Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-05-10
senator Morton In Self.Defense.
WAsHISGToN, May 3.

WASHINGTON, May 3.
In the Senate this morning, after reports
from various committees were received, Mr..
Morton arose to personal explanation. He
had read an article recently published in the
New York World, in regard to $25O0O0 re-
ccived by him from the General Government
while he was Governor Of Indiana, out OF the
appropriation Of $2,0OO,000 To pay the ex-
pcnses OF transporting and delivery Of arms,
etc, TO loyal citizens in the States in the Re-
bellion. He said:
Mr. President. the President of the United
States in the spring Of 1853 advanced 10 me $3.50
coo to enable me TO carry forward military opera
tons in the =. ate OF Indiana Ofthis sum expeDd
ed $1333 o2 In the services Of the State, and with
which charged the State in my settlement with
1t, aud the remaining $ll6,69s were not expended.
This amount returned TO the Treasury OF the
United States, as is shown by the following youch
or and receipt. -
rThe official voucher and receipt were here
given by Mr.. Morton.
From these vouchers It will appear that the
whole sum Of $500 600 was accounted for and re-
paid to the Government
II will be proper in this connection to state the
cfrcums tances under which the 10000 were ad
yanccd to me by the President, and the uses
made of II, IN show that II was not misappiied.
At the October election In 1852 in Indiana, The
Democrats carried the State by majority of
over 10 600, elccting large majority In each
branch OF the Legislature and their candidates
for State officers. The Democrats had the Legis-
aurc all the State officers, and the Judges of
the Supreme Court, and Possessed the whole
power Ia the State Government except the Elk
eculive. When the Legislature assembled In
the first week In January, 1863, its conduct was
characterized by the most intense hostility to the
Administration aud To the prosecution of the
war. | sent my messages TO the two Houses on
the second day OF the session. The Senate re-
coiyed read and printed IL in the usual way.
The Hon-e refused to receive 1t, and directed the
Clerk to return 1t to me, and on the next day
adopted resolution approving the message OF
Gov. Seymour, OF New YORK. The revolution
AIRY policy thus inauguraed was pursued with
increased violence and open disregard of consti-
tutona, obligations The time was chiefly con
aumcd by the introduction OF disloyal rosoiu-
tions the utteranccs Of factious and reasonable
sentiments intended to excite the people against
the Government and destroy its power to sup
press the Rebellion.
on the 18th OF February bill was introduced
into the House which was intended to strip me,
M Governor, OF al military power In the State.
II provided that all arms should be placed In the
custody OF the Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary and
Attorney General OF the State To be issued or dis
posed of only by them II deprived the Governor
of all power 10 call out the militia for amy pur-
pose whatever, Ii provided that all officers of
militia should he appointed and commissioned by
these four State officers, and not by the Governor,
as required by the Constitution of the state. IL
provided for the repeal of the existing Militia
law the dissolution OF all brigades, regiments and
companies formed under that law, the surrender
of their arms into the hands OF agents to he ep.
pointed by the four state officers, and rendered
nun and void all outstanding commissions. In
short this bill ransferred to the four State officers
the military power which was vested in the GOV.
ernor by the Constitution, was revolutionary and
unconstitutional IN every feature, ana intended Tor
disovai purposes. The bin was ordered 10 he
cngrosscd and read third time by strict party
vote.
seven plain and vital provisions Ct the State Con
s,itution, and snbvertod entirely the scheme Of
government invented by the trainers OF that in-
rlrument Its passage would have been an act
pf ~ al attended
| anG a collision with the Government of he United
| States. II had become manifest that The DEM
| oeratic members of the Legislature were deter
mined to pass the bill at all hazards, which would
| Internationally have resulted In civil war.
| could not and would not surrender my powers as
| Governor under the Constitution; nor could the
| Government of the United States afford to have
| me do go for the purpose of the proceeding WAS
| Ia nnutraiAe the position OF Indiana In the war,
and to take her out OF the line OF the loyal States
| northwest of the Ohio River. The very tendency
| OF the hill, and the ayowed purpose 10 pass ii,
| caused the most intense comment ant NJ once
! threatened the Peace and safety OF the State. |
| could veto the hill but simple majority could
| pass II over the veto. so that would amount IL
nothing. The Republicans had barely enongh
| members in the House of Representatives To break
| a quorum and break up the Legislature. Consult.
| atoms we're held with the Republican members
| of the Legislature and leading Republic AN
| citizens from different parts Of the State, who
were summoned for that purpose, and II was the
deliberate judgment of all, In which mine fully
coucurred, that the passage of the oil, would in
| ynlyc the Stale IA civil war, The Republican
| mcmbers of the House. therefore, withdrew from
the body 90 prevent the tnat passage OF the bill.
All the appropriation bills 10 carry on the State
Government, except one In pay The per aem and
| mileage OF the members, had been kept behind
| this Nj itarN bill, 50 thar VII II the Legislature
adjourned there were no appropriations made for
any civil or military pu poses, There WAS plenty
of money in the State Treasury but II Mas loo ked
| against me. | made an appeal 10 the people Of
the state setting forth the situation, aud A. king
! them so furnish me with money TO carry CA The
| State Government. to support the militia, ana to
| organize troops for the nittd STATES, The
| County commissioners IN the county Of Marion,
in which the Capital Is located, came forward
| and advanced me SSN,oN out et the Coanty Ttess.
| ury This example WAS followed by many other
| counties In The State, by several banks, railroad
| companies and by individuals, Ontil large sum
! OF money had been raised,
Under the Constitution the Legislature met but
once In two years, unless convened IN extra ses.
| sion by the Governor, and the next session IN
Sa6fsv s.uEia 10: aec.n antii January, l>Sa After
obtaining all the money ccald moan the counties
I and other sources, | made 4 cNlCu alton, and
found that would lack about $3.50 0 to carry
me through % January. 1855, and, 10 make my
position secure, | came To Washington To see IL
coGld not obtain that amount from the Govern
rent Of the United States After careful re-
view II the situation nv the President MIR. Ian
Cnlnl Snd Secretary Of War Mr.. Stantonl, the
President advanced me the sum OF S-,oN0
They both agreed that Indiana Mss Threatened
With rebellion, aud thai the condition q! iht
state came directly within the letter au6 spilit %
toC acl ui Congress approved JUiN 81, lsot, MI
station declared Ia ihv President With great en-
phsSis that i- Indiana lost her position A. iJya
SlAtt, she urSl Success - the government M
| supprvs-luE Be rebellion would ho endangered
and ;Est The GoNtyumvu. must De sustained Al
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