The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-09
Election Frauds The Canvass for
a5 ~ Governor in 1857.

- Governor In 1857.
The Republican presses, the Republican
Committees, and the Republican orators are
attempting to make capital for their party,
by representing on paper and from the stump
that the canvass of 1857, by which the
entire Democratic State ticket was elected
was fraudulently made. This promises to
be one of their arguments against the De-
mocracy in the present canvass. We shall
not stop to consider the charges in detail,
because that would be an endless labor, but
will simply endeavor to demonstrate by facts
and arguments, which have never been
refuted, that this cutlery is for political
effect and that while there is no doubt that
fraudulent returns of elections were made
in 1857, yet that INSCRIPTIONS members
of the Republican party are as responsible
for participation in those attempted frauds
as INSCRIPTIONS members of the Democratic
party. And further, that the Board Of Can.
vassers made a perfectly honest canvass,
according to the plan proposed by Gov.
RAMSEY and that no illegal votes were
counted and no legal votes rejected, the
enumeration of which would have effected
the result arrived at in the slightest degree.
BY section 81, of the schedule to the
constitution, The Governor of the Terrific
ry, (MEDARY) assisted by JOSEPH R. Brown
and THOMAS j. GALBRAITH," were authorized
and empowered to canvass the returns of
the election and directed to issue certificates,
to the successful candidates. This arrange
ment was approved, unanimously, by both
branches of the Constitutional Convention.
Mr.. GALBRA1rH was selected by RAMSEY,
as his immediate representative, and the re-
preventative of the Republican party, in the
Board of Canvassers Mr.. BROWN was
chosen by the Democratic members of the
Constitutional Convention, as the represen-
tative of their party; and the name of
SAMUEL MEDARY, the Federal Governor of
Territory, was united upon by both parties,
as that of an impartial umpire. The Board,
so constituted, was approved by both Con-
ventions, and the people. At the time fixed
upon by law, it met in st. Paul and Gov
MEDARY was chosen President, and WIN. F.
WHEELER, Secretary of the Board. 1t con.
cluded its labors on the 18th of December,
1857, when H. H. SIBLEY was declared
elected Governor by 24O majority; w.
HoLcoMBE, Lieutenant Governor, by 1 ,165
majority, and the remainder of the Demo
cratic ticket by about the same majority.
This result was attested by the following
certificate appended to the official statement
of votes:
We hereby certify that the above Gable of
returns) exhibits the result of the General Elec-
ton, held on the 18th of October, 1857. for and
against the Constitution; and for officers elect.
ed under the provisions of the State .Constitu-
ton by the State at large, as canvassed by the
Board of Canvassers designated in the COnsti.
tuition. S.,MEDARY,
THOS. j. GALBRAITH,
JOSEPH K. BROWN.
Board Of CanUGSsers.
Attest:
WM. F. WHEELER, Secretary of the Board.
ST. PAUL, Dec. II, 1857.
In the PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT, of Deem
Der 18th, 1857, we published a carefully
prepared article on the subject of the de.
cision arrived at by the Board, and which
we reproduce below. 1t is plain, truthful
and convincing statement, in support of the
action of Messrs. GALBRA1TH, MEDARY and
Brown, and although published two years
ago, and with all this cry Of fraud inter-
vening, it has never been controverted:
"In another column, our readers will find
an elaborate table, containing the official
canvass of votes cast for State officers and
Members of Congress, at the election held
in Minnesota, in October. The canvassing
board consisted of Governor Medary and j.
r. Brown, (Democrats,) and Thomas j.
Galbraith, (Republican.) The labors of
the Board were completed on Thursday
evening, and the certificate signed, annexed
to the table. The official result shows ma
ority for Mr.. Sibley of 24O over Ramsey,
and also an unexpected state of the Con-
gressional vote, Mr.. George L. Becker being
lowest on the list instead of highest, as an
cicipated.
upon the meeting of the Board, and a
cursory examination of the returns, the
became satisfied that unless rule
was adopted, fixing the basis upon which the
election of State officers, should be deter
mined, their labors would prove endless.
We quote from the minutes of the Board,
now open for the inspection of the public, at
the Secretary's office the following proceed
ngs, which transpired on the thirteenth of
December
"Mr. Brown, DemocraD said it was neces.
sary that the Board should adopt some rule by
which the canvass should be made. and the re-
suit declared and thereupon offered the follow
ng resolution:
Resolved, That the votes returned from the
several counties by the proper canvassing Off
,ers, together with returns from precincts, the
of which the Board have been
egally informed, shall form the basis upon
which the election of State officers shall be de-
,lared by the Coard of Canvassers. @
Mr.. Galbrath (Republcan) offered the fol-
owing as substitute, or amendment to Mr..
Browns resolution.
ResolUed, That the duly canvassed returns
rom the several counties be adopted as the |
,ass OF calculation by the Board of Canvas
ers. 9il 81. .a l1
This substitute was adopted; Mr.. Galbraith |
md the chairman, Gov. Medary) voting for it,
md MIR. Brown against .e /
The adoption of Mr. Galbrath's substitute |