The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-23
A GROSS ISLANDER REFUTED.

WASHINGTON, July %, 1853
All who are acquainted with the proceedings of the
Senate on the admission Of the senator's from Minnesota
to their seats will remember that lots drawn by
them to determine the classes to which they should be
assigned the term of class ending on the 4th of
March, 1859, Of another the 4th of March, 1861 and
Of the other on the 4th Of March, 1868 It will also be
remembered that Gen. Shields drew the lot which gave
him the shortest term and Mr. Rice that which gave him
the longest term AS before tho drawing, there
senator less in having the shortest than in
each of the other classes it necessary in order to
equaze the classes that the shortest term should be
first filled therefore, both the senators from Minnesota
drew that term and 1T fell to the lot of Gen. Shields
All the classes being then equal it next to be deter
mined by another drawing to which OF the two other
classes Mr. Rice should be assigned it fell to his lot
to be placed in the class having the longest term.
In an extract which have seen, from Northwestern
paper it is asserted that in order to to Mr. Rice
the longest term with view to dishonorable object
to be accomplished promoted by his votes the Vice
President had placed in the ballot box for tho first draw
ing two papers both marked alike for the shortest term
one Of which was drawn by Gen Shields and that the
Vice President then placed in the bllotbox for the draw
ing for the two other classes two papers both marked
alike for the longest term Of which was of course
drawn by Mr. Rice and that by this trick Of the Vice
President he secured to Mr. Rice the longest term and to
Gen. Shields the shortest term. s
This infamous accusation against the Vice President
would seem too absurd to gain credit in any quarter
But as know better than others that it is wholly I'M
true it appears most proper for me to expose its alsy
That may be best done by the following extract from the
Journal of tho Senate Of the l4th of May last contain
ing the proceedings referred to- which shows that the
Vice President had nothing to do with them; that he
did not prepare or put into the ballot box the papers
which were to be drawn and that the charge against
him is altogether unfounded
Agreeably to plan reported by the Committee on the
Judiciary and agreed to by the Senate the papers which
indicated the classes to which the senators from Mime
to be assigned prepared and put into the
ballot box by the Secretary, and the drawing took place
at his table, on which the box had been placed, and
where the senators Minnesota for the purpose
of drawing The Vice President was in his usual seat,
which above and feet removed from the Secreta
RVS table that any interference with the drawing
tho part of the Vice President would have been imposs
be The preparation of the papers to be drawn the
drawing them out and in fact, the whole proceedings,
open and public presence of the Senate and Of
merous spectators The Vice President only locker
on his duty not requiring anything to be done by him.
The proceeding was moreover In all respects similar to
what had been done all similar occasions from the be-
| ginning Of the government
AsBURY DIcKINs.
Secretary Of the Senate,
Extract May, 1851
Mr. Bayard, from the Committee the Judiciary, to
whom WINS refprrsd resolution of the Legislature Of
Minnesota in joint convention, reported the following
resolution which considered by unanimous consent
\ and agreed to:
Ro That the Senate proceed to ascertain the classes
| In which tho senators from the State of Minnesota
shall be inserted In conformity with the resolution of the
14th OF May 1889, and the constitution requires
On motion by Mr.. Bayard,
! Oydrd, That tho Secretary put into tho ballot box
two papers OF equal Size, Of which shall be numbered
one and tho other shall b blank Each of the senators
OF the State Of Minnesota shall draw out paper and
the senator who sha draw the paper numbered one shall
be inserted in the class Of senators whose term OF service
will expire tho Sd day Of March, 1859.
That the secretary then put into tho ballot box two
papers Of equal sxe of which shall be numbered c
and the other shall be numbered A Tho other senator
shall draw out paper II the paper dra IN be num-
berd oo the senator shall be inserted in the class OF SEN
aors whose terms Of service viii expire the third day Of
March, 1861 and II tho paper drawn be numbered tire
the senator shall be inserted In the class Of senators