Daily national Democrat., 1861-07-12
The Quarrel at the Mint.

An examination into the GROSS charge of
assault and battery, between G. Wiegand,
Assaver at the Mint, and Edward Harte. an
appointee in the same institution by Mr..
Stevens. Superintendent of the Mint, was had
at o'clock Wednesday afternoon, before
Judge Cowles, at the Police Court. Both
cases were tried together The proceedings
were of an interesting character. Messrs
Staply and Clements defended Mr.. Wiegand,
and Messrs Tingley and Love appeared for
MIR. Harte Besides which Mr.. Harte took
an active part in his own behalf, making sew
ernl sreeehes. The discussion took wide
range. Secession got some hard knocks, and
the political ahinities Of the parties immedi-
ately interested were frequently alluded to-
Hr. Harte said he was Republican. Mr.
Stanley said, SO was his client; but for him
self he has mot got so high up in the church."
The chief question turned upon the legality
OF Mr. Hartes appointment, and documents
were referred to on the question.
Mr.. Stanly, at an early stage Of the pro-
ceedings tried to show that the Court had
not jurisdiction in the matter, as the alleged
assault by Wiegand was committed on prop
erty ceded to the United States, and over
which the Federal Government had absolute
control The opposing counsel showed that
the offence was committed in the city and
county of San Francisco, and argued that be-
cause thereof the Police and not the United
States Court was the proper tribunal TO ad-
iudicate it. Though both parties were on
trial. Wiegand appeared more in the position
of defendant. His counsel argued that the
office held by him Icing a responsible one,
and for the discharge of the duties of which
he had to give heavy bonds, it was no more
than right that he should have the power to
say who should be in his office. inasmuch as
he WAS responsible for their acts. He looked
upon Mr.. Harte as an obtruder, and in placing
his hands upon him and ordering him to
leave, he wac not guilty of an assault and
battery according to California law
Mr.. Love insisted that it was no part of
the duty of the Assayer to assault people. He
objected to MIR. Harte not because of his in
ability but really because his appointment
would remove from office an olG personal and
political friend
Mr.. Harte declared that in resisting the as
sault made upon him by Mr.. Wiegand, he
exercised only right which he saw Mr.
Stanly once exercise.
Mr.. Stanly-N OF in the Mint.
Mr.. Harte No, it was in a higher place.
Mr.. Harte is supposed to have here allu-
ded to a, difficulty that occurred in Washing
ton, years ago, when Mr.. Stanly was a mem
Der of the U. S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina.-Reporter.
Mr.. Stanly-O. well, that is not before this
Police Court now
Mr.. Harte-I was only showing the right
Of the act.
During the discussion Mr.. Stany compl
mented Mr. Harte asa hard working Repub-
lican, who deserved something better from
his party than the position to which he hac
been appointed. Mr.. IIarte endorsed thi.
opinion with attractive emphasis.
The debate-for such it might be termed
was of very desultory character, and fire.
quenty became amusing enough to excite
laughter. Both parties, through their coun-
sci denied all feelings of vindictiveness.-
They only sought protection" Mr.. Vie
gand and Mr.. Harte are both men of nervous
temperament-a fact which they made very
apparent throughout the proceedings. The
Court adjourned at 81 o'clock without render
ing any decision Messrs Harte and Wiegand
were permitted to depart on their own recog-
nizanccs.--S. f. Alta.