
ident, and permanent organization effected.
9th. During the next twenty yfour hours
it was positively asserted by Democratic
delegates that they should, at i2 O'Clock on
Tuesday, take possession Of the Hall. Ru-
mors of violence were rife throughout the
city. and some resident Democrats, who were
opposed to the revolutionary proceedings of
the Democratic minority, feared, they said,
that there would be blood shed in their ef
fort to take the Hall. In the Democratic
caucus at the Capitol on Tuesday morning
it was urged that they should take the Hall
occupied by the Convention-etp tpeaceably
if they could, but .fOrcibiy if necessary"
At IL O'Clock Mr. Chase came to the door,
and in the name of the Secretary of the
Territory demanded the Hall for the use
of the Constitutional Conventioni''
The President informed him that the
Convention was already in session in the
Hall, and that it would not be surrendered
to any other body.
At 1e O'Clock the whole of The Demo
cratic delegation came to the door and re-
eonnoitered. Secretary Chase said to one
of his friends, ssit's of no use; no man can
get possession Of that chair and Judge
Sherburne was heard 10 say, ''They viii
not weld, it is useless for us to attempt" !"
Mr.. German stepped inside the door, and,
addressing his brigade outside, said, 81
move this Convention adjourn TO the Coun-
Gil Chamber Which move was passed,
and the mover moved off with his Demo
cratic satellites. What 'sthis Convention
would have done if it had decided not to
adjourn, is question for Jeferson's Man
nal !