Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-03-11
Gov. Bushfora and 1rr. KisbOurn'. Testi-

/ Gov. HaslE0ra aus 1Er. kisbOurn's Eesti
/ niouy.
| On Saturday we briefly alluded 10 the current ri
mors respecting the nature of Mr.. kiibourns test
m0ny before the investigating committee. Since
! then we have heard some further details. These 70
/ to excupate GOV. Bashfurd from the charge of bri
berry. 1t is reported that Mr.. kilbOurns testimony
distinctly denied any ompIcity between himself Of
! the c0mpauv-to the best of his knowledge and be
lief-Hud Gov. Bashford, by which the latter in
/ hueuceG IN signing the bill comforting the NOrtf
! " Western Grant upon the Lacrosse Company. Priol
to the approval of that bill there intimatior
from himself, any member Of the Company as fsl
as he had ser known heard to the Governor that
he should receive anything from them. Mr.. Kilbourn
believed that the Governor signed tie bill without
1 expectation If favor reward
Tie Company, il would SEEM afterwards resolved
! upon making tie Governor a present. An eXtrHv
agan opinion prevailed i'll relation to the value OF
the grant. The Company teS rich They were elated
with success Iheywese awa-e-or thought they were
aware that Gov. Bashfurd not friendly TO them
His whole course, during the tendency of the sirug
Gle for the grant indicated that be felt little friend
ship for heIr confidence in the integrity of THEN
purposes They wished to gain his good will. The
good friendship of the Executive was important II
them 1t seems therefore, 10 have been under tho
influence of motives OF TINS character that the Com
pauy through Mr. Kibourn offered him, free
and unconditional gift, $50 o0bin La Crosse bonds
| The gift was accepted. To say the least the &C
ceptancc was an improperly. II placed the Gov
ernor in re aions with with amaInmoth corporation
] inconsistent with that impartial and independent
position which should be occaped by the Executive
! of the State. But 1t was sore temptation, Gov
! BashforI was poor. The bonds were then regard
ed as equal in value to that amount IN cash
I The prospect WIS that they would improve rather
( than diminish in value. That amount of bonds Wal
then deemed worth an annuity 81 from 81 600 to -,
COO These facts j. is true, are no excuse for the
Governor but ii correct, they are cXtenuating cir
lcumstauces They take away from the transaction
the darker STAINS ot corruption. They mitigate III
character II may well be doubted whether unde
he
ed honorable in ali the ordinary business of life
men of integrity in the usual relations of society
( would hal done the same thing. Grant that AIRS
tides would not. he mass OF men are not cast II
that mould; and the circumstances of this transac
ton ii the statements here made prove substantial
iy correct, relieve Gov. Bashtord from great bur
den Of the stigma Of venaiity ana 6aSeness, which
would rest upon hle character IA that those tond'
were delivered To linn in pursuance of an under
standing had anterior to his approval OF the Liant
grant bill.
Atall events as personal friends Gov. Bashford
and as meabe,s OF the party winch has largely con
tiLcd In his integrity and honor, sincerely hop
THAT he will appear before the investigating commit
tee at I'm early day, and explain, II possible til
charges now hruitod about the state IN regard to TIA
approval Of that biz, and the subsequent matter
= CONNECTED herewith.
Ii is difficult fo- as after intimate acquaintanc
Of .ears with that gentleman, 10 believe that il
would cundescend to the preparation Of any act q
Stutially base ard veual. Other men, however
have faiicn as suddenly 8ud strangely But all th
circumstances of HE approx al q! The bill cOnerrln
. the North Western Grant upon the La Crosse Con
. many are against the idca OF his being influenced b.
tbs corrupt motive, with which he has been eharge Cd
The bill which hc vetoed, was one in the success
which the In Crosse Company felt deeper interes
than in that winch became law by his approya
THE latter was coutumcG to all The objections OF hl
veto All the Interests OF AIiw rank ee AID Madison
l. with those oftle whole district Of the Sjatencres
Is cd in the prosperity OF Ire La Crosse Road, con
bin,t. 10 ur-in. AIN 10 appToVol Nor was this al
t. The majority ct his friends IN the Legislator
went over 10 the support of the bill. Ithad becom
certainty shat If he vNfoed 1t, the representative
iof the people would pass il over his veto TWAS III
der these circumstances that he finally signed IL
T. bill but we have always believed that could he haI
had any efficient support IN The Legislature howe
- er meagre. lac would have vetoed 1t.
1t will be q matter Of deep regret with his friend
if itappears Jbat he even accepted present fro
E. tie La Crosse Company while IA office, Ii was u
pr right. Bur have already said the template
- was great Let every man bring the circumstane
home to himself Here was what appeared 10 be
competency for life offered freely, without conc
rs hon We cannot avoid tie conviction, that tho
ii sands and tens ei thousands, who will be ready
as iuin IN a popular clamnr against Coy. Basht0r
would succumo 10 a tenth part of the temptatio
p And vet there will be none more ready 10 unite
The cry Of. stone him Stone him. than this We
class IF men Before they condemn him, howev
before the missiles Of popular indignation q
launched against hiu--we ask the people to sd
pend Judgment FOR The time, TO hear and weigh ;
the circumstances Of the ease, and then II the fac
h are agaus. himf' han ttGt IS i7,tk0Hf san cast
\ fret Sf1De-- Hyr.}fSoN ,}olt~kGI