Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-07-13
Remarks of Dr. Benj. ShurtliE lin tia
District Senatorial Convention.

We have received from friend in Shasta the
following transcript Of the remarks of DR.. Shurt-
liff before the Union Democratic Senatorial Con-
vention, held at the Tower House, Shasta county,
on the Sth inst. 1t seems that Dr.. Shurtlf was
absent from Shasta at the time the Democratic
Convention was held and the resolution which
justly gave so much ofense to the Democracy of
this county was passed. That gentleman, we are
assured, as well as majority of the people OF
Shasta, regret its passage. The Doctor, although
a candidate, dsclaims (and 80 do the delegates)
obeying or acting upon it.
After the reading Of the protest from the Trim
ity delegation, DR.. Shurtliff addressed the Con-
vention as follows:
appreciate hemotves Of my friends in the Convention
that passed the resolution which has given ohense to the
Trinity delegation. not in Shasta when the resolu
ton passed and the Senatorial delegates elected but
am there was not delegate in that Convention who
supported the resolution for the purpose of ignoring the
rights of Trinity county Ihave been informed by
delegates that such resolution was contempla ted
untn tie Convention about to ballot for Senatorial
delegates then il appeared that the ticket which my
friends desired to support had nearly all been dispaced
while the Convention flooded with other tickets SINH
lar to them with the exception of two candidates
supposed to be unfriendly to my nomination The Con
venton having just grounds for believing this to be
devised defeat its choice through deception
assed the aH resolution of instruction, not through
dscouresy the Democracy of Trinity or in derogaton
their rights with the sole view of protecting the
rights of their constituents, and preventing them
from misrepresentation in the Senatorial Convention
When two counties only TO be represented In JOINT
Convention it can not be denied that the passage OF
resolu tion of instruction. and most particularly ann
tion by the majority county, is both arbitrary and
towards the minority county If enforced
it settles irrevocaby advance the only question that
the District Convention that body alone created to
decide will therefore say to this Convention that VIII
under consideration consent to be candidate before
the nomination of Senator while the Shasta dele
gates hold themselves subject to the unit resolution of
instruction. II my is submitted to this Convention
is only with the express understanding that each dele
gate shall act untrammeled casting his vote for the
ddate he believes to be the choice of his constituents and
acceptable the wishes of the Democracy of the
entire district.
have desire to dictate what shall be the action OF
this Convention but hope will adjourn TO some future
day nasmuch as there representation present from
Trinity county If you adjourn believe the party can be
united through conference with the Trinity delegation.
No effort my part shall be spared to prevent division
in the party. BY the provisions of the Apportonment
bill pa ssed at the late session of the Legislature Shasta
and Trinity made Senatorial District 1t is probable
that the two counties will remain together in the same
district for the next years, much longer If
you go to-day and make nomination for Senator II Is
in party point of view 1t would be regular,
hut such action without attempt at reconciliation with
the Trinity delegation will result split in the party
not split of merely but for years. 1t will be the
first to turmoil strife elimination and recrminaton
between the hitherto triumphant Democracy of the two
counties Trinity mountain will be the Mason and Dixon
line of the Twenty Sixth Senatorial District while our
opponents will triumph us through the FOLLY OF our
unhappy division. Let then all honorable means
to prevent a division in the party.