St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-04

real character of Willis A. German,
once governor of Minnesota, by any
Pen Picture they may read of him, however
accurate it is, for he was so peculiar in his
makeup that it needed a personal acquain
lance with the man TO fully appreciate his
somewhat remarkable career, as well as his
singular characteristics.
WHEN BORN, ETC.
He was born in Kentucky in 1916; re-
ceiyed common school education and then
studied law, and was admitted to the bar at
the age of twenty years; removed to Indiana
in 1915 and began the practice of his profess
sion; elected a member of the Legislature at
the age of twenty-three years; filled the posi-
ton several terms; was elected Major OF a
battalion of rihemen soon after the breaking
out Of the Mexican war and took promi-
nent part in the battle OF Buena Vista; was
mustered out in lS47; recruited q regiment
for the Mexican campaign, of which he was
elected Colonel, and with his men fought
CALAMITY until the close of the war; in 1919
was elected a member of Congress
from Indiana ;-re-elected in 1851, eoutn-
uing in Congress four years; was APP
pointed Governor of Minnesota by President
Pierce, and succeeded Gov. Ramsey, and re-
manned in office up 10 1851; resumed the
practice Of law this year and became a mem
Der of the Constitutional Convention; was 4
candidate the same year for United States
Senator;-on the breaking out of the civil
war in 1861, he was appointed Colonel of the
First regiment of Minnesota; alter the battle
of Bull Run was promoted to the position of
Brigadier General, and held this position
until 1864, when be was mustered out of the
service and returned to st. Paul and resumed
the practice of his profession with G. X.
Davis, when, in 1869 he was elected City At
torney, and was reelected to that office four
times, and held the position when he died.
TWO BUcKING GOVERNORS.
Just before, or about the time that Gov.
Ramsey's term expired, charges were pre-
ferred against him, that while Governor and
Ex-Ohicio Indian agent, be had violated
the law by permitting bank bills to Re paid out
instead Of gold-then the legal tender Of the
Overnment-that is. while acting for the In
dams he sent the gold with which be was to
paw the traders due from the Indians, to New
York, and received in lieu thereof, bills on
the bank Of North America, and with these
he paid the traders, not the Indians, when
be should have paid in gold. These charges
were referred to Governor German to take
testimony, and we shall never forget our first
impression OF the man, as we saw him,
''clothed with little brief authority" and
strutting tho stage like monarch of all he
surveyed. A tall, large boned young man,
named Dow, was secretary OF
the investigating committee, and from
day to DAY the testimony was received until
at last it was all in, and then German went
of into one of those peculiar Democratic IL
rades for which he was so noted, aud
in which he prophesied that Ramsey
would be totally annihilated, politically
and otherwise, but the quiet, willy,
discreet governor slipped off TO Washington
slyy and when the testimony was received
he was there TO refute 1t, and the result was
congress exonerated him entirely from all
blame. German was shocked; Ramsey was
pleased. German raved; Ramsey smiled.
The bucking prOpensities OF the Irish
American governor were met 10y the bucking
propen sites of the Scotch-Gsrman ex-
Governor, and a halt was called, and by a
sort Of mutual consent the matter was finally
dropped, ana new political issues arose to
call into action strong and vigorous opposi-
ton on the part Of these two prominent